Isolation of Staphylococcus schleiferi from dogs with pyoderma

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Dermatology
• Microbiology
• Canine Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Pyoderma is a common skin infection in dogs.
• Staphylococcus schleiferi is a recognized pathogen in canine pyoderma.
• Understanding antimicrobial resistance patterns is crucial for effective treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the isolation frequency of Staphylococcus schleiferi in dogs with pyoderma.
• To characterize the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Staphylococcus schleiferi isolates.
• To investigate the prevalence of methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus schleiferi.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study involving 54 dogs with first-time or recurrent pyoderma.
• Bacterial culture and biochemical characterization for S. schleiferi identification.
• DNA sequencing for confirmation of two isolates.
• Disk diffusion with oxacillin for methicillin susceptibility testing.

Main Results:

• Staphylococcus schleiferi was isolated from dogs with recurrent pyoderma, but not first-time pyoderma.
• Methicillin resistance was observed in all S. schleiferi subsp. schleiferi isolates and some S. schleiferi subsp. coagulans isolates.
• Two methicillin-resistant isolates showed fluoroquinolone resistance, and one had intermediate susceptibility.

Conclusions:

• Staphylococcus schleiferi, including both subspecies, can be isolated from dogs with recurrent pyoderma.
• Methicillin resistance is common in S. schleiferi isolates from dogs with pyoderma.
• While methicillin resistance is frequent, multidrug resistance in these isolates is uncommon.