Isolation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius from breeding dogs

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Microbiology
• Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

• Antimicrobial overuse drives resistant bacteria.
• Staphylococci resistance to beta-lactam antimicrobials is a major concern in human and veterinary medicine.
• Incorrect antimicrobial use in breeding kennels necessitates investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the occurrence of methicillin-resistant coagulase-positive staphylococci in breeding dogs.
• To evaluate the link between antimicrobial use intensity and resistant staphylococci prevalence.

Main Methods:

• Bacteriological examination of vaginal and milk swabs from 87 bitches.
• Analysis of organ samples from 27 deceased puppies.
• Identification of coagulase-positive staphylococci (Staphylococcus pseudintermedius).
• Testing for oxacillin susceptibility and mecA gene presence.

Main Results:

• Nine out of 89 Staphylococcus pseudintermedius strains were multidrug-resistant, methicillin-resistant, and mecA positive.
• Resistant strains were isolated from milk (6) and dead puppies (3).
• All identified resistant strains originated from kennels with excessive antimicrobial use.

Conclusions:

• Excessive antimicrobial use in breeding kennels selects for resistant staphylococci strains.
• Healthy dogs in specific populations can act as reservoirs for antimicrobial resistance genes.
• Findings highlight the One Health aspect of antimicrobial resistance transmission.