Abstract:
Sir, It has been considered that companion animals may act asreservoirs for pathogenic bacteria, which is a major concernconsidering that inadequate management of animal waste orcross-contact may represent potential transmission routes ofpathogenic bacteria, including their antimicrobial resistance genes[1]. In this study, we report the presence and diversity ofEscherichia coli strains harbouring mcr-1 and clinically relevantβ-lactamases isolated from dogs in Ambato, central Ecuador,during 2018.A total of 117 faecal samples were collected between December2017 and May 2018 from three veterinary hospitals and three straydog rescue facilities. Collection of samples was based on theowner’s willingness to collaborate in this study. A standardisedquestionnaire was used to collect animal information. Singlecolonies with E. coli-like morphology isolated from faecal sampleswere confirmed using biochemical tests. Antimicrobial suscepti-bility testing was performed using VITEK(2 and the brothmicrodilution method for colistin according to Clinical andLaboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines.