Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 25, 2026
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA
Published on: February 9, 2011
Evidence of cat-to-human transmission of Staphylococcus felis
Gregorius J Sips1,2, Marloes A M van Dijk3, Mireille van Westreenen1
1Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Abstract:
Introduction. Staphylococcus felis is a coagulase-negative staphylococcal species that is commonly isolated from healthy cats. Like other commensal staphylococci, S. felis can cause opportunistic infections, e.g. otitis externa, skin and urinary tract infections, in cats.Gap Statement. Several studies have reported within-household transmission between humans and pets and human infections caused by coagulase-positive staphylococci. However, human infections with coagulase-negative staphylococci of zoonotic origin are relatively rare.Methodology. Culture of a surgical site infection in a 58-year-old woman who underwent a laminectomy revealed dominant growth of S. felis. The three cats owned by the patient were sampled to investigate potential within-household transmission. S. felis isolates were sequenced to investigate the relatedness of the isolates and to look for virulence factors and host specific genes.Results. All cats were colonized with S. felis. Comparative genomics of the isolates showed that each cat was colonized with a distinct genotype. The patient's isolate clustered with isolates of one of the cats. Sequence analysis of the studied isolates together with 29 publicly available S. felis genomes detected putative virulence factors that can be crucial in potential interspecies transmission.Conclusion. The current case is the first reported human infection caused by S. felis and highlights the zoonotic potential of this bacterial species. Evidence of cat-to-human transmission was shown by comparative genomics of isolates from the patient with isolates of her cats.
Insights
This study reports the first human infection caused by Staphylococcus felis, a bacteria common in cats. Genomic analysis confirmed cat-to-human transmission, highlighting the zoonotic potential of this species.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genomics
- Zoonotic Diseases
Background:
- Staphylococcus felis is a coagulase-negative staphylococcal species typically found in healthy cats.
- While coagulase-positive staphylococci are known to transmit between humans and pets, human infections from coagulase-negative staphylococci are less common.
- Opportunistic infections caused by S. felis in cats include otitis externa, skin, and urinary tract infections.
Observation:
- A 58-year-old woman developed a surgical site infection following a laminectomy, with Staphylococcus felis identified as the dominant organism.
- All three cats owned by the patient were found to be colonized with S. felis.
- Genomic sequencing revealed distinct genotypes of S. felis in each cat and indicated transmission from one cat to the patient.
Findings:
- Comparative genomics demonstrated that the patient's S. felis isolate was genetically related to an isolate from one of her cats.
- Sequence analysis identified potential virulence factors in S. felis isolates that may facilitate interspecies transmission.
- The study provides the first documented evidence of a human infection with S. felis and confirms cat-to-human transmission.
Implications:
- This case underscores the zoonotic potential of Staphylococcus felis, a bacterium previously considered primarily a commensal of cats.
- The findings highlight the importance of considering pet-to-human transmission of coagulase-negative staphylococci in clinical settings.
- Further research into the virulence factors and transmission dynamics of S. felis is warranted to understand and prevent zoonotic infections.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:29Staphylococcal Skin Infections
01:28Toxoplasmosis