High-level gentamicin-resistant and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium isolated from a wound in a dog

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Microbiology

Background:

• Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Enterococcus faecium poses significant challenges in human healthcare settings.
• The emergence of MDR pathogens in companion animals is an increasing concern.
• Enterococcus faecium is a common bacterium found in the gastrointestinal tract of animals and humans.

Observation:

• This report details the first documented clinical case in Europe of a dog infected with high-level gentamicin-resistant and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (GRev-VREfm).
• The dog presented with clinical signs consistent with a bacterial infection.
• Diagnostic testing confirmed the presence of the specific MDR Enterococcus faecium strain.

Findings:

• The isolated Enterococcus faecium strain exhibited resistance to both high-level gentamicin and vancomycin.
• This specific GRev-VREfm strain was identified as the causative agent of the infection in the canine patient.
• The resistance profile indicates a significant public health concern due to the limited treatment options.

Implications:

• This case serves as a critical alert to the veterinary profession regarding the presence of GRev-VREfm in companion animals.
• There is a potential for similar MDR Enterococcus faecium strains to impact veterinary medicine, mirroring issues in human healthcare.
• Further surveillance and infection control measures are warranted in veterinary settings to mitigate the spread of antimicrobial resistance.