TY - JOUR

T1 - Fecal Shedding of Multidrug Resistant Escherichia coli Isolates in Dogs Fed with Raw Meat-Based Diets in Brazil

AU - Ramos, Carolina Pantuzza

AU - Kamei, Carolina Yumi Iceri

AU - Viegas, Flávia Mello

AU - de Melo Barbieri, Jonata

AU - Cunha, João Luís Reis

AU - Hounmanou, Yaovi Mahuton Gildas

AU - Coura, Fernanda Morcatti

AU - Santana, Jordana Almeida

AU - Lobato, Francisco Carlos Faria

AU - Bojesen, Anders Miki

AU - Silva, Rodrigo Otávio Silveira

PY - 2022

Y1 - 2022

N2 - The practice of feeding dogs raw meat-based diets (RMBDs) is growing in several countries, and the risks associated with the ingestion of pathogenic and antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli in dogs fed these diets are largely unknown. We characterized E. coli strains isolated from dogs fed either an RMBD or a conventional dry feed, according to the phylogroup, virulence genes, and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of the bacteria. Two hundred and sixteen E. coli strains were isolated. Dogs fed RMBDs shed E. coli strains from the phylogroup E more frequently and were positive for the E. coli heat-stable enterotoxin 1-encoding gene. Isolates from RMBD-fed dogs were also frequently positive for multidrug-resistant E. coli isolates including extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producers. Whole-genome sequencing of seven ESBL-producing E. coli strains revealed that they predominantly harbored blaCTX-M-55, and two strains were also positive for the colistin-resistant gene mcr-1. These results suggest that feeding an RMBD can affect the dog's microbiota, change the frequency of certain phylogroups, and increase the shedding of diarrheagenic E. coli. Also, feeding an RMBD seemed to be linked with the fecal shedding of multidrug-resistant E. coli, including the spread of strains harboring mobilizable colistin resistance and ESBL genes. This finding is of concern for both animal and human health.

AB - The practice of feeding dogs raw meat-based diets (RMBDs) is growing in several countries, and the risks associated with the ingestion of pathogenic and antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli in dogs fed these diets are largely unknown. We characterized E. coli strains isolated from dogs fed either an RMBD or a conventional dry feed, according to the phylogroup, virulence genes, and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of the bacteria. Two hundred and sixteen E. coli strains were isolated. Dogs fed RMBDs shed E. coli strains from the phylogroup E more frequently and were positive for the E. coli heat-stable enterotoxin 1-encoding gene. Isolates from RMBD-fed dogs were also frequently positive for multidrug-resistant E. coli isolates including extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producers. Whole-genome sequencing of seven ESBL-producing E. coli strains revealed that they predominantly harbored blaCTX-M-55, and two strains were also positive for the colistin-resistant gene mcr-1. These results suggest that feeding an RMBD can affect the dog's microbiota, change the frequency of certain phylogroups, and increase the shedding of diarrheagenic E. coli. Also, feeding an RMBD seemed to be linked with the fecal shedding of multidrug-resistant E. coli, including the spread of strains harboring mobilizable colistin resistance and ESBL genes. This finding is of concern for both animal and human health.

U2 - 10.3390/antibiotics11040534

DO - 10.3390/antibiotics11040534

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 35453285

VL - 11

JO - Antibiotics

JF - Antibiotics

SN - 2079-6382

IS - 4

M1 - 534

ER -