Isolation of Third-Generation Cephalosporin-Resistant Escherichia coli in Six Dogs

Abstract

Escherichia coli that showed resistance to third-generation cephalosporin (3rd CEP) was isolated from two dogs with pyoderma, a dog with subcutaneous abscess, a dog with surgical site infection, a dog with anal sac infection, and a dog with cystitis admitted to an animal hospital between March and December, 2011. The 3rd CEP-resistant E. coli isolates were also resistant to penicillins, cephalosporins, and monobactams; and susceptible to latamoxef, meropenem, and amikacin. Although five of six (83%) 3rd CEP-resistant E. coli strains were susceptible to fosfomycin (FOM), 83% were resistant to levofloxacin. All cases infected with 3rd CEP-resistant E. coli were resolved after administration of an oral antimicrobial drug such as FOM that showed efficacy. Recognition of 3rd CEP-resistant E. coli in dogs is also important in public health issues, and attention needs to be paid to the existence of 3rd CEP-resistant E. coli in animal hospitals.