Profiling the composition of resistome and bacteriome in the upper respiratory tract of domestic cats with respiratory signs in China

Abstract

Aim: Domestic cats, among the most popular pets globally, may harbor antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) and zoonotic pathogens that impact human health. This study aims to investigate the resistome and bacteriome composition in the upper respiratory tract of domestic cats with respiratory signs in China.

Methods: We performed metagenomic sequencing on 1,454 oropharyngeal-nasal swabs from cats with respiratory signs across diverse living conditions in 22 Chinese provinces. Resistome and bacteriome profiles were analyzed using these sequencing data.

Results: We characterized the resistome and bacteriome in the upper respiratory tract of cats, identifying a wide range of ARGs - including those conferring resistance to last-resort antibiotics {e.g., carbapenems (bla_NDM, bla_OXA-244, bla_VIM-13, bla_VIM-33), colistin (mcr), and high-level tigecycline [MIC ≥ 4 µg/mL; tet(X3), tet(X4), tet(X5), tet(X6)]}. Additionally, we detected numerous bacterial species of public health concerns, including the six leading antimicrobial resistance-associated pathogens (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and other high-burden pathogens linked to global morbidity, mortality, and therapeutic challenges.

Conclusion: The findings highlight the potential zoonotic risks posed by cats. Including monitoring of this companion species within the One Health approach to address public health concerns is necessary.

Keywords

Domestic cats / genomic surveillance / resistome / bacteriome / China

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