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09:03
Multiplex PCR Assay for Typing of Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome Mec Types I to V in Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Published on: September 5, 2013
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Methicillin resistance among staphylococci isolated from dogs
K Gortel1, K L Campbell, I Kakoma
1Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana 61802, USA.
American Journal of Veterinary Research
|January 6, 2000
Summary
Methicillin-resistant staphylococci in dogs frequently carry the mecA gene, leading to increased resistance against multiple antibiotics. This suggests that infections caused by these bacteria may be challenging to treat in canine patients.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Antimicrobial Resistance
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Methicillin resistance in staphylococci is a growing concern in both human and animal health.
- The presence of the mecA gene is a primary mechanism for methicillin resistance in staphylococci.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of the mecA gene in staphylococcal isolates from dogs.
- To assess the antibiotic resistance patterns of canine staphylococcal isolates carrying the mecA gene.
Main Methods:
- Strains: 25 methicillin-resistant and 15 methicillin-susceptible staphylococci isolated from dogs.
- Detection: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the mecA gene.
- Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing: Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for 16 antibiotics were determined.
Main Results:
- The mecA gene was detected in 23 out of 25 methicillin-resistant staphylococcal isolates.
- mecA-positive isolates exhibited significantly higher resistance rates to 10 out of 16 tested antibiotics compared to mecA-negative isolates.
- Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant species among methicillin-resistant, mecA-positive isolates.
Conclusions:
- The mecA gene is confirmed as a mediator of methicillin resistance in staphylococci from dogs.
- Staphylococcal isolates from dogs possessing the mecA gene demonstrate a higher likelihood of multidrug resistance.
- Canine infections caused by mecA-positive staphylococci may pose significant therapeutic challenges due to widespread antibiotic resistance.
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