Characteristics of Dogs with Biofilm-Forming Escherichia Coli Urinary Tract Infections

Abstract

Background: Bacterial urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in companion animals. Increasing awareness of biofilm-forming bacteria raises concern regarding the appropriate diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of UTIs associated with these organisms. Hypothesis/Objectives: To (1) describe the population of dogs with UTIs associated with biofilm-forming Escherichia coli and (2) determine whether or not clinical differences exist between dogs with biofilm-forming E. coli UTIs and dogs with nonbiofilm-forming E. coli UTIs. We hypothesized that there would be no difference in the population characteristics, but that biofilm-formation would be more prevalent in dogs with chronic, complicated, and asymptomatic UTIs. Animals: Seventy-six client-owned dogs with E. coli UTIs, divided into 2 groups based on the biofilm-forming capability of stored bacterial isolates as assessed by the crystal violet assay. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study. Medical records of the affected dogs were reviewed and their population and infection characteristics were compared. Results: Most (52.6%) E. coli isolates were capable of forming biofilms. Biofilm-forming E. coli had a lower likelihood (P