Identificación de betalactamasas de espectro extendido en heces de felinos en dos clínicas veterinarias de la ciudad de Machala, 2023.

Abstract

The extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (BLEE) producing enterobacteria mainly represented by Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. whose characterization is the hydroxylation of betalactam antibiotics and the associated risk of colonization of these enterobacteria between humans and animals. This research focused on the detection of extended spectrum beta-lactamases (BLEE) in felines through samples obtained by rectal swabbing and identified on BLEE chromogenic agar, using the double disc test methodology to evaluate antibiotic resistance. Where 106 feline fecal samples were collected, 34.9% (37) of samples were determined as BLEE positive, the highest rate was in cats from 2 to 3 years of age, being E. coli one of the main etiological agents most recorded in the processed samples compared to Klebsiella spp. These findings suggest a significant prevalence of BLEE in felines, which highlights the importance of surveillance and control of antibiotic resistance in animal health. To identify positive BLEE, the standards established by CLSI (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute) in the 2023 protocol were used to determine the cut-off points for antibiotic resistance and sensitivity. This research confirms the presence of resistant bacteria in animals, expanding the scope of BLEEs, which were originally found only in humans. It highlights a growing problem of bacterial resistance that may be multifactorial, not limited to a single factor.