Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase Producing in Healthy Community Dogs in Israel

Background: antimicrobial resistance is a global problem in human and veterinary medicine. We aimed to investigate the extended spectrum β-lactamase-producing (ESBL-PE) gut colonization in healthy community dogs in Israel.

Methods: Rectal swabs were sampled from 145 healthy dogs, enriched, plated on selective plates, sub-cultured to obtain pure cultures, and ESBL production was confirmed. Bacterial species and antibiotic susceptibility profiles were identified. WGS was performed on all of the ESBL-PE isolates and their resistomes were identified in silico. Owners' questionnaires were collected for risk factor analysis.

Results: ESBL-PE gut colonization rate was 6.2% ( = 9/145, 95% CI 2.9-11.5). Overall, ten isolates were detected (one dog had two isolates); the main species was (eight isolates), belonging to diverse phylogenetic groups-B1, A and C. Two isolates were identified as , and . A phylogenetic analysis indicated that all of the isolates were genetically unrelated and sporadic. The isolates possessed diverse ESBL genes and antibiotic-resistance gene content, suggesting independent ESBL spread. In a multivariable risk factor analysis, coprophagia was identified as a risk factor for ESBL-PE gut colonization ( = 0.048, aOR = 4.408, 95% CI 1.014-19.169).

Conclusions: healthy community dogs may be colonized with ESBL-PE MDR strains, some of which were previously reported in humans, that carry wide and diverse resistomes and may serve as a possible source for AMR.