Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance trends among vaginal bacteria isolates from pregnant bitches
Nadežda Tešin
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
Search for more papers by this authorIvan Stančić
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
Search for more papers by this authorDragana Tekić
Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
Search for more papers by this authorAleksandar Ačanski
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Zorana Kovačević
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
Correspondence
Zorana Kovačević, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 8, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorNadežda Tešin
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
Search for more papers by this authorIvan Stančić
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
Search for more papers by this authorDragana Tekić
Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
Search for more papers by this authorAleksandar Ačanski
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Zorana Kovačević
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
Correspondence
Zorana Kovačević, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 8, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Many of the reproductive tract infections in the bitches are caused by bacteria that can normally be present on the vaginal mucosa. These bacteria also might have an important role as the cause responsible for pregnancy loss and fetal deaths. The choice of antibiotic therapy for the pregnant animal is narrow and represents a severe problem in veterinary practice, especially due to increased antimicrobial resistance. Due to incorrect antimicrobials use in breeding kennels, the aim of the present study was to assess the occurrence of the bacterial flora isolated from the pregnant bitches and their antibiotic sensitivity. The study was carried out at the private Veterinary clinic in Novi Sad, Serbia. The vaginal swabs were taken from 60 bitches diagnosed with pregnancy and were sent to be laboratory tested. Based on the results, the most common isolated pathogens were Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (20%) and beta-hemolytic streptococci (18.33%). Furthermore, significant resistance to antibiotics from beta-lactams group was detected. It is of particular importance that antimicrobial treatment be evidence based in order to reduce the overuse of antimicrobials due to increased concern regarding antimicrobial resistance.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT
None of the authors have any conflict of interest to declare.
Open Research
DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT
The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
REFERENCES
- Badawy, S., Yang, Y., Liu, Y., Marawan, M. A., Ares, I., Martinez, M.-A., … Martínez, M. (2021). Toxicity induced by ciprofloxacin and enrofloxacin: Oxidative stress and metabolism. Critical Reviews in Toxicology, 51(9), 754–787.
- Banchi, P., Colitti, B., del Carro, A., Corrò, M., Bertero, A., Ala, U., del Carro, A., van Soom, A., Bertolotti, L., & Rota, A. (2023). Challenging the hypothesis of in utero microbiota acquisition in healthy canine and feline pregnancies at term: Preliminary data. Veterinary Sciences, 10(5), 331.
- Barsanti, J. (2012). Genitourinary infections. In C. E. Greene (Ed.), Infectious disease of the dog and cat (Vol. 4, pp. 1013–1044). Elsevier Saunders.
- Bassessar, V., Verma, Y., & Swamy, M. (2013). Antibiogram of bacterial species isolated from canine pyometra. Veterinary World, 6(8), 546.
10.5455/vetworld.2013.546-549 Google Scholar
- Bjurström, L., & Linde-Forsberg, C. (1992). Long-term study of aerobic bacteria of the genital tract in breeding bitches. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 53(5), 665–669.
- Cummings, K. J., Aprea, V. A., & Altier, C. (2015). Antimicrobial resistance trends among canine Escherichia coli isolates obtained from clinical samples in the northeastern USA, 2004–2011. The Canadian Veterinary Journal, 56(4), 393.
- de Graef, E., Decostere, A., Devriese, L., & Haesebrouck, F. (2004). Antibiotic resistance among fecal indicator bacteria from healthy individually owned and kennel dogs. Microbial Drug Resistance, 10(1), 65–69.
- Delucchi, L., Fraga, M., Perelmuter, K., Cidade, E., & Zunino, P. (2008). Vaginal lactic acid bacteria in healthy and ill bitches and evaluation of in vitro probiotic activity of selected isolates. The Canadian Veterinary Journal, 49(10), 991.
- di Franco, G. (2016). Multiple correspondence analysis: One only or several techniques? Quality & Quantity, 50(3), 1299–1315.
10.1007/s11135-015-0206-0 Google Scholar
- Edyta, G., Natalia, S., Marlena, S., Natalia, W., Joanna, L., Arent, Z., & Magdalena, S. (2023). The in vitro effects of probiotic bacteria on genital pathogens of female dogs. BMC Veterinary Research, 19(1), 82.
- EUCAST (2023). The European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing. Retrieved from https://www.eucast.org
- Galić, I., Tomanić, D., Stancić, I., Spasojević, J., Apić, J., Barna, T., Vracar, V., … Erdeljan, M. (2002). Significance of microbiological vaginal swab in pregnant bitches. In Z. Ružić & I. Galić (Eds.), Antimicrobial resistance in veterinary medicine-current state and perspectives (pp. 94–104). Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad.
- Givens, M. D., & Marley, M. (2008). Infectious causes of embryonic and fetal mortality. Theriogenology, 70(3), 270–285.
- Golińska, E., Sowińska, N., Tomusiak-Plebanek, A., Szydło, M., Witka, N., Lenarczyk, J., & Strus, M. (2021). The vaginal microflora changes in various stages of the estrous cycle of healthy female dogs and the ones with genital tract infections. BMC Veterinary Research, 17, 1–8.
- Graham, E. M., & Taylor, D. J. (2012). Bacterial reproductive pathogens of cats and dogs. Veterinary Clinics: Small Animal Practice, 42(3), 561–582.
- Groppetti, D., Pecile, A., Barbero, C., & Martino, P. (2012). Vaginal bacterial flora and cytology in proestrous bitches: Role on fertility. Theriogenology, 77(8), 1549–1556.
- Kustritz, M. V. R. (2006). Collection of tissue and culture samples from the canine reproductive tract. Theriogenology, 66(3), 567–574.
- Lamm, C., Ferguson, A., Lehenbauer, T., & Love, B. (2010). Streptococcal infection in dogs: A retrospective study of 393 cases. Veterinary Pathology, 47(3), 387–395.
- Lee, S., Cho, J., Shin, N., Kim, H., Yong, H., Yoo, H., Lee, K.-n., Lee, B.-c., & Hwang, W. (2000). Identification and antimicrobial susceptibility of bacteria from the uterus of bitches with pyometra. Korean Journal of Veterinary Research, 40(4), 763–767.
- Leps, A., Klein, B., Meyer, C., Simon, C., & Goericke-Pesch, S. (2023). Vaginal flora of the bitch: a retrospective data analysis. Reproduction in Domestic Animals, 58, 24.
- Linde, C. (1983). Partial abortion associated with genital Escherichia coli infection in a bitch. The Veterinary Record, 112(19), 454–455.
- Mamman, P. H., Umar, B. N., Kakudi, A. N. u., Ahmed, A. O., Chah, K., & Kazeem, H. M. (2022). Phenotypic and Molecular Characterization of Aerobic Bacteria from the Vagina of Apparently Healthy and Infertile Bitches in Zaria, Nigeria.
- Mateus, A., Brodbelt, D., Barber, N., & Stärk, K. (2011). Antimicrobial usage in dogs and cats in first opinion veterinary practices in the UK. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 52(10), 515–521.
- Papich, M. G., & Davis, L. E. (1986). Drug therapy during pregnancy and in the neonate. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 16(3), 525–538.
- Paul, M., Bishara, J., Yahav, D., Goldberg, E., Neuberger, A., Ghanem-Zoubi, N., … Leibovici, L. (2015). Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole versus vancomycin for severe infections caused by meticillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus: Randomised controlled trial. BMJ, 350, h2219.
- Pipan, M. Z., Kajdič, L., Kalin, A., Plavec, T., & Zdovc, I. (2020). Do newborn puppies have their own microbiota at birth? Influence of type of birth on newborn puppy microbiota. Theriogenology, 152, 18–28.
- Pretzer, S. (2008). Bacterial and protozoal causes of pregnancy loss in the bitch and queen. Theriogenology, 70(3), 320–326.
- Rebuelto, M., & Loza, M. E. (2010). Antibiotic treatment of dogs and cats during pregnancy. Veterinary Medicine International, 2010, 385640.
- Rota, A., del Carro, A., Bertero, A., del Carro, A., Starvaggi Cucuzza, A., Banchi, P., & Corrò, M. (2021). Does bacteria colonization of canine newborns start in the uterus? Animals, 11(5), 1415.
- Rota, A., Milani, C., Drigo, I., Drigo, M., & Corrò, M. (2011). Isolation of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus pseudintermedius from breeding dogs. Theriogenology, 75(1), 115–121.
- Sa del Fiol, F., Gerenutti, M., & Groppo, F. (2005). Antibiotics and pregnancy. Die Pharmazie-an International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 60(7), 483–493.
- Schultheiss, P. C., Jones, R. L., Kesel, M. L., & Olson, P. N. (1999). Normal bacterial flora in canine and feline uteri. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, 11(6), 560–562.
- Shambulingappa, B., Manegar, G. A., & Ananda, K. (2010). Study on aerobic bacterial flora in canine abortions. Veterinary World, 3(3), 111.
- Smith, F. O. (2011). Prenatal care of the bitch and queen. Small Animal Pediatrics, 1, 1–10.
- Turnidge, J., & Christiansen, K. (2005). Antibiotic use and resistance—Proving the obvious. The Lancet, 365(9459), 548–549.
- Verstegen, J., Dhaliwal, G., & Verstegen-Onclin, K. (2008). Canine and feline pregnancy loss due to viral and non-infectious causes: A review. Theriogenology, 70(3), 304–319.
- Watts, J., Wright, P., & Whithear, K. (1996). Uterine, cervical and vaginal microflora of the normal bitch throughout the reproductive cycle. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 37(2), 54–60.
- Weese, J. S. (2008). Antimicrobial resistance in companion animals. Animal Health Research Reviews, 9(2), 169–176.
- Weese, J. S., & van Duijkeren, E. (2010). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and staphylococcus pseudintermedius in veterinary medicine. Veterinary Microbiology, 140(3–4), 418–429.
