Third-generation cephalosporin resistant Escherichia coli in dogs and cats in Germany in 2019–2021

This research aimed to determine the 3rd generation cephalosporin resistance (3GCR) in Escherichia coli isolated from clinical samples of dogs and cats in Germany. The study used data from antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) from 3,491 veterinary practices in Germany from 2019 to 2021. Out of 175,171 clinical samples, 14,6% were evaluated for susceptibility to antimicrobials, including cefovecin. The cefovecin resistance proportion was 11.6%, with local variations of ±3%. The study highlights the importance of integrated AMR monitoring and the potential transmission of 3GCR between companion animals and other environmental sources.