Abstract
The aim of this study was to detect the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus sp. (MRS) in populations of companion animals that either have previously been exposed or have not been exposed to antibiotic therapy or veterinary facilities, and if owners’ healthcare profession had an influence on colonization with MRS. In addition, the antimicrobial resistance pheno- and genotype were investigated and risks for colonization with MRS were assessed. During this study, 347 nasal swabs (dogs n = 152; cats n = 107; rabbits n = 88) were investigated for the presence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In addition, 131 nasal swabs (dogs n = 79; cats n = 47; rabbits = 3; guinea pigs = 2) were examined for the presence of MRSA but also other MRS. In total, 23 MRS isolates belonged to nine staphylococcal species: Staphylococcus epidermidis (n = 11), Staphylococcus warneri (n = 3), Staphylococcus hominis (n = 2), Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (n = 2), and singletons Staphylococcus cohnii, Staphylococcus sciuri, Staphylococcus fleurettii, Staphylococcus lentus, and Staphylococcus haemolyticus. Twenty isolates displayed a multidrug-resistant phenotype. Various resistance and biocide resistance genes were detected among the examined staphylococci. Risk assessment for MRS colonization was conducted using a number of factors, including animal species, breed, age, gender, recent veterinary health care hospitalization, and antibiotic prescription, resulting in recent veterinary health care hospitalization being a significant risk factor. The detection of multidrug-resistant MRS in healthy animals is of importance due to their zoonotic potential.
Highlights
Members of the genus Staphylococcus (S.) are part of the normal skin flora of animals and humans.Staphylococci are important pathogens with a wide host range and are capable of causing serious infections of the skin and many other tissues [1,2].Antibiotics 2019, 8, 36; doi:10.3390/antibiotics8020036 www.mdpi.com/journal/antibioticsAntimicrobial resistance among staphylococci is based on a wide variety of resistance genes.The most important is methicillin resistance mediated mainly by the mecA gene, which encodes for a penicillin-binding protein (PBP), PBP-2a [3]
Colonization, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) could not be detected in any of the examined animals and, this part of the present study was not included in statistical analyses
During the second part of the present study, which dealt with all Methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS), nasal colonization with MRS was detected in 23 animals
Summary
Antimicrobial resistance among staphylococci is based on a wide variety of resistance genes. The most important is methicillin resistance mediated mainly by the mecA gene, which encodes for a penicillin-binding protein (PBP), PBP-2a [3]. Methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS) are important pathogens in human and veterinary medicine and are often multidrug resistant, extremely limiting therapeutic options. In addition to antibiotic therapy, antibacterial disinfectants, such as those based on chlorhexidine gluconate and quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), used as topical antibacterial therapy can provide an alternative treatment option for staphylococcal superficial infections and limit the need for oral antibiotics [1,5]. Reduced susceptibility to chlorhexidine gluconate and QACs is usually mediated by energy-dependent multidrug efflux proteins, which show increased expression in response to selective pressure from disinfectant use [7]. Despite high proximity to humans, the importance of companion animals as reservoirs of human infections is still poorly understood
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