Escherichia coli in dogs and cats and its zoonotic potential – a review

While diseases in humans seem to be an isolated concern, many are caused by zoonotic agents. The increasingly close contact between pets and their guardians must be considered, and investigations related to pathogens that are frequently found in humans and other animals must be carried out. Escherichia coli, in addition to being a commensal bacterium found in the intestinal tract of many animals, is one of the most frequent causes of several bacterial infections. Recent studies indicate that contact between humans and animals could contribute to the transmission between species of E. coli strains that produce extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) and AmpC-type lactamases, which are antimicrobial-resistant (multi-resistant). However, more studies are needed for these assumption to be confirmed. This review addresses the zoonotic potential of E. coli based on research related to the finding of pathogenic strains in animals and humans.