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High genetic diversity and multidrug resistance in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius from

Ye-Ram Seo1, Sue-Young Choi2, Ji-Yeong Kim1

  • 1College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Journal of Global Antimicrobial Resistance
|July 25, 2026
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) in South Korean pets shows high antimicrobial resistance and genomic diversity. Strains closely related to human MRSP highlight zoonotic potential and public health risks.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Microbiology
  • Genomics
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) is an emerging multidrug-resistant pathogen.
  • MRSP possesses zoonotic potential, posing risks to both animal and human health.
  • Companion animals are potential reservoirs for MRSP transmission.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the antimicrobial resistance patterns of MRSP isolates from companion animals in South Korea.
  • To determine the genomic diversity and virulence characteristics of these MRSP strains.
  • To assess the potential for interspecies transmission between animals and humans.

Main Methods:

  • Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed on 68 MRSP isolates from dogs and cats.
  • Whole-genome sequencing was employed to analyze genetic profiles.
  • Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing were conducted.

Main Results:

  • All isolates exhibited resistance to penicillin and oxacillin, with high rates for cefovecin and tetracycline.
  • MLST identified 42 sequence types (STs), including 11 novel ones, with ST2842 and ST361 being most common.
  • Phylogenomic analysis revealed high genomic diversity and close relatedness to human MRSP isolates, with 39 virulence genes conserved across all isolates.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides the first comprehensive genomic characterization of MRSP from companion animals in South Korea.
  • The findings underscore the public health threat posed by MRSP due to its zoonotic potential and interspecies transmission.
  • Urgent need for surveillance and control strategies to mitigate MRSP spread is highlighted.
Keywords:
Antibiotic resistanceCompanion animalMethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermediusMultidrug-resistantWhole-genome sequencing

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