Abstract: Methicillin-resistant coagulase-positive staphylococci (CoPS) have become increasingly recognised as opportunistic pathogens that limit therapeutic options in companion animals. The frequency of methicillin resistance amongst clinical isolates on an Australia-wide level is unknown. This study determined antimicrobial susceptibility patterns for CoPS isolated from clinical infections in companion animals (dogs, cats and horses) as part of the first nation-wide survey on antimicrobial resistance in animal pathogens in Australia for a one-year period (January 2013 to January 2014). Clinical Staphylococcus spp. isolates (n = 888) obtained from 22 veterinary diagnostic laboratories were identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing for 16 antimicrobials, representing 12 antimicrobial classes. Potential risk factors associated with methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus pseudintermedius isolates from dogs were analysed based on demographic factors and clinical history, including gender, age, previous antimicrobial treatment, chronic and/or recurrent diseases and site of infections. The most commonly identified CoPS were S. pseudintermedius (70.8%; dogs n = 616, cats n = 13) and S. aureus (13.2%, horses n = 53, dogs n = 47 and cats n = 17). Overall, the frequency of methicillin resistance among S. pseudintermedius (MRSP) and S. aureus (MRSA) was 11.8% and 12.8%, respectively. MRSP isolates were strongly associated with resistance to fluoroquinolones (OR 287; 95%CI 91.2-1144.8) and clindamycin (OR 105.2, 95%CI 48.5-231.9). MRSA isolates from dogs and cats were also more likely to be resistant to fluoroquinolones (OR 5.4, 95%CI 0.6-252.1), whereas MRSA from horses were more likely to be resistant to rifampicin. In multivariate analysis, MRSP-positive status was significantly associated with particular infection sites, including surgical (OR 8.8; 95%CI 3.74-20.7), and skin and soft tissue (OR 3.9; 95%CI 1.97-7.51). S. pseudintermedius isolated from dogs with surgical site infections were three times more likely to be methicillin-resistant if cases had received prior antimicrobial treatment. Whilst the survey results indicate the proportion of CoPS obtained from Australian companion animals that are methicillin-resistant is currently moderate, the identified risk factors suggest that it could rapidly increase without adequate biosecurity and infection control procedures in veterinary practice.
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This research is a one-year study evaluating the frequency and risk factors of methicillin-resistant bacteria in common pets in Australia, which might reduce available treatment options.
Research Objectives
The core aim of this research was to uncover the frequency of methicillin resistance in coagulase-positive staphylococci (CoPS), a type of bacteria isolated from clinical infections in companion animals, namely dogs, cats, and horses.
This stemmed from a larger concern that these animals could become reservoirs for methicillin-resistant strains, limiting potential treatment routes.
The research also sought to ascertain risk factors associated with methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, a common dog skin pathogen.
Methodology
Staphylococcus spp. isolates (888 of them) from 22 veterinary diagnostic laboratories were used for testing and identified using a technique known as MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.
The susceptibility patterns of the isolates for 16 antimicrobials from 12 antimicrobial classes were determined.
Demographic factors, clinical history, and site of infections were studied. These data elements included gender, age, previous antimicrobial treatment, chronic and/or recurrent diseases.
Findings and Implications
The types of CoPS most commonly found were S. pseudintermedius (mainly in dogs and cats), and S. aureus (in dogs, cats, and horses).
Resistance to methicillin was found to be present at a rate of 11.8% in S. pseudintermedius, and 12.8% in S. aureus.
Methicillin-resistant strains showed a strong association with resistance to fluoroquinolones and clindamycin in the case of S. pseudintermedius, and to fluoroquinolones and rifampicin in the case of S. aureus from dogs, cats, and horses.
In multivariate analysis, there was a significant association between methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius-positive status and specific infection sites, including surgical and skin and soft tissue.
Furthermore, S. pseudintermedius from dogs with surgical site infections was found to be thrice as likely to be methicillin-resistant if the animal had received prior antimicrobial treatment.
Despite the currently moderate percentage of methicillin-resistant CoPS in Australian pets, the identified risk factors suggest the possibility of a swift increase if veterinary practices are not modified to incorporate better biosecurity and infection control procedures.
Cite This Article
APA
Saputra S, Jordan D, Worthing KA, Norris JM, Wong HS, Abraham R, Trott DJ, Abraham S.
(2017).
Antimicrobial resistance in coagulase-positive staphylococci isolated from companion animals in Australia: A one year study.
PLoS One, 12(4), e0176379.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0176379
Australian Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Ecology, School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA, Australia.
Research Center for Biology, Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Cibinong, West Java, Indonesia.
Jordan, David
New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Wollongbar, NSW, Australia.
Worthing, Kate A
Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.
Norris, Jacqueline M
Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.
Wong, Hui S
Australian Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Ecology, School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA, Australia.
Abraham, Rebecca
Australian Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Ecology, School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA, Australia.
School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia.
Trott, Darren J
Australian Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Ecology, School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA, Australia.
Abraham, Sam
Australian Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Ecology, School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA, Australia.
School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia.
Competing Interests: DT, SA and JN have received contract research grants and consulting funds from Bayer, Zoetis, Virbac, and Elanco. This does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.
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