Evaluation of the Resistance Profile of Bacteria Obtained From Infected Sites of Dogs in a Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Brazil: A Retrospective Study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profile of bacterial species isolated from infected sites of canines. All samples were collected from canine patients who received clinical or surgical care at the veterinary teaching hospital between March 2016 and November 2017. The samples were analyzed in a private pathology laboratory. A descriptive analysis of 295 antimicrobial susceptibility test reports was performed. Staphylococcus spp. (104/295 [35.25%]), Escherichia coli (100/295 [33.90%]), Proteus spp. (44/295 [14.92%]), Pseudomonas spp. (25/295 [8.47%]), and Klebsiella spp. (20/295 [6.78%]) were more frequently isolated, and a high incidence of multidrug resistance was observed (69,83% [206/295]). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus spp. accounted for 33% (33/100) of the Staphylococcus strains. Enterobacteriaceae cefotaxime resistance constituted 22.82 ± 4.49% and Enterobacteriaceae imipenem resistance constituted 5% (1/20) for Klebsiella spp., 5% (5/100) for E coli, and 6.82% (3/44) for Proteus spp. Pseudomonas spp. strains accounted for 8% (2/25) of imipenem resistance and 45.45% (10/22) of polymyxin B resistance. Our findings revealed a high rate of multidrug-resistant bacteria involvement in the infectious process of dogs. From the perspective of the One Health scenario, our results showed alarming data, given the high risk of resistant-strain dissemination between animals, owners, and healthcare professionals. There is an urgent need for strategies to control and prevent the evolution of new multidrug-resistant bacteria in veterinary hospitals. It is also crucial to understand and emphasize the role of veterinary professionals in this public health battle.