Antimicrobial resistance in sheltered and owned Cretan dogs

In my PhD studies, I am investigating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in various dog populations around the world. My focus is on Extended-spectrum-betalactamase (ESBL/AmpC) and carbapenemase -producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

In this study, we collected samples from sheltered and owned dogs, as well as the shelter environment, in Crete, Greece. The samples were cultured on selective media to detect ESBL/AmpC/carbapenemase -producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae. Samples were further phenotypically and genotypically investigated to characterize the bacteria.

The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of the studied bacteria in Cretan dogs, as well as the environment, and to shed light on the possible drivers affecting AMR development and transmission in different dog populations. 

This study is funded by the University of Helsinki and the Finnish Foundation of Veterinary Research.