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Proteus spp. are opportunistic multidrug resistant enterobacteria associated with diverse clinical diseases in domestic animals. However, Proteus infections in domestic animals are often misdiagnosed or considered contaminants in microbiological cultures rather than a primary agent of disease. Descriptions of Proteus infections in domestic animals are typically restricted to case reports, retrospective studies, or surveillance of other microorganisms. The present study investigated multiple antibiotic resistance indices, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), and ESBL production in 73 strains of Proteus mirabilis (n = 69) and Proteus vulgaris (n = 4) isolated from domestic animals with various clinical manifestations. In dogs, the pathogen was most commonly associated with cystitis (48.21), enteritis (21.42%), otitis (14.29%), and conjunctivitis (3.57%). In bovines, the microorganism was predominant in cases of enteritis (22.22%), abscess (11.11%), otitis (11.11%), omphalitis (11.11%), and peritonitis (11.11%), and in organ fragments (11.11%). In equines (50.0%) and cats (100.0%), diarrhea was the main clinical sign. In vitro standard disk diffusion assay showed that the most effective antimicrobials against the isolates were imipenem (98.63), norfloxacin (95.89), amikacin (95.89), levofloxacin (90.41), ceftriaxone (87.64), and florfenicol (87.67). In contrast, the isolates commonly showed resistance to novobiocin (95.89), azithromycin (57.53), and trimethropim/sulfamethoxazole (39.73). Among the 73 isolates, the efficacy of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, gentamicin, ceftriaxone, and ciprofloxacin according to MICs was 87.67%, 86.30%, 84.93%, and 82.19%, respectively. The MIC50 values of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, and gentamicin were, respectively, 1.0, 0.004, 0.03, and 1.0 µg/mL. Thirty-three strains (45.21%) showed a antimicrobial multiple resistance index of ? 0.3. Multidrug resistance profiles of isolates were observed most frequently in dogs (n = 25; 75.76%), particularly in those with cystitis (n = 13; 52.0%), followed by bovines (n = 4; 12.12%), equines (n = 2; 6.06%), and cats (n = 2; 6.06%). Two (2.7%) strains, obtained from canine skin and feces, were diagnosed phenotypically as ESBL-producers. Here, we observed the diversity of Proteus infections in domestic animals. The presence of multidrug-resistant isolates and ESBL-producers reinforces the need for appropriate antimicrobial use and in vitro antimicrobial tests to support therapy.

Escherichia coli is a normal inhabitant of the enteric microflora of human and animal. Intestinal and extra-intestinal infections caused by E. coli in mammals are characterized by the presence of diversity of virulence factors. In addition it can be isolated from environment surrounding human and animal farms. E. coli is the main environmental pathogen causing clinical mastitis in dairy cattle. It causes a wide range of disease severity, from changes seen exclusively in milk to severe systemic signs. The severity of clinical mastitis has been conventionally classified into three levels: mild (grade 1), moderate (score 2), and severe (score 3). Recently, reports of cases of bovine mastitis caused by environmental agents have been on the rise, in particular in countries that have succeeded in controlling contagious microorganisms. Unlike enteric and certain extra-enteric conditions in domestic animals and humans, the impact of virulence factors on the occurrence of bovine mastitis due to E. coli, as well as the clinical severity of the cases, is not fully understood. In this regard, the present study reviewed the most relevant virulence factors of E. coli in human and animals, with emphasis in bovine mastitis.

ABSTRACT: Bovine dermatophilosis is a dermatitis characterized by typical focal or localized lesions with “paintbrush” aspect and occasionally as disseminated cutaneous disease. We report the case of a one-year-old Nelore female with history of chronic cutaneous disseminated lesions that appeared immediately after a rainfall period. Serous to purulent exudates, hair with tufted appearance, hyperkeratotic, non-pruritic, hardened, yellowish to brown, and coalescent crusty lesions were observed distributed all over its body. Removal of the crusts revealed ulcerated or hemorrhagic areas, with irregular elevated crusts like “paintbrush”. Microbiological diagnosis enabled the identification of a microorganism, the Dermatophilus congolensis. Despite disseminated and chronic lesions, we obtained a successful therapy with parenteral therapy using long-acting tetracycline based on modified in vitro disk diffusion test. The present report highlights success therapy in uncommon generalized bovine dermatophilosis with selection of first-choice drugs based on modified in vitro susceptibility test, and need of responsible use of antimicrobials in livestock.

A brucelose é uma importante zoonose causada por bactérias do gênero Brucella. O homem é infectado pelo contato com as secreções reprodutivas como placenta, lóquios placentários, sêmen e secreções penianas de animais infectados ou pelo consumo de leite e derivados não pasteurizados. Com o objetivo de pesquisar a presença da bactéria no leite, foram avaliadas, através da técnica da reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR), 30 amostras de leite cru comercializadas clandestinamente na região de Botucatu, São Paulo, bem como 50 amostras de leite entregues em laticínio, previamente à pasteurização. Das 80 amostras analisadas pela técnica de PCR, 10 (12,5%) foram positivas e 70 (87,5%) negativas. Dentre as amostras positivas, 5 amostras (16,6%) eram provenientes de comerciantes ilegais e outras 5 amostras (10%) foram obtidas no laticínio. A positividade para Brucella spp. demonstra que o patógeno se encontra presente de forma importante na região de Botucatu, São Paulo, e que o risco associado à saúde pública devido à comercialização de produtos clandestinos sem prévia pasteurização é real.