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Published on: May 8, 2013

Clindamycin-resistance in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from animals

M Rich1, L Deighton, L Roberts

  • 1Microbiology Department, IDEXX Laboratories, Sandbeck Way, Wetherby, West Yorkshire LS22 7DN, UK. mick-rich@idexx.com

Veterinary Microbiology
|November 18, 2005
PubMed

Insights

A simple D-test detected inducible clindamycin resistance in 71% of animal MRSA isolates. This hidden resistance, missed by standard tests, is crucial for effective veterinary treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Microbiology
  • Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

  • Clindamycin is a key antibiotic in veterinary medicine.
  • Staphylococcal resistance can stem from target site modification via erm genes.
  • Inducible resistance is often undetected by standard susceptibility tests.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the prevalence of inducible clindamycin resistance in animal MRSA isolates.
  • To assess the utility of the D-test for detecting this resistance mechanism.

Main Methods:

  • The double disc agar diffusion test (D-test) was employed.
  • Two hundred and eighty-five methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates from animal infections were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • 71% (107/285) of MRSA isolates exhibited inducible clindamycin resistance.
  • This resistance was not apparent through initial routine susceptibility testing.

Conclusions:

  • Inducible clindamycin resistance is highly prevalent in animal MRSA.
  • Routine D-testing is recommended to identify inducible resistance, preventing treatment failures.

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