Antimicrobial Resistance in Canine Otitis Externa
Summary
Canine otitis externa is a frequent inflammatory disorder of the external ear canal in dogs, often driven by bacterial colonisation and secondary dysbiosis of the normal ear microbiota. Among the principal bacterial pathogens, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Pseudomonas aeruginosa pose particular therapeutic challenges owing to their capacity for intrinsic resistance, rapid acquisition of additional resistance determinants and robust biofilm formation. Antimicrobial resistance in this context can lead to prolonged treatment courses, increased animal welfare concerns and elevated costs for owners. Moreover, multidrug-resistant strains of P. aeruginosa have been identified that share sequence types with high-risk human nosocomial isolates, highlighting potential One Health risks. Current research seeks to characterise patterns of resistance, decipher the genetic and phenotypic underpinnings of virulence and biofilm production, and explore alternative or adjunctive therapies such as bacteriophage application, novel antibiofilm agents and topical synergistic drug combinations. Enhanced surveillance of resistance trends, guided antimicrobial stewardship in veterinary practice and deeper understanding of bacterial population structure are essential to safeguard both animal and human health.
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Antimicrobial Resistance in Canine Otitis Externa publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in antimicrobial resistance in canine otitis externa across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Otitis externa: Inflammation of the external ear canal, typically involving microbial overgrowth and secondary infection.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR): The reduced ability of microorganisms to be inhibited or killed by standard therapeutic agents.
Biofilm: A structured community of bacteria encased in a self-produced extracellular matrix that adheres to surfaces and shields pathogens from antimicrobials.
Sequence type (ST): A numeric code assigned to bacterial strains based on multilocus sequence typing to define clonal lineages.
Exolysin (ExlA): A pore-forming toxin secreted by certain Pseudomonas strains that contributes to cell damage and evasion of host defences.
References
- Screening for Antimicrobial Resistance and Genes of Exotoxins in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates from Infected Dogs and Cats in Poland. Antibiotics (2023).
- Genomic and phenotypic characterisation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from canine otitis externa reveals high-risk sequence types identical to those found in human nosocomial infections. Frontiers in Microbiology (2025).
- Pseudomonas spp. in Canine Otitis Externa. Microorganisms (2023).
- Antibiotic Susceptibility Profile of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Canine Isolates from a Multicentric Study in Romania. Antibiotics (2021).
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