Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Yersinia species Isolated from Dogs and Cats

Y infection is one of the five main bacterial gastrointestinal diseases of humans. Limited information on the presence of Yersinia spp. from companion animals, especially dogs and cats were found. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the existence of Yersinia spp. in companion animals and to evaluate the antimicrobial profile of zoonotic isolates using classical microbiological techniques and multiplex PCR targeting four virulenceassociated genes ystA (Yersinia stable toxin gene), ail (attachment-invasion locus gene), inv (invasion gene) and yadA (Yersinia adhesion gene). The study included 200 fecal samples from (cats n= 120 and dogs n= 80), and stool specimens (n=50) from contact owners. Twenty-nine (14.5%) out of 200 fecal samples were found to be positive for Yersinia species which were identified as Y. enterocolitica was (51.7%), Y. intermedia (20.6%), moreover, Y. Frederiksen (27.5%). For human stool specimens, Yersinia species found to 8 (16%), and Y. enterocolitica 50 %. The sensitivity rates of Y. enterocolotica to the following antibiotics ciprofloxacin, cefepime, imipenem, norfloxacin, amikacin, cefotaxime was 94.7, 84.2%, 78.4%, 78.4%, 68.4% and 57.9%, respectively. In conclusion, Yersinia species particularly Y. enterocolitica and related species are existing in dogs, cats, and their human contacts in our locality. Recovery of such enteropathogens and identification of the virulent genes provide an information about the public health hazard and zoonotic role played by such pets as a source and reservoirs. Identification of prevalence of such infection may help to construct the ideal treatment and preventive measures.