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Plasmids and resistance to antimicrobial agents and heavy metals in Staphylococcus hyicus from pigs and cattle
Abstract:
Staphylococcus hyicus-cultures, isolated from piglets and cattle with skin lesions were investigated for their plasmid content and their resistance to antimicrobial agents and heavy metals. Several plasmids of different sizes could be detected in most of the 32 "porcine" S. hyicus-isolates, whereas none of the 20 "bovine" S. hyicus-cultures possessed any plasmid. The "porcine" S. hyicus-isolates were much more resistant to antimicrobial substances than the "bovine" S. hyicus-cultures. However, the "porcine" and "bovine" S. hyicus-cultures did not differ in their resistance to heavy metals.
Insights
Porcine Staphylococcus hyicus strains, unlike bovine strains, possess plasmids and exhibit greater antimicrobial resistance. This difference may impact treatment strategies for skin lesions in pigs and cattle.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Bacterial Genetics
- Antimicrobial Resistance
Background:
- Staphylococcus hyicus is a significant pathogen causing skin lesions in piglets and cattle.
- Understanding the genetic basis of S. hyicus pathogenicity and resistance is crucial for effective disease management.
- Plasmid carriage and heavy metal/antimicrobial resistance are key factors influencing bacterial survival and virulence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the plasmid content of S. hyicus isolates from porcine and bovine sources.
- To compare the antimicrobial and heavy metal resistance profiles of S. hyicus from different animal hosts.
- To determine the correlation between plasmid presence and resistance phenotypes in S. hyicus.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and characterization of Staphylococcus hyicus from clinical samples of piglets and cattle.
- Plasmid DNA extraction and analysis using gel electrophoresis.
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing against a panel of antibiotics.
- Heavy metal resistance assays.
Main Results:
- Plasmids were detected in most "porcine" S. hyicus isolates (32), but absent in all "bovine" S. hyicus isolates (20).
- Porcine S. hyicus strains demonstrated significantly higher resistance to antimicrobial agents compared to bovine strains.
- No significant difference in heavy metal resistance was observed between porcine and bovine S. hyicus isolates.
Conclusions:
- Plasmid carriage in S. hyicus is host-associated, being prevalent in porcine isolates but absent in bovine isolates.
- The presence of plasmids correlates with increased antimicrobial resistance in porcine S. hyicus.
- Differences in plasmid content may contribute to varying virulence and treatment outcomes for S. hyicus infections in different animal populations.