Distribution of coagulase-positive staphylococci in humans and dogs

Jurate Sleiniute,Jurate Siugzdaite

doi:10.2754/avb201584040313

Abstract

Staphylococci form part of the normal flora of humans and a wide variety of animals. Some staphylococcal species also cause infections for human and household pets. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of coagulase-positive staphylococci in humans and dogs within a common household. Coagulase-positive staphylococci could not be identified phenotypically in all cases. Molecular methods were used for the correct identification of pathogenic staphylococci. The prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus was identified in 26/72 (36.1%) dog owners and in 4/61 (6.6%) dogs. Staphylococcus pseudintermedius was isolated from three (4.2%) humans, and from 28 dogs (45.9%). Other coagulase-positive staphylococci species were not isolated in this study. Colonization of S. aureus in humans was significantly higher than in dogs (P < 0.001). Staphylococcus pseudintermedius was more common in dogs compared to humans (P < 0.001). Staphylococcus pseudintermedius strains were isolated from dogs with clinical symptoms more frequently compared to healthy dogs (P = 0.02). Colonization of S. aureus in female dogs was significantly higher compared to male dogs (P = 0.045). The same staphylococci species were isolated from the dog and its owner in six households (12%, 6/50).

Highlights

Staphylococci form part of the normal flora of humans and a wide variety of animals
We found that 25 (96.2%) S. aureus strains isolated from humans and 3 (75%) S. aureus isolates from the dogs showed lipase and lecithinase activity on Baird Parker medium (BPA)
El-Jakee et al (2008) assumed that the biochemical properties of S. aureus isolated from different sources did not differ significantly, and there is no special test providing the best differentiation

Summary

Introduction

Staphylococci form part of the normal flora of humans and a wide variety of animals. Some staphylococcal species cause infections for human and household pets. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of coagulase-positive staphylococci in humans and dogs within a common household. Staphylococcus pseudintermedius was more common in dogs compared to humans (P < 0.001). The two major pathogenic staphylococci, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius are coagulase-positive (Markey et al 2013). Staphylococcus pseudintermedius has been described as a new coagulase-positive species of animals in 2005 (Devriese et al 2005). Staphylococcus pseudintermedius as normal microflora is usually isolated from dogs’ skin and mucosa. This species are commensal organisms, but they are a cause of disease such as pyoderma and otitis externa in dogs (Hanselman et al 2009).

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