Emergence of Virulent Extensively Drug-Resistant Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci Among Diarrheic Pet Animals: A Possible Public Health Threat on the Move.

Publisher: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 100965525 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1557-7759 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 15303667 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis Subsets: MEDLINE

Original Publication: Larchmont, NY : Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., [2001-

Cat Diseases*/microbiology ; Cat Diseases*/epidemiology ; Dog Diseases*/microbiology ; Dog Diseases*/epidemiology ; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections*/veterinary ; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections*/microbiology ; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections*/epidemiology ; Pets*/microbiology ; Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci*/genetics ; Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci*/isolation & purification; Animals ; Cats ; Dogs ; Diarrhea/microbiology ; Diarrhea/veterinary ; Diarrhea/epidemiology ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; Humans ; Enterococcus faecium/genetics ; Enterococcus faecium/isolation & purification ; Enterococcus faecium/drug effects ; Enterococcus faecalis/genetics ; Enterococcus faecalis/drug effects ; Enterococcus faecalis/isolation & purification ; Virulence ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics ; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial ; Public Health

Background: Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have become an increasing public health concern in the past few decades, being associated with serious multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections. This study was conducted to investigate the role of diarrheic pet animals as potential reservoirs for virulent extensively drug-resistant (XDR) VRE and their threat on human health. Materials and Methods: Rectal swabs were collected from 153 diarrheic pet animals (80 dogs and 73 cats). The collected swabs were cultured on CHROMagar ^TM VRE for the isolation of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium , and then suspected colonies were identified as enterococci after Gram staining, conventional biochemical tests, and molecular techniques. VRE were basically identified using the disk diffusion method; however, molecular identification of vanA and vanB genes was carried out among confirmed VRE isolates. Moreover, three virulence genes (cytolysin A, cylA ; enterococcal surface protein, esp ; and hyaluronidase, hyl ) were investigated in VRE isolates. Thereafter, VRE strains that harbored virulence genes were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility. Results: Eighteen out of 153 animals (11.8%) were positive for VRE, which were obtained from 15% and 8.2% of the examined dogs and cats, respectively. None of the obtained isolates carried the vanA gene, whereas the vanB gene was detected in E. faecalis (4/10) with a prevalence rate (40%). Of the obtained VRE isolates, five possessed esp and/or cylA , while all strains were negative for the hyl gene. Furthermore, four virulent VRE isolates exhibited an XDR pattern, and one isolate was MDR. Conclusion: Diarrheic pet animals could represent a potential zoonotic reservoir for virulent XDR vancomycin-resistant E. faecalis , which may have serious public health implications.

Keywords: XDR; cats; dogs; vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE); virulence genes

0 (Anti-Bacterial Agents)
0 (Bacterial Proteins)

Date Created: 20240527 Date Completed: 20240903 Latest Revision: 20240903

20240904

10.1089/vbz.2023.0167

38800841