Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius: an underestimated risk at pet clinic

Thérèsse Camille Nascimento Holmström,Cássia Couto Da Motta,Shana De Mattos De Oliveira Coelho,Thomas Hebert Dos Santos,Dayanne Araújo De Melo,Irene Da Silva Coelho,Luria Adib David,Miliane Moreira Soares De Souza

doi:10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm107420

Abstract

The prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) as a cause of infectious disease in companion animals remains unknown. The emergence of MRSP is a challenge in veterinary medicine as multidrug-resistant strains began to emerge, resulting in treatment failures. This study provides an overview of the characterization of S. pseudintermedius strains from clinical pet samples and the prevalence of MRSP strains. A total of 123 S. pseudintermedius strains were characterized by phenotypic testing and the MALDI-TOF technique and evaluated for susceptibility to methicillin and the presence of the mecA gene. Of these, 49 (39.8%) were identified as MRSP. The results confirm the importance of monitoring resistant pathogens and the need for further studies to determine the prevalence of MRSP in companion animals. The prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) as a cause of infectious disease in companion animals remains unknown. The emergence of MRSP is a challenge in veterinary medicine as multidrug-resistant strains began to emerge, resulting in treatment failures. This study provides an overview of the characterization of S. pseudintermedius strains from clinical pet samples and the prevalence of MRSP strains. A total of 123 S. pseudintermedius strains were characterized by phenotypic testing and the MALDI-TOF technique and evaluated for susceptibility to methicillin and the presence of the mecA gene. Of these, 49 (39.8%) were identified as MRSP. The results confirm the importance of monitoring resistant pathogens and the need for further studies to determine the prevalence of MRSP in companion animals.

Highlights

The antimicrobial-resistant superbugs are an emerging global disease, and one of the three most significant threats to public health in the 21st century (Courvalin, 2016; Holmes et al, 2016)
The presence and circulation of mecA gene implicated in methicillin resistance at Staphylococcus pseudintermedius population is still a big concern
The MALDI-TOF technique presented results ranging from S. pseudintermedius (38/123), S. intermedius (13/123), S. pseudintermedius/S. intermedius (70/123), Staphylococcus belonging to the SIG group (2/123) (S. intermedius, S. pseudintermedius and S. delphini)

Summary

Introduction

The antimicrobial-resistant superbugs are an emerging global disease, and one of the three most significant threats to public health in the 21st century (Courvalin, 2016; Holmes et al, 2016). Gram-positive bacterial strains classified as a high priority, level 2, by the World Health Organization include methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus with intermediate resistance or resistance to vancomycin. The emergence of multiresistant Gram-positive bacterial strains is a serious challenge for small animals medicine. The presence and circulation of mecA gene implicated in methicillin resistance at Staphylococcus pseudintermedius population is still a big concern. S. aureus is no longer considered the only species of clinical importance since the critical review published by Devriese et al (2005) that highlighted underestimated species such as S. pseudintermedius

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Conclusion