A Comparative Analysis of Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns and Genes inFrom Humans and Animals in Veterinary Clinics Across Thailand.

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in() poses critical public health challenges by limiting treatment efficacy and elevating morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs.This study examined the prevalence and characteristics of AMR inisolated from humans (veterinarians, veterinary assistants, and pet owners) and animals (dogs and cats) in veterinary clinics across five provinces in Thailand. A total of 882 samples were collected from which 188isolates were recovered and subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing and resistance gene detection.Substantial variations in AMR profiles were observed across host categories, with veterinarians and veterinary assistants exhibiting higher resistance rates than pet owners. The β-lactam resistance geneZ was prevalent in all groups, whereasA was predominantly detected in veterinarians and dogs, emphasizing the occupational risk and zoonotic transmission potential. The aminoglycoside resistance geneAD was common in cats, and quinolone resistance genesA andA were identified in veterinarians and dogs. Macrolide resistance genesA andA, lincosamide resistance geneA, and tetracycline resistance geneK were widely distributed across the groups.typing ofisolates revealed diverse group distributions, withgroup I was predominant in human samples and associated with the highest AMR gene expression, whilegroup III was most prevalent in animal samples and also exhibited elevated AMR gene expression within that group.This study underscored the diverse distribution of AMR genes, with veterinarians and veterinary assistants facing higher occupational risks. The findings highlighted the importance of integrated antimicrobial stewardship and surveillance within a One Health framework to mitigate the spread of AMR in veterinary and community settings.