Virulence genotypes and phylogenetic background of fluoroquinolone-resistant and susceptible Escherichia coli urine isolates from dogs with urinary tract infection

Vet Microbiol. 2009 Apr 14;136(1-2):108-14. doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2008.10.006. Epub 2008 Oct 15.

Abstract

The origins and virulence potential of fluoroquinolone-resistant (FQ-R) Escherichia coli from dogs with urinary tract infection (UTI) are undefined. Therefore, fluoroquinolone-resistant (n=38) or susceptible (n=62) E. coli urine isolates from dogs with UTI were characterized for phylogenetic group (A, B1, B2, D) and 61 virulence-associated genes by multiplex PCR, then were compared according to these characteristics. Compared with fluoroquinolone-susceptible (FQ-S) isolates, the fluoroquinolone-resistant isolates exhibited significantly lower prevalences for most virulence genes studied (albeit higher prevalences for several, including iutA: aerobactin receptor), significantly fewer virulence genes per isolate, and shifts away from virulence-associated group B2. Nonetheless, 26% of fluoroquinolone-resistant isolates qualified as extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC), suggesting possible human virulence potential. The findings call into question whether the fluoroquinolone-resistant E. coli encountered in dogs arise through conversion of fluoroquinolone-susceptible canine resident strains to resistance, or instead are imported from an external source. They also identify dogs as a possible reservoir of drug-resistant ExPEC for transmission to other pets and humans.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • DNA, Bacterial / chemistry
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • Dog Diseases / microbiology*
  • Dog Diseases / urine
  • Dogs
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial / genetics
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Escherichia coli / pathogenicity
  • Escherichia coli / physiology*
  • Escherichia coli Infections / drug therapy
  • Escherichia coli Infections / microbiology
  • Escherichia coli Infections / veterinary*
  • Fluoroquinolones / pharmacology*
  • Genotype
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Phylogeny
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
  • Principal Component Analysis
  • Urinary Tract Infections / microbiology
  • Urinary Tract Infections / urine
  • Urinary Tract Infections / veterinary*
  • Virulence

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • DNA, Bacterial
  • Fluoroquinolones