Characterisation of Haemolytic Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Isolated From Dogs and Cats

Escherichia (E.) coli is the primary cause of urinary tract infections in companion animals.

Therefore, the present study aimed to characterise antimicrobial resistance profiles, virulence-associated genes, and phylogenetic diversity of E. coli with haemolytic colony morphology isolated from urine samples of cats and dogs during routine diagnostic activities, which have not been characterised previously in Austria.

A total of 51 isolates were included from dogs (n = 32) and cats (n = 19) and characterised by a polyphasic approach, including susceptibility testing and DNA microarray-based assays. In addition, all isolates were analysed using two-locus fumC and fimH sequence typing (CH-clonotyping) and E. coli phylotyping.

The majority of E. coli isolates belonged to phylogenetic group B2, with one isolate assigned to phylogenetic group B1. Thirty-four CH-clonotypes were detected using two-locus sequence typing. All isolates detected could be classified as ExPEC.

The identification of clonal complexes common to humans indicates interspecies transmission, thereby emphasising the critical need for surveillance in companion animal populations.