Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Streptococcus species isolated from the vagina of bitches in Lagos metropolis, Nigeria

Streptococcus species are opportunistic pathogens of dogs and cats that can alsoinfect a wide range of domesticated animals. Streptococcus canis (Lancefield group G) has been incriminated as a cause of infertility in bitches. However, there is dearth of information on its role in infertility in bitches in Nigeria. This study investigated the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Streptococcus species from the vagina of bitches in five (5) out of sixteen Local Government Areas of Lagos metropolis. Vaginal swab samples were collected from 72 fertile and 82 infertile bitches and subjected to culturing and biochemical tests. Thereafter, the isolates were identified using Lancefield serology method. Of the 154 bitches sampled, 14 Streptococcus isolates were obtained, giving a prevalence of 9.1%. Other bacteria isolated from the samples were Staphylococcus species 44 (28.6%), Proteus species 34 (22.1%), Escherichia coli 24 (15.8%), Klebsiella species 18 (11.7%), Bacillus species 9 (5.8%), Pseudomonas species 9 (5.8%), and Serratia veridan 2 (1.3%). All the Streptococcus isolates were resistant to oxacillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, trimethoprim, gentamicin, sulphonamide, cefotaxime, ampicillin and amoxicillin, but were all susceptible to ciprofloxacin, while (85.7%) of Streptococci isolates were resistant to colistin sulphate thus showing multidrug resistance. Prevalence of Streptococcus species was not significantly different between fertile and infertile bitches (p > 0.05). Eight (57.1%) of the 14 isolates belonged to Lancefield group G, while the other six belonged to group B (2), group C (1), group D (1) and dual groups (2). The prevalence of group G Streptococcus species (3.9%) in infertile bitches was significantly (p< 0.05) higher than in fertile bitches (1.3%). There was a significant association (p< 0.05) between the presence of Lancefield group G Streptococcus species and the fertility status of the bitches in the study. It was therefore concluded that Lancefield group G Streptococcus may be associated with infertility in bitches from Lagos metropolis