Molecular confirmation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in dogs affected with otitis externa

Abstract

The present study was carried out to confirm Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates and detect extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) genes in dogs affected with otitis externa. A total of 52 cases were clinically diagnosed as otitis externa amongst 263 dogs of various ages and breeds examined at the Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Anjora, Durg, as well as at several Government Veterinary Hospitals and private pet clinics in and around Durg. Among these, Pseudomonas species were isolated from 19 cases, which were further subjected to molecular confirmation. Amplification of the species-specific 16S rRNA gene (956 bp) confirmed Pseudomonas aeruginosa in all 19 samples. Tentatively confirmed P. aeruginosa isolates were screened for ESBL-producing genes (blaTEM, blaSHV and blaCTX-M) using PCR. The prevalence of ESBL genes was found to be 36.84% (blaTEM, n = 7), 21.05% (blaSHV, n = 4), and 5.26% (blaCTX-M, n = 1). The study confirms the molecular presence of P. aeruginosa in canine otitis externa and highlights the occurrence of ESBL-producing strains, indicating the need for prudent antimicrobial use in veterinary practice.