Phylogeny, pathogenic and antimicrobial resistance traits of Escherichia coli isolated from the urinary tract of cats: Associations with recurrence or persistence of bacteriuria

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are very common in senior cats. There is scrutiny regarding the use of antibiotics with concern for increasing antimicrobial resistance. New technologies (e.g. whole genome sequencing (WGS)) allow examination of genes that help bacteria evade the body's defences and confer antibiotic resistance. WGS will be used to evaluate the genetic profile of ~150 urinary Escherichia coli isolates. This study will examine differences between cats with obvious clinical signs, recurrent UTI and those where antibiotics fail to eradicate the infection providing important information that may change the way we use antibiotics in cats with UTI in the future.