Macrococcus canis and M. caseolyticus in dogs: occurrence, genetic diversity and antibiotic resistance

The discovery of a new Macrococcus canis species isolated from skin and infection sites of dogs led us to question if Macrococcus spp. are common in dogs and are resistant to antibiotics.

To evaluate the occurrence of Macrococcus spp. in dogs, determine antibiotic resistance profiles and genetic relationships.

One hundred and sixty two dogs (mainly West Highland white terriers and Newfoundland dogs) were screened for the presence of Macrococcus, including six dogs with Macrococcus infections.

Samples were taken from skin, ear canal and oral mucosa using swabs. Macrococci were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry, 16S rRNA sequencing and nuc-PCR. Minimal inhibitory concentrations of 19 antibiotics were determined using broth microdilution. Resistance mechanisms were identified by microarray and sequencing of the fluoroquinolone-determining region of gyrA and grlA. Sequence type (ST) was determined by multilocus sequence typing.

Out of the 162 dogs, six harboured M. caseolyticus (n = 6) and 13 harboured M. canis (n = 16). Six isolates of M. canis and one of M. caseolyticus were obtained from infection sites. The 22 M. canis strains belonged to 20 different STs and the seven M. caseolyticus strains to three STs. Resistance to antibiotics was mostly associated with the detection of known genes, with mecB-mediated meticillin resistance being the most frequent.

This study gives some insights into the occurrence and genetic characteristics of antibiotic-resistant Macrococcus from dogs. Presence of M. canis in infection sites and resistance to antibiotics emphasized that more attention should be paid to this novel bacteria species.