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Updated: May 28, 2026
08:51
Genotyping of Staphylococcus aureus by Ribosomal Spacer PCR (RS-PCR)
Published on: November 4, 2016
Comparative Phenotypic and PCR-Based Methicillin Resistance Characterization of Clinical Canine Staphylococcus
Patrik Mag1,2, Enikő Fehér2,3,4, Eszter Kaszab2,3,5
1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, H-1078 Budapest, Hungary.
Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)
|May 27, 2026
Summary
Methicillin resistance in canine Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is linked to multidrug resistance, limiting treatment options. However, rifampicin, amikacin, and florfenicol show effectiveness against these resistant bacteria.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Antimicrobial Resistance
- Canine Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Rising antimicrobial resistance in Staphylococcus pseudintermedius poses a significant threat in veterinary medicine.
- Methicillin-resistant strains and associated multidrug resistance are of particular concern in companion animals.
- Characterizing resistance patterns is crucial for effective treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of clinical canine Staphylococcus pseudintermedius isolates.
- To determine the prevalence of methicillin resistance and identify the presence of mecA and mecC genes.
- To assess the correlation between methicillin resistance and multidrug resistance.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 243 canine skin isolates from Hungary (2023-2025).
- Broth microdilution method to determine Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) for 24 antimicrobial agents.
- Oxacillin MICs for methicillin resistance classification and PCR for mecA/mecC gene detection.
Main Results:
- 19.3% of isolates were methicillin-resistant, showing high resistance to beta-lactams, tetracyclines, macrolides, and lincosamides.
- Rifampicin, amikacin, and florfenicol demonstrated significant in vitro activity.
- 50.6% of isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR), and 17.3% were extensively drug-resistant (XDR); mecA gene found in 80.9% of resistant isolates.
Conclusions:
- Methicillin resistance in canine S. pseudintermedius is strongly associated with multidrug resistance, narrowing therapeutic choices.
- Rifampicin, amikacin, and florfenicol remain viable treatment options.
- Combined phenotypic and molecular testing is essential due to partial discordance between resistance and gene detection, informing antimicrobial stewardship.
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