Antibiotikaresistens hos bakterier isolerade från friska hundar i Sverige : indikatorbakterier E. coli & Enterococcus spp samt Staphylococcus spp isolerade från hud

Abstract: Objective: To determine the frequency of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria from healthy Swedish dogs and whether they are carriers of methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Material: Samples from skin from the perineal region and from faeces collected in the anus with cottonswab (Copan) from 299 healthy Swedish dogs. Samples were collected at dog exhibitions. Method: Specimens were submitted for bacterial culture where bacteria (Escherichia coli, enterococci and staphylococci) were isolated and identified by current methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed with a microdilution method where MIC-values were determined. Staphylococci with high degree of resistance were tested for presence of mecA-gene by PCR. Results: Looking at the whole material there were no difference in antimicrobial resistance compared with food-producing animals. No difference in resistance regarding age could be detected. Ampicillin and sulfametoxazole showed a higher degree of resistance in E. coli-isolates from dogs that had been treated with antibiotics during the last 12 months compared to non-treated dogs. One isolate of E. coli showed resistance against the third generation cephalosporines. A difference in species distribution was seen for enterococci between dogs, pigs and chickens. One methicillinresistant Staphylococcus intermedius (MRSI) was isolated which is the first isolate of this kind from a dog in Sweden. Compared with clinical S. intermedius-isolates from dogs there was a tendency of overall less resistance in the dogs in this study. On the other hand there was a tendency of a higher resistance compared to a small Swedish study performed ten years ago.