Whole-Genome Sequencing of Feline Uropathogens Isolated from Domestic Cats uncovers Resistance Mechanisms and Potential for Cross-species Transmission

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in cats are increasingly recognized as clinically significant, often involving multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria with zoonotic potential. Despite the growing number of reports describing resistant bacteria in feline populations, genomic data on feline uropathogens remain scarce in Tunisia. This study aimed to characterize the resistome and sequence types of bacterial isolates recovered from cats with clinical signs of UTI using whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Urine samples were collected from eleven diseased domestic cats, and six isolates were identified and sequenced using the Illumina iSeq100 platform. The analysis revealed multiple multi-drug resistant (MDR) species, including Mammaliicoccus lentus (formerly Staphylococcus lentus, n=2), Staphylococcus schleiferi subsp. coagulans (n=1), Mammaliicoccus sciuri (formerly Staphylococcus sciuri, n=1), Enterococcus faecalis (n=1), Enterococcus casseliflavus (n=1), and Klebsiella aerogenes (n=1). Genomic profiling uncovered diverse antimicrobial resistance determinants, notably genes conferring acquired resistance to beta-lactams, methicillin, macrolides, tetracyclines, and colistin, underscoring their clinical and zoonotic relevance. This work represents the first WGS-based characterization of feline UTI pathogens in Tunisia and emphasizes the necessity of integrating companion animals into genomic surveillance programs under the One Health approach to monitor and mitigate antimicrobial resistance dissemination.