Molecular detection of Proteus mirabilis isolated from dog with otitis externa

Otitis externa is a common skin infectious disease in dogs, Proteus mirabilis it is one of the causative agents of otitis externa in dogs. This bacterium possesses -many of virulence factors that participate to its pathogenicity. The objective of this study was to detected molecularly P. mirabilis and some of its virulence genes and to detect the sensitivity of this bacterium against antibiotics including amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (AMC, 20/10μg), amikacin (AK, 30μg), ceftriaxone (CTR, 30μg), ceftazidime (CAZ, 30μg), gentamicin (CN, 10μg), chloramphenicol (C,30 μg), Piperacillin/Tazobactam (TPZ, 36μg), Norfloxacin (N30, μg), Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (SXT 25μg). A total of 50 swabs were collected from tears of dogs with otitis externa in Mosul city -between September 2024-March 2025. The samples transported under cooled and sterile condition to microbiology lab -College of Veterinary Medicine -University of Mosul. The isolation and diagnosis of P. mirabilis were done using conventional methods. PCR was used to confirm the detection of the isolates and to detect their virulence genes (ureC &, zapA) genes. The results of this study showed that 38% of isolates were belonging to P. mirabilis. The isolates were resist to- various –groups of antibiotics including Amoxicillin/Clavulanic Acid (94.7%) Piperacillin/Tazobactam (89.5%), Ceftriaxone(79%).The isolates gave amplicon products 1500 bp for16SrRNA. The results showed that all isolates were possessed the ure C & Zap A genes. The study concluded that the infection of dogs' ears with this bacterium, which is highly resistant to antibiotics and possesses multiple virulence factors, poses a threat to the animals and to human public health.