牛源耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌的检测

本研究旨在了解甘肃地区奶牛乳房炎金黄色葡萄球菌的耐药性和耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌的感染情况,为奶牛乳房炎的防制提供理论依据。采用KB纸片扩散法,检测17株金黄色葡萄球菌对8种不同抗菌药物的敏感性;再用琼脂稀释法检测了苯唑西林、万古霉素对金黄色葡萄球菌的最小抑菌浓度(MICs);头孢西丁纸片扩散法和PCR扩增特异性mecA耐药基因对所有受试菌株进行全面的耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌检测。结果表明,菌株对青霉素、磺胺异恶唑具有较强抗性,而对环丙沙星、头孢唑啉、万古霉素和苯唑西林全敏感;头孢西丁纸片扩散法未能检测出表型为MRSA的阳性菌株,而PCR方法却检测出8株mecA基因阳性菌株,且这些菌株的苯唑西林MIC均小于2 μg/mL。菌株的耐药情况较严重,对甲氧西林敏感而携带mecA基因的菌株高频存在于被调查地区的奶牛场中。     

陕西省奶牛乳房炎乳中凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌的分离及耐药性分析

为了解陕西省部分地区引起奶牛乳房炎的凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌(coagulase-negative Staphylococci,CNS)耐药性及耐药基因携带情况,采集陕西地区16个奶牛场88份临床型乳房炎奶样,分离得到29株CNS。采用KB药敏纸片法和PCR法分别检测并计算分离株表型耐药率与所携带相关耐药基因的阳性率,并比较两者的相符率。结果显示,分离的29株CNS对林可霉素表现出完全耐药,对青霉素、克拉霉素、磺胺异噁唑等7种药物的耐药率在65.5%以上,对诺氟沙星、环丙沙星、多西环素等12种药物的耐药率为6.9%～55.2%。分离菌株还表现了较强的多重耐药性,其中93.1%的CNS分离菌株能耐5种以上的抗生素;分离的29株CNS耐药基因dfrG、Blaz、InuA、mecA阳性率为27.6%～55.2%,耐药基因msrB、ermC的阳性率小于20.7%,耐药表型与耐药基因型相符率为10.7%～85.7%。说明从陕西地区分离的CNS表现出不同程度的耐药性,且多为多重耐药,耐药基因与耐药表型的相符率比较低。研究结果为引起奶牛乳房炎的CNS防控提供了依据。     

东北地区猪链球菌对大环内酯类药物耐药机制的研究

采用微量稀释法及双纸片扩散法测定了28株猪链球菌（S．suis）对大环内酯类药物的耐药性和耐药表型，红霉素、阿奇霉素和泰乐菌素耐药率分别为92．8％、92.8％和89.3％，耐药表型以内在型（cMLSB）为主。利用聚合酶链反应（PCR）检测红霉素耐药基因erm和mef,对ermA／B／C分型扩增、克隆、测序，26株菌扩增到ermB基因，16株菌扩增到ermA基因，其中15株同时扩增到ermB和ermA基因，1株未扩增到这两种基因的任一种；28株猪链球菌中均未扩增到ermC和mef基因。16株菌的c17nA基因核苷酸序列与GenBank中同源序列同源性为83％～100％，氨基酸序列与参照序列（X03216，1）相比突变点较多，有11株菌在34个位点处同时发生了改变；26株菌的ermB基因核苷酸序列与GenBank中同源序列相似性为98％～100％，氨基酸序列与参照序列（AY183117．1）相比突变点较少，与参照序列完全一致的有7株，其余株仅1～3个氨基酸不同。说明本地区猪链球菌对大环内酯类药物耐药情况很严重，耐药基因为甲基化酶ermA和／或ermB，ermA基因突变点较多，ermB基因相对稳定。     

猪源粪肠球菌对常用抗菌药物的耐药性分析及其酰胺醇类耐药基因的检测

通过检测猪源粪肠球菌对临床常用抗菌药物的耐药表型及其酰胺醇类耐药基因的携带率,了解猪源粪肠球菌耐药性流行特点,进而为抗菌药物的合理使用提供参考。2016—2017年间在江苏部分猪场分离的230株粪肠球菌对四环素(100%)、红霉素(98.3%)和氟苯尼考(97.0%)的耐药率最高(达95%以上),其次为庆大霉素(78.7%)、链霉素(75.2%)、麻保沙星(70.9%)、利奈唑胺(54.8%)、利福平(30.4%)、氨苄西林(1.7%)和青霉素G(0.4%),未发现万古霉素耐药菌株。多重耐药分析显示大多数菌株同时对5～8种药物耐药,有1株菌同时对10种药物耐药。进一步对223株氟苯尼考耐药菌株进行了酰胺醇类相关耐药基因fexA、fexB、floR、cfr和optrA的PCR检测,其检出率由高到低分别为fexA(91.9%,205株)、floR(66.4%,148株)、optrA(21.5%,48株)、fexB(1.8%,4株)和cfr(1.4%,3株),且大部分菌株同时携带多种耐药基因。结果表明:猪源粪肠球菌对抗菌药物的耐药情况严重,尤其对兽医专用抗菌药物氟苯尼考产生较高的耐药性值得重视,临床兽医应结合具体药敏结果合理使用抗菌药物,并加强对肠球菌耐药性的监测。     

原料乳和临床乳房炎金黄色葡萄球菌毒力基因检测及药敏分析

对临床乳房炎（57株）和原料乳（44株）金黄色葡萄球菌菌株,用PCR方法检测mecA基因、PVL基因、ETs基因、SEs基因和TSST-1基因;采用CLSI指导说明执行琼脂稀释法药敏性试验。结果显示原料乳菌株中,84.09%携带有毒素基因,其中PVL的检出率为84.09%,肠毒素的检出率为52.27%,主要流行的肠毒素基因为sea（56.82%）,均未检测到携带mecA、ETs、TSST-1、sei和sej基因的菌株;同时得到10种毒素基因型,其主要流行的毒素基因型为PVL＋sea（29.55%）和PVL（27.27%）。临床菌株中,78.95%携带有毒素基因,其中PVL的检出率为28.07%,肠毒素的检出率为77.19%,主要流行的肠毒素基因为sea（47.37%）,没有检测到携带ETs、TSST-1和seh基因菌株;同时得到25种毒素基因型,其主要流行的毒素基因型为sea（19.30%）,其次是seb（7.02%）,sea＋sed＋sej（3.51%）和PVL＋sea＋seb＋sec＋seg＋sei（3.51%）。6株（10.53%）携带有mecA基因菌株均含有较多毒素基因。原料乳分离株对甲氧苄啶和头孢西丁的耐药率较高,分别为100%和86.36%,其次对氯霉素、红霉素、苯唑西林、头孢哌酮和庆大霉素的耐药率分别为11.36%、4.55%、2.27%、2.27%和6.82%,所有原料乳菌株均对环丙沙星敏感,同时得到8种耐药谱,多重耐药率达22%;临床乳房炎菌株对红霉素和甲氧苄啶的耐药率较高,分别为100%和71.93%,其次对氯霉素、庆大霉素、环丙沙星、头孢西丁和苯唑西林的耐药率分别为28.07%、26.07%、24.56%、19.30%和7.02%,临床乳房炎菌株对头孢哌酮和四环素的敏感率为100%,同时得到13种耐药谱,多重耐药率达77.19%。所有原料乳和临床乳房炎菌株均对万古霉素和阿米卡星敏感。临床乳房炎菌株携带的毒素基因和多重耐药率比原料奶菌株高,同时在临床乳房炎乳中检测到MRSA菌株,提示我们应加强乳及其乳制品的管理,并对奶牛乳房炎加以重视。     

犬鼻腔金黄色葡萄球菌的分离及耐药性监测

旨在了解犬源金黄色葡萄球菌的耐药现状。采集动物医院就诊犬鼻拭子样本，对金黄色葡萄球菌进行分离、纯化及鉴定，并进行甲氧西林耐药基因mecA和耐药表型检测，同时分析影响携带率的相关因素。结果：共采集229份样品，其中犬鼻腔金黄色葡萄球菌携带率为35.4%(81/229);该菌mecA基因检出率为23.5%(19/81)。影响金黄色葡萄球菌携带率的因素有性别和年龄，未发现影响该菌携带mecA基因的因素。金黄色葡萄球菌对青霉素G耐药最严重(耐药率77.78%),对复方新诺明耐药较严重(耐药率为60.49%),对其余药物呈不同水平耐药性(耐药率6.17%～23.46%)。以上结果说明，金黄色葡萄球菌在犬中较为流行，犬年龄和性别是影响其携带率的重要因素，同时这些菌株已呈较高耐药性，且存在mecA耐药基因，应加强对该菌流行情况及对兽医临床中抗生素使用的监测。     

奶牛乳房炎大肠杆菌整合子与耐药表型的相关性研究

为研究自乳房炎奶牛分离的大肠杆菌整合子携带情况与其耐药表型之间的相关性，在获得菌株对20种抗菌药物耐药谱的基础上，设计Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ类整合子简并引物扩增菌株的整合酶基因，并结合内切酶限制性片段长度多态性分析，调查菌株携带的各类整合子，然后进一步扩增菌株整合子的基因盒插入区，测序分析其携带的基因盒。结果发现，80株自奶牛乳房炎病例分离的大肠杆菌中有37株检出Ⅰ类整合子（检出率46．25％），未检出Ⅱ类和Ⅲ类整合子。Ⅰ类整合子阳性菌中31株扩增出3种不同大小的基因盒插入区片段，插入基因盒主要是二氢叶酸还原酶基因（dfr）和氨基糖苷类抗生素耐药基因（aadA），最主要的基因盒排列为dfrA17-aadA5。分析表明，Ⅰ类整合子集中分布在耐受7种以上抗菌药物的菌株中，与菌株的多重耐药性高度相关，而菌株Ⅰ类整合子携带的耐药基因盒与其耐药谱缺乏对应关系。     

猪链球菌对大环内酯类药物耐药性研究进展

随着养猪业的迅速发展,猪链球菌病也在世界范围内广泛传播。大环内酯类药物在养猪业中的广泛应用也使其耐药性随之产生,国内外猪链球菌对大环内酯类的耐药性较严重,耐药率达50%以上。目前国内外已报道的猪链球菌对大环内酯类耐药基因包括ermA、ermB、ermC和mefA,其中最常见的是ermB基因编码的内在型（cMLSB）耐药。大环内酯类耐药性特点表现为多重耐药株（MDR）占很大比例且与菌株血清型之间可能存在相关性。耐药基因erm及mef均为获得性耐药基因,位于转座子内,或由质粒携带,可在细菌间广泛传播。合理使用抗菌药物,加强耐药性监测,开发新药以及疫苗等对于减缓耐药性的产生和传播具有十分重要的意义。     

内蒙古地区羊源大肠杆菌耐药性研究

为确定内蒙古地区羊源大肠杆菌的耐药表型及其耐药基因的流行情况,本研究采用微量稀释法测定了内蒙古地区108株羊源大肠杆菌对13种临床常用抗菌药物的最小抑菌浓度。结果显示,分离菌株对阿莫西林、头孢噻吩、磺胺甲唑、黏菌素的耐药率最高,均达100.0%,对阿莫西林/克拉维酸、四环素、环丙沙星的耐药率在50%~80%之间,对头孢噻肟、美洛培南、新霉素的耐药率均低于10%,较为敏感。108株羊源大肠杆菌中耐7种以上药物的菌株占94.4%,其中15.6%菌株对13种抗菌药物耐药,只有1株菌对所有抗菌药物敏感。采用PCR方法对羊源大肠杆菌分离株所携带的6种相关耐药基因进行检测,结果显示,6种耐药基因中的4种耐药基因bla_TEM、proP-2、sul-Ⅰ、ampG检出率超过50%,耐药基因aph（3'）-Ⅰ携带率达40%,只有耐药基因aac（3）-Ⅱ检出率仅为5.5%。由此可见,内蒙古地区羊源大肠杆菌对13种抗菌药物产生了不同程度的耐药性,且存在严重的多重耐药情况,羊源大肠杆菌分离株携带aph（3'）-Ⅰ、sul-Ⅰ、ampG、bla_TEM、proP-2、aac（3）-Ⅱ耐药基因。     

食品动物源沙门氏菌质粒介导喹诺酮类耐药基因的检测与分析

为了解食品动物源沙门氏菌质粒介导喹诺酮类耐药性(Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance,PMQR),采用微量肉汤稀释法和PCR方法,检测了316株食品动物源沙门氏菌对20种抗菌药物的敏感性,以及菌株中PMQR基因的携带率.结果显示:316株沙门氏菌对20种抗菌药物呈不同程度的耐药性,95.57％菌株为多重耐药菌;316株菌中未检出qnrA、qnrC、qnrD、qnrS和qepA基因,7.91％菌株检出qnrB基因,15.19％菌株检出aac(6 ′ )-Ib-cr基因,7.91％菌株检出oqxA基因,8.86％菌株检出oqxB基因,这是首次在沙门氏菌中发现oqxAB基因;98.11％PMQR阳性菌同时携带2种及以上的耐药基因,呈8～17耐的多重耐药性,其中以qnrB和aac(6′)-Ibcr基因型为主;53株PMQR阳性菌分属于5种不同的基因型,耐药表型或耐药基因型不同的菌株却有相同的PFGE谱型.本次检测的316株食品动物源沙门氏菌耐药较为严重;菌株主要携带qnrB、aac(6 ′ )-Ib-cr及oqxAB基因;不同来源菌株存在同一耐药克隆株的流行.     

Comparison of a commercialized phenotyping system, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and tuf gene sequence-based genotyping for species-level identification of coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from cases of bovine mastitis

In order to evaluate the usefulness of some phenotypic and genotypic methods for species identification of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS), isolates were obtained from bovine cases of clinical and sub-clinical mastitis from different geographical areas in Sweden. By using the Staph-Zym test, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and sequencing of part of the CNS tuf gene and, when needed, part of the 16S rRNA gene we characterized 82 clinical isolates and 24 reference strains of 18 different species of staphylococci. The genotypic methods identified nine different species of CNS among the 82 milk isolates. A comparison with results obtained by tuf gene sequencing showed that Staph-Zym correctly identified CNS reference strains to species level more often than bovine milk CNS isolates (83% and 61%, respectively). In addition, tests supplementary to the Staph-Zym were frequently needed in both groups of isolates (50% of reference strains and 33% of milk isolates) to obtain an identification of the strain. It is notable that Staph-Zym judged two isolates as CNS, although they belonged to other species, could not give a species name in 11% of the bovine CNS isolates, and gave 28% of the isolates an incorrect species name. The present study indicates that the studied phenotypic methods are unreliable for identification of CNS from bovine intra-mammary infections.     

Antimicrobial susceptibility of mastitis pathogens from first lactation and older cows

Increasing antimicrobial resistance has become a serious concern worldwide and antimicrobial use in animal agriculture is currently under scrutiny. Mastitis is the most common reason for antibiotic use in dairy herds and thus, antimicrobial resistance of mastitis pathogens has received recent attention. The purpose of this study was to describe and compare antimicrobial susceptibility of mastitis pathogens isolated at calving from first lactation and older cows. A total of 202 bacteria were isolated from intramammary infections (IMIs) within 3 days after calving over a 16-month study period in the Krauss Dairy Research Herd at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) in Wooster, OH. Of these IMIs, 78% were caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS). Forty-four percent of them were resistant to at least one antibiotic. Most resistance was observed against penicillin, 39% of the isolates from older cows and 26% from first lactation cows being resistant to penicillin (P > 0.05). Also MIC90 for penicillin was higher among isolates from older cows. On the other hand, resistance to tetracycline was more common and MIC90 higher among isolates from first lactation cows than from older cows. Differences in the proportions of resistant isolates between first lactation and older cows were not statistically significant, though. The resistance patterns of the CNS isolated during the study are concordant with antimicrobial usage in the study herd. This is in agreement with the generally accepted notion that selection pressure from the use of antibiotics is a main factor in development of antibiotic resistance.     

Antimicrobial activity of marine sponges against coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from bovine mastitis

Bovine mastitis remains worldwide a major challenge for the dairy industry despite the widespread implementation of control strategies. The increasing number of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) causing mastitis and of bacteria resistant to conventional antibiotics has become a serious problem in recent years. Marine sponges are a rich source of bioactive compounds, and many species can be useful for the development of new antimicrobial drugs. In the present study, 49 CNS strains were isolated from bovine mastitis cases from 21 different dairy herds kept at farms in Southeast Brazil. Strains were analyzed for antimicrobial susceptibility and mecA gene detection. Fifty-nine percent of the CNS strains were resistant to at least one of the drugs tested and 12.2% were classified as multiresistant. Three strains carried the mecA gene, confering resistance to the beta-lactamic antibiotics. In addition, the CNS strains were submitted to in vitro screening for antimicrobial activities of extracts from marine sponges. Extracts from the sponge species Cinachyrella sp., Haliclona sp. and Petromica citrina showed antibacterial activity against 61% of the CNS strains, including strains resistant to conventional antibiotics. Extracts from P. citrina showed the largest spectrum of inhibitory activity. The aqueous extract inhibited 51% of the CNS strains and presented a bactericidal effect over susceptible and multiresistant-bacteria at a minimal inhibitory concentration of 1.024μg/ml. This study shows the potential of marine sponges as new sources of antibiotics and disinfectants for the control of CNS involved in bovine mastitis.     

CNS species and antimicrobial resistance in clinical and subclinical bovine mastitis

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) are often associated with bovine mastitis. Knowledge about the relative importance of specific CNS species in different types of mastitis, and differences in antimicrobial resistance among CNS species is, however, scarce. Therefore, the aims of this study were to compare prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of CNS species in clinical and subclinical mastitis using material from two national surveys. Overall, Staphylococcus chromogenes and Staphylococcus epidermidis were the most common CNS species found followed by Staphylococcus simulans and Staphylococcus haemolyticus. S. epidermidis was significantly more prevalent in subclinical than in clinical mastitis, and a similar trend was observed for Staphylococcus saprophyticus, while Staphylococcus hyicus was significantly more common in clinical mastitis. The prevalence of β-lactamase producing isolates varied markedly between CNS species, and was significantly higher in S. epidermidis and S. haemolyticus (～ 40%), than in S. simulans and S. chromogenes where none or a few of the isolates produced β-lactamase. Resistance to more than one antimicrobial substance occurred in 9% and 7% of the clinical and subclinical isolates, respectively. In conclusion, the distribution of CNS species differed between clinical and subclinical mastitis indicating inter-species variation of pathogenicity and epidemiology. Overall, the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance was low, but some variation between CNS species was observed.     

Antimicrobial susceptibility of coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from bovine milk samples

The aim of this study was to examine whether antimicrobial resistance profiles of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CNS) species isolated from milk of dairy cows differed between bacterial species, and to compare results obtained by phenotypic and genotypic profiling of resistance to penicillin, oxacillin and macrolide-lincosamide (ML) antibiotics. Of 170 CNS isolates, 83 (48.8%) were phenotypically susceptible to all antimicrobial agents tested in minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays, 40.6% expressed resistance to a single compound or a single class of compounds, and 10.6% to multiple drug classes. Nine percent, 68%, 19%, 4% and 1% of isolates were negative for all resistance genes tested by PCR or positive for one, two, three or four resistance genes, respectively. Phenotypic resistance and detection of resistance genes other than blaZ were relatively rare in Staphylococcus chromogenes, which was the most common CNS species (36% of 170 genotypically identified isolates). In Staphylococcus epidermidis, which was the second most common CNS species (14% of isolates), phenotypic penicillin resistance was significantly more common than in other CNS species. Almost half of the S. epidermidis isolates carried multiple resistance genes and 30% carried the methicillin resistance gene mecA. Survival analysis using MIC values showed significant associations between phenotypic and genotypic resistance profiles. We conclude that CNS species from bovine milk differ significantly in phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial resistance profiles, which has implications for treatment and management decisions.     

我国牛源金黄色葡萄球菌耐药现状及药敏检测方法探讨

为调查我国牛源金黄色葡萄球菌的临床耐药现状,对2009年以来新疆、浙江、山东、内蒙古和上海五省区不同地方分离的120株金黄色葡萄球菌用纸片扩散法进行临床药敏试验。结果显示,新疆分离株对红霉素、克林霉素、青霉素、复方新诺明、多西环素、四环素耐药,22%的菌株对头孢西丁耐药,43%的对氯霉素耐药,64%的对环丙沙星耐药,58%的对庆大霉素耐药;其它4地区分离株耐药情况更为严重,除头孢西丁以外,对其它9种抗生素均耐药。对菌株的多重耐药情况分析发现,新疆分离株中对5种以上抗生素耐药的占86.1%,对10种抗生素完全耐药的占17.4%;而内地分离株的数据为100%和38.2%。此外,在试验中鉴定出33株耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌,新疆19株,占新疆菌株的22.1%,内地四地区14株,占内地分离株的41.2%。结合2005~2009年间发表的相关耐药数据的分析结果,研究显示,我国牛源金黄色葡萄球菌呈现多重耐药,且出现了耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌,并在不同地区分离株中占有一定的比例;研究还发现,新疆分离株与浙江、山东、内蒙古和上海四地分离株的耐药情况有较大差异。此外,在整理药敏试验资料时,发现在金黄色葡萄球菌药敏试验中,药物的选择没有遵循选药规则,试验操作不规范和试验结果的报告不规范等问题,对此提出一些探讨性建议,供试验人员参考。     

Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of German Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis isolates by agar disk diffusion method

Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis is the causative agent of bovine genital campylobacteriosis and is transmitted by asymptomatic carrier bulls via contaminated semen during artificial insemination. The aim of the present study was to determine the in vitro susceptibility of Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis isolated from bovine specimens in the years from 2000 to 2009 in Germany to antibiotics generally used in semen treatment. The susceptibilities of 50 strains to spectinomycin (10 microg), gentamicin (10 microg), streptomycin (25 microg), penicillin (10 microg), lincomycin (10 microg), ciprofloxacin (5 microg), erythromycin (30 microg) and tetracycline (30 microg) were determined using a disk diffusion susceptibility test. All strains were susceptible to gentamicin. A considerably reduced susceptibility to one or more antimicrobial agents was detected in seven out of 50 isolates (14%) with the most frequent reduction in susceptibility to lincomycin and spectinomycin. Furthermore, strains with reduced susceptibility to more than one antimicrobial agent were always associated with reduced susceptibility to lincomycin. It is recommended to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis isolates in order to evaluate the efficacy of the generally used antibiotic treatment of bull semen and to detect possible resistances.     

Survey of antimicrobial susceptibility testing practices of veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the United States

OBJECTIVE: To describe antimicrobial susceptibility testing practices of veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the United States and evaluate the feasibility of collating this information for the purpose of monitoring antimicrobial resistance in bacterial isolates from animals. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PROCEDURES: A questionnaire was mailed to veterinary diagnostic laboratories throughout the United States to identify those laboratories that conduct susceptibility testing. Nonrespondent laboratories were followed up through telephone contact and additional mailings. Data were gathered regarding methods of susceptibility testing, standardization of methods, data management, and types of isolates tested. RESULTS: Eighty-six of 113 (76%) laboratories responded to the survey, and 64 of the 86 (74%) routinely performed susceptibility testing on bacterial isolates from animals. Thirty-four of the 36 (94%) laboratories accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians responded to the survey. Laboratories reported testing > 160,000 bacterial isolates/y. Fifty-one (88%) laboratories reported using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion test to evaluate antimicrobial susceptibility; this accounted for 65% of the isolates tested. Most (87%) laboratories used the NCCLS (National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards) documents for test interpretation. Seventy-five percent of the laboratories performed susceptibility testing on bacterial isolates only when they were potential pathogens. CONCLUSIONS: The veterinary diagnostic laboratories represent a comprehensive source of data that is not easily accessible in the United States. Variability in testing methods and data storage would present challenges for data aggregation, summary, and interpretation.     

Minimal inhibitory concentrations of antimicrobial agents against Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae.

Forty-five isolates of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae were tested for susceptibility to 12 antimicrobial agents using a microdilution method for the minimal inhibitory concentration determinations. These results confirmed the high prevalence of A. pleuropneumoniae strains resistant to antibiotics as reported earlier using the disc diffusion method (Kirby-Bauer method). While 36% of the isolates were resistant to the penicillins, 47% were resistant to chloramphenicol and 68% were resistant to tetracycline. Minimal inhibitory concentrations for the resistant isolates were approximately 32 times higher than those for the susceptible isolates to the above antibacterial agents. The isolates were in general weakly susceptible or resistant to spectinomycin, lincomycin, tiamulin and spiramycin whereas most of them were susceptible to gentamicin, trimethoprim and erythromycin. The susceptibility pattern was similar throughout the 1980 to 1984 period. The 14 serotype 5 isolates were more resistant to tetracycline but less resistant to chloramphenicol and the penicillins than the 28 serotype 1 isolates.     

Identification and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of bacteria causing otitis externa in dogs

Bacterial agents are considered important pathogens causing external otitis in dogs. It is essential to carry out bacterial culture and antimicrobial susceptibility test in the case of otitis externa, particularly for chronic or recurring cases. Sterile swab samples were obtained from terminal part of vertical ear canals of 74 dogs with otitis externa for cytology, bacterial culture and antimicrobial susceptibility test. Cytologic smears were stained using Gram and Giemsa staining methods. Aerobic bacterial culture performed on blood agar and MacConkey agar. Among total number of 92 isolated bacteria, 68 were Staphylococcus intermedius. Other isolated bacteria included: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli, Pasteurella canis, and six other species of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. Antimicrobial susceptibility test were performed for all isolated bacteria using 14 antibiotics. Based on the results of this study, all isolated Staphylococcus spp. were sensitive to amikacin, enrofloxacin, and rifampin, and had low resistance to gentamicin, cephalothin and ceftriaxone. More than half of gram-positive isolates were resistant to penicillin and ampicillin. Generally, all isolated gram-negative bacteria, were sensitive to amikacin and enrofloxacin, and had low resistance to ceftriaxone and gentamicin. They were highly resistant to penicillin, eythromycin, and cephalothin. Regarding the results of this study, in cases of uncomplicated otitis externa, it is possible to select antimicrobial drugs merely based on cytology, but it is recommended to perform bacterial culture and antimicrobial susceptibility test. However, in complicated or refractory cases, antimicrobials should be selected based on bacterial culture and antimicrobial susceptibility test.