Characterisation of the bacterial isolates from transmissible venereal tumour lesions of dogs and their antibiogram resistance in Nsukka area, Southeastern Nigeria

Abstract

Bacterial isolates and their antibiogram resistance were studied using swab samples collected from transmissible venereal tumour (TVT) lesions within the vagina (ten dogs) and the vaginal mucosa of another ten healthy dogs. The samples were inoculated into the blood and on nutrient agar plates, incubated aerobically for 24 h at 37 °C and examined with hand lens. The characteristic appearance of different colonies, size, shape, arrangement, colour, pattern of growth, spreading or not and consistency were noted. Also, areas of haemolysis (α and β) were recorded. The cultures were then subjected to the Gram stain reaction. Based on the colonial characteristics, Gram stain and microscopic morphologies, organism suspected to be of significance were sub-cultured on nutrient agar and incubated aerobically for 24 h at 37 °C, after which the bottles were stored at 4 °C for subsequent use. Antimicrobial resistance profiles of the organisms were determined using the disc diffusion method. Staphylococcus spp. (44.4 %) and Escherichia spp. (66.6 %) were isolates from TVT lesions. Staphylococcus spp. (28.6 %), Proteus spp. (14.3 %), Enterobacter spp. (14.4 %), Escherichia spp. (28.6 %) and unidentified coliform spp. (14.3 %) were isolated from the normal dogs. Escherichia coli isolates were 100 % resistant to rifampicin and 20 % resistance to ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin. Staphylococcal isolates from the TVT dogs were resistant to the tested drugs except gentamycin (25 %) and ofloxacin (25 %). It is concluded that TVT lesions do not encourage bacterial growth. High multi-drug resistant organisms were found in both normal and TVT dogs.