Antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli in cats and their drinking water: drug resistance profiles and antimicrobial-resistant genes

Background Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health concern that is exacerbated by the transmission of bacteria and genetic material between humans, animals and the environment. This study investigated AMR of Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolated from cats' feces and their drinking water. The study compared the AMR of fecal and environmental E. coli isolates from pet cats. Results A total of 104 samples (52 cat feces and 52 cat drinking water samples) was cultured for E. coli. The study compared the AMR of fecal and environmental E. coli isolates from pet cats. An analysis of carbapenemase and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli genes (blaTEM, blaSHV and blaCTX-M) and phylogroups of E. coli was also performed. E. coli was identified from all fecal (100%) and almost half of drinking water (44.2%) samples. All E. coli isolate was susceptible to amikacin or imipenem. Clindamycin showed the highest resistance rate. beta-lactam was the most found with co-resistance profiles, comprising beta-lactams with aminoglycosides, quinolones, sulfonamides, macrolides or carbapenems. Very strong positive correlations of bactericidal agents were found among quinolones (r > 0.8, p < 0.01). Within the group of bacteriostatic agents, moderate correlation was observed between azithromycin and sulfa-trimethoprim (r = 0.5253, p < 0.01). Carbapenemase gene was not detected in this study. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing E. coli genes (blaTEM, blaSHV and blaCTX-M) were identified in E. coli isolates, with blaTEM being the most predominant. Furthermore, phylogroup B2 was the dominant segregation among the E. coli, particularly in fecal isolates. Conclusions This study identified AMRin E. coli isolated from cats' feces and their drinking water. The results revealed that the phylogroup B2 was predominant, with blaTEM being the most widespread ESBL gene.