Skip to main content
SLU publication database (SLUpub)

Research article2016Peer reviewed

Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Bacteroides spp. From Clinical Samples From Horses

Ovesen, Agnes Louise; Riihimaki, Miia; Baverud, Viveca; Pringle, Marit

Abstract

The objective of the study was to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of 28 individual clinical isolates from horses, previously identified by phenotypic methods as Bacteroides spp., and to species identify these isolates using matrix-assisted-laser-desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Rarely are Bacteroides spp. identified to species level, and treatment of infection with anaerobes is seldom guided by antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The gram-negative anaerobic rods were species identified using MALDI-TOF MS and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by nitrocefin hydrolysis and broth microdilution. The isolates were identified as Bacteroides fragilis, Bacteroides heparinolyticus, Bacteroides ovatus, Bacteroides pyogenes, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, Bacteroides sp., Parabacteroides distasonis, Porphyromonas sp., Prevotella sp., and Prevotella dentasini. All isolates had low minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of metronidazole. beta-Lactamase production and high MICs of penicillin, cephalothin, ceftiofur, erythromycin, fusidic acid, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole were recorded for B. fragilis, B. ovatus, and B. thetaiotaomicron. Parabacteroides distasonis did not produce beta-lactamase but were still resistant to penicillin and in addition to the aforementioned substances also had high MICs of tetracycline. Bacteroides heparinolyticus, B. pyogenes, and the isolates identified as Porphyromonas sp., Prevotella sp., and P. dentasini did not produce beta-lactamase and were generally more susceptible against the tested antimicrobial agents. It is concluded that antimicrobial susceptibility differs substantially between species of genus Bacteroides and it is difficult to species identify anaerobic gram-negative rods by conventional phenotypic methods. It is important both to species identify gram-negative anaerobic rods and perform antimicrobial susceptibility testing to ensure correct treatment. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Bacteroides spp.; Antibiotic resistance; Anaerobic bacteria; Horse; MALDI-TOF MS

Published in

Journal of Equine Veterinary Science
2016, Volume: 45, pages: 46-52
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC

      SLU Authors

          Associated SLU-program

          AMR: Bacteria

          Sustainable Development Goals

          Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

          UKÄ Subject classification

          Clinical Science

          Publication identifier

          DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2016.06.073

          Permanent link to this page (URI)

          https://res.slu.se/id/publ/82971