EC26S-020: Combating Hospital-Acquired Carbapenem-Resistant Organism Infections in Cats

Carbapenem-resistant organisms (CRO) are bacteria that have developed resistance to some of the most powerful antibiotics (carbapenems) available. While carbapenems are rarely used to treat infections in cats, CRO infections are becoming more common in veterinary hospitals and can be very difficult to treat. These infections can make cats very sick, increase the cost of care, and even pose a risk to pet owners and veterinary staff because these bacteria can spread between animals and people. Our study focuses on three types of CRO: carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE), carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB), and carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA). These bacteria can live in a cat’s intestines or on their skin without causing illness, called colonization, but they can also cause serious infections. Currently, veterinarians have very little information about which antibiotics might work against these bacteria in cats, and many of the drugs used in humans are not recommended for animals. We will test previously collected bacterial isolates from cats to find antibiotics that are effective against these CROs, affordable, and safe for veterinary use. We will also study colonizing CRO strains found in the gastrointestinal tract of hospitalized cats to understand how resistant they are and how they compare to bacteria that cause infections. By creating a feline-specific guide to treating these infections, our research will help veterinarians make better treatment decisions, reduce the spread of these dangerous bacteria in hospitals, and protect both cats and people. (George Sydney and Phyllis Redmond Miller Trust) (EveryCat General Fund)