Abstract:
The objective of this study was to compare virulence and resistance factors of
mucosal and cutaneous staphylococci from dogs with pyoderma in the UK and
Romania, two countries with different approaches to antimicrobial use in companion
animals. Staphylococcal isolates (n = 166) identified to the species level as being
Staphylococcus pseudintermedius or coagulase negative (CoNS) were analyzed for their
antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profile and presence of resistance and virulence genes.
Of the investigated isolates, 26 were methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP),
89 were methicillin-susceptible S. pseudintermedius (MSSP) and 51 were coagulase
negative staphylococci (CoNS). A significantly larger number of isolates originating from
Romania were resistant to clindamycin, tetracycline, and chloramphenicol compared
to the UK isolates (P < 0.05). Resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, gentamicin,
and trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole was more evident in UK isolates. Fusidic acid
resistance was common in Staphylococcus spp. isolates from both countries. Most
isolates carried virulence factors associated with siet (exfoliative toxin) and luk (leucocidin)
genes. All MRSP UK isolates exhibited fusidic acid resistance genes whilst this was very
rare in the MRSP isolates from Romania. The chlorhexidine resistance gene qacA/B
was frequently identified in CoNS isolates from the UK (P < 0.001). The current
study documented differences in antimicrobial resistance profiles of Staphylococcus
spp. isolates from dogs in two geographical locations in Europe, which could reflect
differences in antimicrobial prescribing patterns. The study also highlights the need for
further studies and interventions on antimicrobial use, prescribing patterns and AMR
surveillance in companion animals in Romania.
