Carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli (CRE) with a multidrug resistant phenotype was isolated from four clinically ill dogs treated with meropenem in different local animal hospitals between 2017 and 2019. IncX3-type plasmids of ca. 46 kb in size carrying bla_NDM-5 were present in all CRE strains and their transconjugants. High genetic similarity (>90%) by PFGE analysis was observed among the CRE strains, which were identified as ST410.To the best of our knowledge, bla_NDM-5-producing E. coli ST410 clones are emerging sporadically in companion dogs treated with meropenem. The spread of Enterobacteriaceae harboring the NDM-5 gene in companion animals can pose a threat to public health; therefore, extensive monitoring in veterinary hospitals using carbapenem and careful antibiotic use are crucial for managing and monitoring these resistant strains.

To Cite This Article: Oh JY, Sum S, Song WK, Chae JC and Park HM, 2020. Emergence of bla_NDM-5-producing Escherichia coli ST410 in companion dogs treated with meropenem. Pak Vet J, 40(4): 534-536. http://pvj.com.pk/pdf-files/40_4/534-536.pdf