Low levels of antimicrobial resistance amongst canine staphylococci isolates from a remote First Nations community

Little is known about the ecology and resistance profiles of staphylococci on dogs in remote First Nations communities, nor how this might differ compared to isolates from other environments, people or animals. To investigate the prevalence, species diversity and proportion of antimicrobial resistance of staphylococci isolates in a dog population from a remote First Nations community in the Northern Territory, Australia, eighty-three dogs were sampled over two sampling periods in 2021 and 2022, using a house-to-house sampling methodology. Nine species of staphylococci were identified, in addition to the recently reclassified Gram-positive species Mammaliiococcus sciuri. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus were not detected. Overall, resistance to antimicrobials, with the exception of penicillin, was low. Results suggest current antimicrobial prescribing guidelines are appropriate for treating suspected staphylococcal infections in dogs in this community. To maintain the current low levels of resistance in staphylococci in this canine population, antimicrobial stewardship measures should extend beyond traditional stewardship interventions to acknowledge and address upstream influencing factors such as access to diagnostic tests, over-crowding, funding and workforce challenges.