Bacterial distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of ascitic fluid isolates from dogs and cats in Japan.

Authors

Mei Sakamoto, Yukihiro Oyama, Chikara Satake, Kazuki Harada

Published in

The Journal of veterinary medical science. Oct 26, 2026. Epub Oct 26, 2026.

Abstract

Septic peritonitis is a life-threatening condition in dogs and cats, requiring appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Thus, knowledge of local bacterial epidemiology and antimicrobial susceptibility is crucial. However, large-scale comparative data in Japan are lacking. This retrospective cross-sectional study investigated bacterial isolates from canine and feline ascitic fluid samples submitted to a diagnostic laboratory in Japan between October 2022 and March 2026. Bacterial distribution was evaluated in 673 isolates from 496 ascitic fluid samples, and antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed for Enterobacterales, Enterococcus spp., and anaerobic bacteria. Gram-negative bacilli were the most frequently isolated bacterial group (55.6%), followed by gram-positive cocci (29.6%) and anaerobic bacteria (12.0%). Escherichia coli was the most frequently isolated bacterium (39.4%). Dogs had significantly higher isolation rates of Enterobacterales, whereas anaerobic bacteria were significantly more prevalent in cats. Polymicrobial infection rates were similar between the two host species. Antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of Enterobacterales and Enterococcus spp. were largely comparable between dogs and cats. Amikacin exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity against Enterobacterales, whereas enrofloxacin demonstrated limited activity against Enterobacterales and Enterococcus spp. Chloramphenicol exhibited potent activity against all major bacterial groups. Feline anaerobic isolates were significantly more susceptible to cefmetazole and clindamycin than canine isolates. To our knowledge, this is the first large-scale epidemiological study of bacterial distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility in canine and feline ascitic fluid isolates in Japan. These findings provide valuable epidemiological evidence to guide the selection of appropriate antimicrobial therapy in canine and feline abdominal infections.

PMID:
42927916
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 26 Oct 2026.

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