[R factors in strains of pathogenic enterobacteria isolated from domestic animals and particularly from dogs].

Strains of enterobacteria (nine and two ) isolated from primary or secondary infections in the dog, cat, pig, calf and kangaroo were studied for the presence of extrachromosomal drug resistance factors (R factors). Seven strains of and two strains of transferred resistance involving the following antibiotics: streptomycin, ampicillin, chloramphenicol, neomycin and tetracycline. All strains harboring R factors transferred streptomycin resistance and the identified resistance patterns were as follows: Sm Am, Sm Te, Sm Neo, Sm Am Te, Sm CI Neo and Sm Am CI Te. The levels of resistance observed were comparable for all donor strains and their converted recipients. Strains of harboring R factors were isolated from three dogs that had died of either otitis (followed by a generalized infection), enteritis or bronchopneumonia — secondary to distemper. The bacteria isolated from cats were recovered at the necropsy of animals that had died of purulent pleuresy and feline panleukopenia. The other strains (two and one were isolated from fatal enteric diseases in the pig, calf and kangaroo.