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Veterinary Sciences
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Antimicrobial Resistance and Drug Resistant Bacteria in Companion and Food...
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Antimicrobial Resistance and Drug Resistant Bacteria in Companion and Food Animals

A special issue of Veterinary Sciences (ISSN 2306-7381).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 10166

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Chengming Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
Interests: molecular diagnostics; AMR; pathogens with zoonotic potentials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Lanjing Wei

E-Mail
Guest Editor
Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
Interests: vector-borne pathogens; antimicrobial drug resistance; molecular diagnostics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant global health threat, impacting both human and animal populations. In the context of food and companion animals, antimicrobial resistance has become a pressing issue. Pathogens present in the food supply chain can acquire resistance to antibiotics commonly used in animal husbandry, leading to potential transmission to humans through contaminated food products. This transfer of resistant pathogens and AMR genes from animals to humans, known as zoonotic transmission, further complicates efforts to control infections in both populations. Companion animals, such as dogs and cats, can also act as reservoirs for antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Close contact between pets and their owners can facilitate the exchange of resistant pathogens, posing a risk to human health, especially vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children and immunocompromised individuals. Addressing antimicrobial resistance in food and companion animals necessitates a multi-pronged approach. Stricter regulations on the use of antibiotics in agriculture and veterinary practices are crucial to reduce the selection pressure for resistant strains. Enhanced surveillance and monitoring systems are needed to track the prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens in both animals and food products. Additionally, promoting responsible use of antibiotics, implementing hygiene measures, and educating veterinarians, farmers and pet owners about the proper management of infections are essential steps to mitigate the threat of AMR and ensure a safer future for both humans and animals alike.

This Special Issue intends to showcase the current knowledge and latest advances in the sphere of antimicrobial resistance in food and companion animals. Therefore, we invite the submission of original research articles, case studies, short reports or reviews that highlight the prevalence and genetic mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance in animals and the transmission of resistant bacteria from food-producing and companion animals to humans.

We welcome and look forward to your contribution.

Prof. Dr. Chengming Wang
Dr. Lanjing Wei
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Veterinary Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • antimicrobial resistance
  • pathogens
  • food and companion animals
  • zoonotic diseases

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 1148 KiB  
Article
Presence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococci and Carbapenemase-Positive Acinetobacter Isolates on Surfaces in German Dog Daycare Facilities and Correlation with Cleaning Practices
by Stephanie Forbes, Ellen Prenger-Berninghoff, Christa Ewers, Maren Doelle and Anja Roethig
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(11), 568; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11110568 - 15 Nov 2024
Viewed by 783
Abstract
Many bacteria, including methicillin-resistant staphylococci and opportunistic pathogens such as Acinetobacter (A.) species, in particular members of the A. calcoaceticus—A. baumannii (Acb) complex, are known to survive in environmental settings. This increases the risk of bacterial spreading [...] Read more.
Many bacteria, including methicillin-resistant staphylococci and opportunistic pathogens such as Acinetobacter (A.) species, in particular members of the A. calcoaceticus—A. baumannii (Acb) complex, are known to survive in environmental settings. This increases the risk of bacterial spreading and transmission to animals and humans, especially in institutions with a high animal population density. This study aimed to identify the presence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) staphylococci and Acinetobacter species in dog daycare facilities (DDFs). The surfaces of 16 DDFs were sampled and information about cleaning practices was obtained. After microbial identification, the detected isolates were investigated by multiplex PCR for antimicrobial resistance genes. In 200 location samples, 38 staphylococci and 109 Acinetobacter spp. isolates were identified. Methicillin-resistant genes were confirmed in 18 staphylococci isolates from four DDFs, including Staphylococcus (S.) equorum, S. saprophyticus, S. cohnii, S. lentus, and S. haemolyticus. Eight A. radioresistens isolates comprising the blaOXA-23 carbapenemase gene and seventeen isolates belonging to the Acb complex were also isolated. This is the first investigation for MDR pathogens in DDFs, a close human–animal interaction environment. Though the role of DDFs in the transmission and spreading of MDR bacteria is not known, the findings should contribute to the public awareness and underscore the necessity of adequate cleaning protocols. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Resistance and Drug Resistant Bacteria in Companion and Food Animals)
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14 pages, 2719 KiB  
Article
Effect of Solid-State Fermentation Products of Lactobacillus plantarum, Candida utilis, and Bacillus coagulans on Growth Performance of Broilers and Prevention of Avian Colibacillosis
by Fangfang Li, Bing Lv, Jiakun Zuo, Saqib Nawaz, Zhihao Wang, Liyan Lian, Huifang Yin, Shuming Chen, Xiangan Han and Haidong Wang
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(10), 468; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11100468 - 1 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1216
Abstract
This study investigates the impact of the solid-state fermentation products of Lactobacillus plantarum, Candida utilis, and Bacillus coagulans (LCBs) on the growth characteristics, immune function, intestinal morphology, cecum microbial community, and prevention of avian colibacillosis in broilers. One hundred and twenty [...] Read more.
This study investigates the impact of the solid-state fermentation products of Lactobacillus plantarum, Candida utilis, and Bacillus coagulans (LCBs) on the growth characteristics, immune function, intestinal morphology, cecum microbial community, and prevention of avian colibacillosis in broilers. One hundred and twenty Hyland Brown broilers (aged one day) were divided randomly into three groups (four replicates of ten broilers per group). (1) The CON group was fed a basal diet. (2) The MOD group was fed a basal diet. On day 40, APEC strain SX02 (1.1 × 105 CFU/g) was administered to the breasts of chickens in this group. (3) The LCBs group was fed a basal diet supplemented with fermentation products (98.5% basal diet + 0.5% Lactobacillus plantarum and Candida utilis solid-state fermentation products + 1.0% Bacillus coagulans solid-state fermentation products). On day 40, the LCBs group received the same treatment as the MOD group. The experiment lasted 43 days. This study found that the average daily gain (ADG) of the LCBs group was significantly higher than that of the MOD group (p < 0.05), indicating that LCBs can significantly increase the ADG of broilers and improve the feed conversion ratio. Furthermore, compared to the MOD group, the heart bacterial load was significantly reduced in the LCBs group (p < 0.05), and the lesions less severe in the heart, liver, and jejunum were observed (p < 0.05). Additionally, the detection of intestinal flora showed a significant increase in the abundance of beneficial bacteria in the cecum of the LCBs group, while the number of Escherichia coli and Shigella decreased significantly. In conclusion, the solid fermentation of Lactobacillus plantarum, Candida utilis, and Bacillus coagulans can improve the growth performance of broilers while also protecting against avian pathogenic Escherichia coli infection. This demonstrates the potential usefulness of these LCBs in feed production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Resistance and Drug Resistant Bacteria in Companion and Food Animals)
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16 pages, 1302 KiB  
Article
Antimicrobial Residue Accumulation Contributes to Higher Levels of Rhodococcus equi Carrying Resistance Genes in the Environment of Horse-Breeding Farms
by Courtney Higgins, Noah D. Cohen, Nathan Slovis, Melissa Boersma, Pankaj P. Gaonkar, Daniel R. Golden and Laura Huber
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(2), 92; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11020092 - 17 Feb 2024
Viewed by 2054
Abstract
Antimicrobial residues excreted in the environment following antimicrobial treatment enhance resistant microbial communities in the environment and have long-term effects on the selection and maintenance of antimicrobial resistance genes (AMRGs). In this study, we focused on understanding the impact of antimicrobial use on [...] Read more.
Antimicrobial residues excreted in the environment following antimicrobial treatment enhance resistant microbial communities in the environment and have long-term effects on the selection and maintenance of antimicrobial resistance genes (AMRGs). In this study, we focused on understanding the impact of antimicrobial use on antimicrobial residue pollution and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the environment of horse-breeding farms. Rhodococcus equi is an ideal microbe to study these associations because it lives naturally in the soil, exchanges AMRGs with other bacteria in the environment, and can cause disease in animals and humans. The environment is the main source of R. equi infections in foals; therefore, higher levels of multidrug-resistant (MDR) R. equi in the environment contribute to clinical infections with MDR R. equi. We found that macrolide residues in the environment of horse-breeding farms and the use of thoracic ultrasonographic screening (TUS) for early detection of subclinically affected foals with R. equi infections were strongly associated with the presence of R. equi carrying AMRGs in the soil. Our findings indicate that the use of TUS contributed to historically higher antimicrobial use in foals, leading to the accumulation of antimicrobial residues in the environment and enhancing MDR R. equi. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Resistance and Drug Resistant Bacteria in Companion and Food Animals)
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13 pages, 1732 KiB  
Article
Metagenome-Based Analysis of the Microbial Community Structure and Drug-Resistance Characteristics of Livestock Feces in Anhui Province, China
by Ying Shao, Zhao Qi, Jinhui Sang, Zhaorong Yu, Min Li, Zhenyu Wang, Jian Tu, Xiangjun Song and Kezong Qi
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(2), 87; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11020087 - 12 Feb 2024
Viewed by 2079
Abstract
We analyzed metagenome data of feces from sows at different physiological periods reared on large-scale farms in Anhui Province, China, to provide a better understanding of the microbial diversity of the sow intestinal microbiome and the structure of antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence [...] Read more.
We analyzed metagenome data of feces from sows at different physiological periods reared on large-scale farms in Anhui Province, China, to provide a better understanding of the microbial diversity of the sow intestinal microbiome and the structure of antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence genes it carries. Species annotation of the metagenome showed that in the porcine intestinal microbiome, bacteria were dominant, representing >97% of the microorganisms at each physiological period. Firmicutes and Proteobacteria dominated the bacterial community. In the porcine gut microbiome, the viral component accounted for an average of 0.65%, and the species annotation results indicated that most viruses were phages. In addition, we analyzed the microbiome for ARGs and virulence genes. Multidrug-like, MLS-like, and tetracycline-like ARGs were most abundant in all samples. Evaluation of the resistance mechanisms indicated that antibiotic inactivation was the main mechanism of action in the samples. It is noteworthy that there was a significant positive correlation between ARGs and the total microbiome. Moreover, comparative analysis with the Virulence Factor Database showed that adhesion virulence factors were most abundant. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Resistance and Drug Resistant Bacteria in Companion and Food Animals)
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9 pages, 1354 KiB  
Brief Report
Mutation in Wzz(fepE) Linked to Altered O-Antigen Biosynthesis and Attenuated Virulence in Rough Salmonella Infantis Variant
by Nneka Vivian Iduu, Steven Kitchens, Stuart B. Price and Chengming Wang
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(12), 603; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11120603 - 28 Nov 2024
Viewed by 508
Abstract
Salmonella enterica serovar Infantis has emerged as a prevalent foodborne pathogen in poultry with significant global health implications. This study investigates the molecular characteristics influencing virulence in a S. Infantis rough variant collected from a poultry farm in the USA. In this study, whole [...] Read more.
Salmonella enterica serovar Infantis has emerged as a prevalent foodborne pathogen in poultry with significant global health implications. This study investigates the molecular characteristics influencing virulence in a S. Infantis rough variant collected from a poultry farm in the USA. In this study, whole genome sequencing and comparative genomics were performed on smooth and rough poultry S. Infantis isolates, while chicken embryo lethality assay was conducted to assess their virulence. Comparative genomics between isolates was analyzed using Mauve pairwise Locally Collinear Blocks to measure the genetic conservation. Embryo survival rates between the isolates were compared using the Kaplan–Meier curves. High genomic conservation was observed between the two isolates, but a frameshift mutation was detected in the Wzz(fepE) gene of the rough variant, resulting in early protein truncation. The chicken embryo lethality assay showed that the lethality rate of the smooth strain was higher than that of the rough strain (p < 0.05). This study identifies a frameshift mutation in the Wzz(fepE) gene, leading to protein truncation, which may reduce bacterial virulence by impacting O-antigen biosynthesis in the rough Salmonella Infantis variant. These findings deepen our understanding of S. Infantis pathogenesis and suggest that targeting the Wzz(fepE) gene or related pathways could be a promising strategy for developing effective vaccines and therapeutic interventions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Resistance and Drug Resistant Bacteria in Companion and Food Animals)
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10 pages, 5187 KiB  
Brief Report
Genomic Characterization of a Plasmid-Free and Highly Drug-Resistant Salmonella enterica Serovar Indiana Isolate in China
by Jiansen Gong, Ximin Zeng, Jingxiao Xu, Di Zhang, Xinhong Dou, Jun Lin and Chengming Wang
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(1), 46; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11010046 - 20 Jan 2024
Viewed by 2184
Abstract
The emergence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) Salmonella enterica serovar Indiana (S. Indiana) strains in China is commonly associated with the presence of one or more resistance plasmids harboring integrons pivotal in acquiring antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study aims to elucidate the genetic [...] Read more.
The emergence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) Salmonella enterica serovar Indiana (S. Indiana) strains in China is commonly associated with the presence of one or more resistance plasmids harboring integrons pivotal in acquiring antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study aims to elucidate the genetic makeup of this plasmid-free, highly drug-resistant S. Indiana S1467 strain. Genomic sequencing was performed using Illumina HiSeq 2500 sequencer and PacBio RS II System. Prodigal software predicted putative protein-coding sequences while BLASTP analysis was conducted. The S1467 genome comprises a circular 4,998,300 bp chromosome with an average GC content of 51.81%, encompassing 4709 open reading frames (ORFs). Fifty-four AMR genes were identified, conferring resistance across 16 AMR categories, aligning closely with the strain’s antibiotic susceptibility profile. Genomic island prediction unveiled an approximately 51 kb genomic island housing a unique YeeVU toxin–antitoxin system (TAS), a rarity in Salmonella species. This suggests that the AMR gene cluster on the S1467 genomic island may stem from the integration of plasmids originating from other Enterobacteriaceae. This study contributes not only to the understanding of the genomic characteristics of a plasmid-free, highly drug-resistant S. Indiana strain but also sheds light on the intricate mechanisms underlying antimicrobial resistance. The implications of our findings extend to the broader context of horizontal gene transfer between bacterial species, emphasizing the need for continued surveillance and research to address the evolving challenges posed by drug-resistant pathogens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Resistance and Drug Resistant Bacteria in Companion and Food Animals)
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