Characteristics of some properties of E. coli isolates from canine pyometra

A total of 128 cultures of E. coli isolated from uterine pus from IU bitche s with a clinical diagnosis of pyometra were examined by biotyping, resisto typing, drug susceptibility, serum resistance and enzymatic activities. Amo ng the isolates a total of 12 different biochemical profiles were distingui shed. The majority (92.8%) of the isolates fell into 5 biotypes. From among 20 biochemical features tested with the API 20E System, only sis were reco gnized to induce variations of strains. These are ornithine decarboxylase, fermentation of rhamnose, saccharose, melibiose, sorbitol and inositol. Sev en major enzymatic types were defined on the ground of differentiation in a ctivity of esterase (C4), esterase lipase (C8), beta-glukuronidase and alph a-galactosidase. 47 (36.7%) of the E. coli strains were resistant to two or more drugs. However five strains were resistant to 12 or more antimicrobia l agents. As analysis of resistance to some chemical agents was evidence of seven resistogram types. The majority (62.5%) of the isolates were include d in profile ABEH. Resistance to bactericidal action of serum was detected in 119 (93%) strains tested.