Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 19, 2026
12:18
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
Published on: February 9, 2011
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in Sweden.
Stefan Börjesson1, Annica Landén, Martin Bergström
1Department of Animal Health and Antimicrobial Strategies, National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden. Stefan.Borjesson@sva.se
Microbial Drug Resistance (Larchmont, N.Y.)
|August 31, 2012
Summary
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) is a growing concern in Swedish pets. A dominant MRSP lineage was identified, spreading geographically in areas with high dog populations, particularly around major cities.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Molecular Epidemiology
- Zoonotic Pathogens
Background:
- Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is a common cause of canine infections.
- Methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP) is increasingly reported in Europe and Sweden.
- Limited data exists on the epidemiology and genetic relationships of Swedish MRSP isolates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic relationship among MRSP isolates from companion animals in Sweden.
- To characterize MRSP isolates using molecular typing and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
- To determine the geographical distribution and dissemination patterns of MRSP in Sweden.
Main Methods:
- Spa typing and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) for genetic characterization.
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing to assess resistance profiles.
- Geographical Information System (GIS) analysis to map isolate distribution.
Main Results:
- A single multiresistant clonal lineage, ST71-J-t02-SCCmec II-III, dominated Swedish MRSP isolates.
- MRSP isolates were predominantly found in areas with high dog densities.
- Geographical dissemination correlated with major urban centers and large animal hospitals.
Conclusions:
- One dominant MRSP lineage circulates among companion animals in Sweden.
- MRSP spread is associated with high pet population densities, particularly in urban areas.
- Understanding MRSP epidemiology is crucial for infection control in veterinary settings.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...
01:25Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA
Antibiotic resistance in bacteria arises when microorganisms evolve the ability to withstand drugs designed to kill them or inhibit their growth, rendering once-effective treatments useless. This phenomenon, driven by genetic change and selection under antibiotic exposure, poses a profound threat to modern medicine. Mechanisms include drug-inactivating enzymes (e.g., β-lactamases), efflux pumps that eject antibiotics, mutations altering antibiotic targets, decreased drug uptake, and acquisition...
01:29Staphylococcal Skin Infections
Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus that resides harmlessly on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy individuals. When the skin barrier is breached, it can shift from a commensal to an opportunistic pathogen. This transition is facilitated by surface adhesins, such as clumping factor B and S. aureus surface protein G (SasG), which bind to structural proteins, including loricrin and cytokeratin, in the damaged epidermis. Protein A, another key factor, binds the Fc region of...