DoGsTAilS: Developing a nanopore-based diagnostic approach for the effective antibiotic treatment of canine infections
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Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an urgent global health concern, and not just for humans. Recurrent urinary tract and skin infections are common in dogs, leading to repeated courses of antibiotic treatment. Current culture-based diagnostic and antibiotic susceptibility tests take at least 48 hours; in the meantime, inappropriate or broad-spectrum antimicrobials may be used. We are developing a rapid method for identifying the responsible pathogen in canine skin (pyoderma) and urinary tract infections (UTIs), and predicting potential antimicrobial resistance. Pyoderma and UTIs are commonly associated with multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria, and are the principle reasons for antimicrobial use in small animal practice1 . Together, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius are seen in around 64% of all UTIs and 46% of all cases of pydoderma at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies’ Hospital for Small Animals. Importantly, AMR prediction based on gene content is >97% accurate for E. coli and >99% accurate for Staphylococcus species.