High β-lactam resistance in Gram-negative bacteria associated with kennel cough and cat flu in Egypt

Antimicrobial resistance within pets has gained worldwide attention due to pets close contact with humans. This report examined at the molecular level, the antimicrobial resistance mechanisms associated with kennel cough and cat flu. 1378 pets in total were assessed for signs of respiratory infection, and nasal and conjunctival swabs were collected across 76 diseased animals. Phenotypically, 27% of the isolates were characterized by multidrug resistance and possessed high levels of resistance rates to β-lactams. Phenotypic ESBLs/AmpCs production were identified within 40.5% and 24.3% of the isolates, respectively. Genotypically, ESBL- and AmpC-encoding genes were detected in 33.8% and 10.8% of the isolates, respectively, with bla(SHV) comprising the most identified ESBL, and bla(CMY) and bla(ACT) present as the AmpC with the highest levels. qnr genes were identified in 64.9% of the isolates, with qnrS being the most prevalent (44.6%). Several antimicrobial resistance determinants were detected for the first time within pets from Africa, including bla(CTX-M-37), bla(CTX-M-156), bla(SHV-11), bla(ACT-23), bla(ACT25/31), bla(DHA-1), and bla(CMY-169). Our results revealed that pets displaying symptoms of respiratory illness are potential sources for pathogenic microbes possessing unique resistance mechanisms which could be disseminated to humans, thus leading to the development of severe untreatable infections in these hosts.