ISSN 2756-3340
African Journal of Infectious Diseases Research ISSN 4729-6836 Vol. 3 (5), pp. 120-124, December, 2016. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Characterization of SCCmec elements in methicillin resistant S. intermedius in healthy pets from Southeastern United States
Michael F. Dwight1*, Abraham O. Presely1, Martin Henry Presely2 and Elvis Davison1
1Department of Biological Science, Nicholls State University, Thibodaux, LA 70310, USA.
2School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
E-mail: [email protected]
Accepted 16 November, 2016
Abstract
Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus intermedius (MRSI) are both major causes of skin and wound infections in humans and domesticated animal populations respectively. In order to investigate the colonization rates in pets, nose, mouth, or skin swabs were taken from 74 healthy pets (61 dogs and 13 cats) in south Louisiana, USA. Staphylococci were isolated by routine culture, speciated based on biochemical tests and confirmed by polymerase chain reactions. Our results show a 93% (69/74) colonization rate of domesticated pets by coagulase positive Staphylococci, with 50% (37/74) of animals harboring S. aureus, 43% (32/74) being colonized with S.intermedius and 5.4% (4/74) of pets carrying MRSI. Two of the MRSI contained Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec type III while one isolate contained a type V genetic element. The fourth MRSI isolate did not show any of the SCCmec types I - V tested. All of the 4 mecA positive strains were isolated from dogs. Antibiotic susceptibility patterns were determined for the MRSI. Our results indicate that pets harbor pathogens that have zoonotic capability and suggest that domesticated animals have the potential to serve as vectors for the transfer of methicillin resistance.
Key words: SCCmec, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus intermedius, methicillin resistant, dogs, cats.