Brianna Salgado

She/her

Education: Bachelor of Science in animal sciences and industry (May 2019)

Currently pursuing an Master of Science in pathobiology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

McNair Project: Development of Local Kansas E. Coli UTI Antibiograms to Improve Antimicrobial Stewardship in Companion Animal Medicine (2018)

Mentor: Kate KuKanich, D.V.M. and Ph.D.

Urinary tract infections are common in dogs, but rare in cats. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of urine isolates is required to determine optimal antimicrobial therapy, but empirical antimicrobial guidelines are needed while culture is pending or if testing is declined. Antibiograms are summaries of susceptibility trends that assist clinicians in selecting empirical antimicrobial therapy. Antibiograms were developed from E. coli feline (N=138) and canine (N=640) urinary isolates submitted by the KSU Veterinary Health Center and private veterinary practices from 2013-2017. Results showed a high prevalence of resistance among feline isolates to amoxicillin-clavulanate (99.3%, S≤0.25) and ampicillin (99.3%, S≤0.25), but lower prevalence among canine isolates (amoxicillin/clavulanate 7.7% S≤8), ampicillin 46.7%, S≤8). Resistance to other antimicrobials was uncommon, with no antimicrobial agents demonstrating resistance above 6% in feline isolates, or above 14% in canine isolates. Canine isolates from private veterinary practices had increased resistance as compared with KSU isolates to orbifloxacin (9.5% vs 0.1%) and pradofloxaxin (9.4% vs 0.1%). Application of different breakpoints and differences in antibiotic exposures may explain the disparity of Beta-Lactam resistance between cats and dogs. Different use patterns between hospitals may explain the disparity between fluoroquinolone resistance. These findings emphasize the need for definitive urine culture and susceptibility testing in pets with UTIs, so that appropriate and effective antimicrobial therapy can be prescribed. Veterinary clinicians in Kansas can use these antibiogram results as part of stewardship programs to maximize successful UTI therapy for veterinary patients and minimize development of antimicrobial resistance for the One Health community.