Vol. 8, Issue 9 (2019)

Author(s):
Suma N, Prejit, Asha K, Jess V, Hamna Hakim and Hema Persis Andrews

Abstract:
Pet associated zoonotic diseases is one of the unexplored sector and Yersinia spp. especially antibiotic resistant strains can be a major public health. Hence, the present study was envisaged to evaluate the occurrence and characterization of ESBL producing Y. enterocolitica from dogs and cats of Wayanad district. A total of 100 faecal samples/swabs from dogs (50) and cats (50) were analyzed through conventional culture and molecular method using 16S rRNA PCR-RFLP. The occurrence of Y. enterocolitica was recorded in 12 samples. Species specific-PCR revealed that 12 per cent of samples were identified as Y. enterocolitica (ystA). Further, characterization of isolates for ESBL production through phenotypic disc diffusion method revealed that 41.66% of Y. enterocolitica isolates were ESBL producers and on genotypic PCR assay it was observed that 33.33% of isolates in dogs were found to harbour bla TEM gene. Likewise, 50% of Yersinia isolates (each) recovered from dogs were found to harbour bla SHV and bla CTX-M ESBL genes. Thus, the present study signifies the importance of virulent Yersinia strain harbouring ESBL resistance genes and its dissemination in companion animals which can have the potential to transfer to man.