Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an issue of global concern that includes human, animal, and environmental health. To tackle this phenomenon, a One Health approach is required through the involvement of all these interconnected elements. The environment poses challenges for investigation, but wildlife animals, not directly exposed to antibiotic treatments and interacting with their habitats, can serve as indicators of AMR contamination. Specifically, wild birds could play a significant role in dissemination of AMR, as they can acquire AMR bacteria from wildlife reservoirs and disperse them through environments. This study aims to assess the prevalence of AMR in commensal bacteria isolated from wild birds and their role as bioindicators of environmental AMR. A total of 73 birds belonging to various species were sampled in the Emilia-Romagna region with buccal, cloacal and feather samplings. The samples were cultured on selective media, colonies were identified using MALDI-TOF technology and antimicrobial susceptibility to different drugs was assessed using the Kirby-Bauer method. The birds' data were statistically evaluated in relation to AMR percentages. In total, 117 bacterial strains were isolated, belonging to 23 genera and 46 different bacterial species. The highest non-susceptibility percentages were observed for tetracycline (12.2 %) and enrofloxacin (8.6 %) considering all bacterial isolates, as well as for oxacillin (46.8 %), clindamycin (29.3 %) and rifampicin (20.8 %), among Gram-positive isolates. In the statistical analysis, a higher AMR percentage was correlated with Gram-positive isolates from birds belonging to rural/urban habitat (p = 0.01). Among Gram-positives, a higher oxacillin non-susceptibility percentage was found to be associated with isolates from birds sampled in province of Bologna (p = 0.007), a higher enrofloxacin non-susceptibility percentage revealed an association with rural/urban habitat (p = 0.02), while a higher non-susceptibility percentage towards rifampicin resulted associated with isolates from migratory birds (p = 0.031). In conclusion, this preliminary study suggests a potential role of wild birds as bioindicators for monitoring AMR contamination in the environment.

The role of companion animals in the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is still not well known. As part of a wider surveillance system, this study aimed to provide data about AMR in bacterial isolates from infections in companion animals referred to an Italian University Veterinary Hospital (VUH) from November 2020 to September 2022. A total of 940 isolates were identified with MALDI-TOF MS and subsequently the antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) for 12 antimicrobials was performed. Urine was the most commonly submitted specimen (54.92%) and Escherichia coli was the most common bacterial species isolated (36.06%). Out of the 940 isolates, 747 (79.47%) were nonsusceptible to at least one drug (AMR), while 420 (44.68%) were considered multidrug resistant (MDR). The highest nonsusceptibility percentages were recorded for clindamycin (59.65 %), erythromycin (58.96 %), ampicillin (52.85%), and enrofloxacin (48.19%). Alarming percentages were recorded also for ceftiofur (25.51%), amoxicillin–clavulanate (22.99%), and piperacillin–tazobactam (15.85%). In multivariable risk factors analysis, previous use of invasive devices ( in both cases) and previous use of antimicrobials ( in both cases) were statistically related with higher AMR and MDR percentages. Apart from a general evaluation, the study focused on specific bacterial species (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp.) and specimens (blood cultures, urine from suspected healthcare-associated urinary tract infections, and surgical site infections), showing in both cases higher AMR and MDR percentages compared to average. These data highlight the urgency to further investigate AMR spread in pets and how passive surveillance systems can be effective tools to monitor AMR and to optimize antimicrobial use.

Bacterial urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in small animal practice and their inappropriate treatment contributes to the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) spreading. This study assessed bacterial prevalence, non-susceptibility percentages, antimicrobial prescription and the impact of the application of international guidelines redacted by the International Society for Companion Animals Infectious Disease (ISCAID) in dogs and cats with UTIs evaluated at a European veterinary university hospital, over a 30-month period. A total of 729 bacterial isolates were included. The most frequently isolated bacterial species was Escherichia coli in both dogs (52.8%) and cats (45.7%). Following ISCAID guidelines, almost half of the cases were classified as upper UTIs (24.9%) or recurrent cystitis (24.8%). Multidrug resistance (MDR) percentage was 37.3% (n = 272). Over five semesters, MDR significantly decreased (p = 0.001). Additionally, a significant decrease was recorded for specimens from patients previously treated (p = 0.018) and under treatment at sampling (p < 0.001). Previous treatment with amoxicillin-clavulanate (p = 0.001), marbofloxacin (p < 0.001), enrofloxacin (p < 0.001) and piperacillin-tazobactam (p = 0.016) was linked with higher MDR rates. This study highlighted that companion animals are potential reservoirs for AMR; moreover, international guidelines applied in the daily practice guiding antimicrobial stewardship can lead to a reduction in AMR over time.

In small animal practice, blood cultures (BCs) are essential for diagnosing bacterial bloodstream infections (BSIs) and guiding targeted antimicrobial therapy, particularly in relation to the rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens. This study analyzed 96 positive BCs from dogs and cats at the Veterinary University Hospital (VUH) of Bologna (2020–2024), assessing bacterial prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, and associated risk factors. Escherichia coli was the most common isolate (29/96), followed by Streptococcus canis (11/96). MDR percentage was 29.2% (28/96), with Gram-negatives associated with higher rates (p = 0.040). Nearly half of the cases (46.9%, 45/96) were suspected healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) significantly associated with the number of invasive devices used (p = 0.008) and with the absence of co-positive samples (p = 0.012). Empirical antibiotic therapy was administered in 94.8% (91/96) of cases, with ampicillin–sulbactam and marbofloxacin as the most used drugs. In vitro empirical therapy appropriateness was 76.9% (70/91). MDR was associated with inappropriate empirical therapy (p < 0.001). Mortality within 30 days was 36.5% (35/96), significantly linked to antibiotic escalation (p = 0.006). The findings highlight the need for systematic BC surveillance in veterinary settings to optimize treatment strategies (especially in countries with restrictions on antibiotic use in animals) to mitigate MDR spread and to protect public health.

In small animal practice, blood cultures (BCs) are essential for diagnosing bacterial bloodstream infections (BSIs), guiding targeted antimicrobial therapy particularly in relation to the rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens. This study analyzed 96 positive BCs from dogs and cats at the Veterinary University Hospital (VUH) of Bologna (2020–2024), assessing bacterial prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, and associated risk factors. Escherichia coli was the most common isolate (29/96), followed by Streptococcus canis (11/96). MDR percentage was 29.2% (28/96), with gram-negatives associated with higher rates (p=0.040). Nearly half of the cases (46.9%, 45/96) were suspected healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), significantly associated with the number of invasive devices used (p=0.008), and with the absence of co-positive samples (p=0.012). Empirical antibiotic therapy was administered in 94.8% (91/96) of cases, with ampicillin-sulbactam and marbofloxacin as the most used drugs. In vitro empirical therapy appropriateness was 76.9% (70/91). MDR was associated with inappropriate empirical therapy (p<0.001). Mortality within 30 days was 36.5% (35/96), significantly linked to antibiotic escalation (p=0.006). The findings highlight the need for systematic BC surveillance in veterinary settings to optimize treatment strategies (especially in countries with restrictions on antibiotic use in animals), to mitigate MDR spread and to protect public health.

Protoparvovirus carnivoran 1 (PPVC-1), Canine adenovirus type 1 and 2 (CAdV-1 and CAdV-2), and Canine circovirus (CanineCV) are highly diffusive viruses that affect domestic and wild carnivores worldwide, yet limited data are available on their circulation in Eastern European countries. In this retrospective study, the presence of these DNA viruses was investigated using molecular assays on fecal samples from 89 companion animals (56 dogs and 33 cats) collected in Romania between 2019 and 2021. The pathogens identified were analyzed genetically. Overall, 36/56 (64.3%) dogs and 5/33 (15.2%) cats tested positive for PPVC-1, 1/56 (1.8%) dogs for CAdV-1 and CAdV-2, and 15/56 (26.8%) dogs for CanineCV. In total, 40/56 (71.4%) dogs were positive for at least one of the screened pathogens. Novel findings in dogs included the frequent detection of canine parvovirus type 2c of Asian origin (Asian-like CPV-2c) and the first genetic data on CAdV-1 and CanineCV circulating in Romania. This study provides new insights into the epidemiology of DNA viruses in dogs and cats from Romania and highlights the need for ongoing monitoring of circulating pathogens to safeguard animal health, prevent outbreaks and limit potential transboundary spread.