Methicillin-resistant Staphylococci in canine pyoderma in Thailand

Research (Published online: 27-11-2023)

21. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococci in canine pyoderma in Thailand

Putu Ayu Sisyawati Putriningsih, Patchara Phuektes, Suphattra Jittimanee, and Jaruwan Kampa

Veterinary World, 16(11): 2340-2348

Putu Ayu Sisyawati Putriningsih: Graduate School, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand; Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Udayana University, Bali, 80361, Indonesia.

Patchara Phuektes: Division of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand.

Suphattra Jittimanee: Division of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand.

Jaruwan Kampa: Division of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand.

Background and Aim: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococci (MRS) seriously threatens animal and human health. Repeated antibiotic use allows the bacteria to develop resistance to several antibiotic classes and become multidrug-resistant (MDR). Canine pyoderma, a common skin condition in dogs, is mainly caused by Staphylococci, including MRS. Detecting this infection in all canine populations is crucial to develop a proper preventive plan. This study estimated the prevalence, antibiogram, and risk factors of MRS in canine patients at a referral animal hospital in Khon Kaen, ThailandMethicillin-resistant Staphylococci (MRS) seriously threatens animal and human health. Repeated antibiotic use allows the bacteria to develop resistance to several antibiotic classes and become multidrug-resistant (MDR). Canine pyoderma, a common skin condition in dogs, is mainly caused by Staphylococci, including MRS. Detecting this infection in all canine populations is crucial to develop a proper preventive plan. This study estimated the prevalence, antibiogram, and risk factors of MRS in canine patients at a referral animal hospital in Khon Kaen, Thailand.

Materials and Methods: Skin swabs and relevant information were collected from 56 client-owned dogs that visited the hospital from September 2019 to September 2020. Staphylococci colonies were subjected to molecular identification and antibiotic susceptibility tests using an automated system (VITEK® 2). These colonies were also genetically identified using multiplex-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing. The mecA gene, encoding methicillin resistance, was detected using simplex-PCR. The risk factors of MRS infection and their association with MRS infection were analyzed using logistic regression and the Chi-square test, respectively.

Results: The prevalence of MRS was found to be 35.7% (20/56 dogs). By species, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius was found in 24 of 104 isolates (23.1%), and all samples were MDR. Receiving systemic antibiotics in the past 6 months was a major risk factor associated with MRS infection (p < 0.05; odds ratio (OR) > 1). In addition to the MRS isolates, the mecA gene was also detected in methicillin-susceptible Staphylococci isolates. This might be because of the high expression of blaI, and mutations in c-di-AMP cyclase DacA, RelA, and Fem proteins.

Conclusion: A high prevalence of MRS and MDR was observed in the studied population, which might be potentially due to improper antibiotic use by the owners and horizontal transfer of drug-resistance genes.

Keywords: antibiogram, methicillin-resistant, prevalence, risk factor, Staphylococci, Thailand.