P-016 SURVEY OF DRUG-RESISTANT BACTERIA IN SHELTER DOGS TO PREVENT OCCUPATIONAL TRANSMISSION OF DRUG-RESISTANT BACTERIA FROM COMPANION ANIMAL CARE SERVICES

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Introduction</jats:title> <jats:p>The spread of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria has become a global public health concern. In human medicine, certain standard precautions are taken to prevent the transmission of pathogens from hosts to healthcare workers and other patients. As antimicrobial agents are also used in companion animal medicine, dogs and cats are considered reservoirs of drug-resistant bacteria. Preventive measures against occupational transmission of resistant bacteria to veterinarians, veterinary nurses, and animal shelter staff are insufficient in Japan. Furthermore, while the status of resistant bacteria in animal hospitals is gradually becoming clearer, information on bacteria in animal shelters remains limited. Therefore, we conducted a survey to determine the prevalence of drug-resistant bacteria in shelter dogs.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Methods</jats:title> <jats:p>Fecal samples were collected from 138 shelter dogs housed in two facilities in the Kanto region, Escherichia coli were isolated, and their susceptibility to 20 different antibiotics was evaluated.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Results and Discussion</jats:title> <jats:p>In 22% of dogs, E. coli were resistant to at least one antibiotic. Antimicrobial agents for which resistant strains were detected included ampicillin, cefotaxime, streptomycin, tetracycline, and ciprofloxacin. Multidrug-resistant E. coli were detected in 13% of dogs, and analysis of resistance genes revealed β-lactamase genes (TEM, DHA-1, CTX-M), quinolone resistance protein genes, and quinolone resistance-determining region mutations. The findings of this study highlight the potential exposure to drug-resistant organisms that pose a health hazard in work environments associated with the protection of companion dogs.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Conclusion</jats:title> <jats:p>Appropriate infection prevention measures are accordingly necessary to reduce the risk of occupational infections and to control the spread of resistant bacteria to other dogs.</jats:p> </jats:sec>