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Veterinary microbiology2013; 168(2-4); 381-387; doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2013.11.022

Identification and characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from Austrian companion animals and horses.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial resistance, resistance gene patterns and genetic relatedness of a collection of Austrian methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates from companion animals and horses. A total of 89 non-repetitive MRSA isolates collected during routine veterinary microbiological examinations from April 2004 to the end of 2012, and one isolate from 2013 were used for this study. The presence of mecA and other resistance genes was confirmed by PCR. Isolates were genotyped by spa typing, two multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analyses (MLVA) analyses, SCCmec typing and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). PCR targeting Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) and detection of staphylococcal enterotoxins (SE), toxic shock syndrome toxin (TSST) was performed using PCR assays. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed. Five sequence types (STs-ST398, ST254, ST22, ST5 and ST1), SCCmec types II, IVa, V, and non-type-abele, 8 spa-types (t003, t011, t036, t127, t386, t1348, and t4450), and two isolates could not be assigned, 21 MLVA-14Orsay types Multiplex-PCR MLVA (mMLVA) displayed 17 different MLVA types. The present study is the most comprehensive dealing with MRSA from Austrian companion animals and horses. The results confirm that MRSA ST398 is present in a wide range of animal species and is predominant especially in horses. In other companion animals it is unclear whether the infections with the different MRSA isolates investigated in the present study truly represents a rare phenomenon or may be an emerging problem in companion animals.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2013-11-28 PubMed ID: 24332703DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2013.11.022Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research study focuses on the analysis of the antimicrobial resistance, resistance gene make-up, and genetic linkages of various methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates taken from companion animals and horses in Austria. It particularly investigates the presence of various resistance genes and antibiotic susceptibility, along with the occurrence of bacterial infections in the animal hosts.

Study Methodology

  • The study examined a total of 89 non-repetitive MRSA isolates taken during routine veterinary microbiological procedures from April 2004 to 2012, as well as one isolate from 2013.
  • Polymearse Chain Reaction (PCR) was utilized to confirm the presence of mecA and other resistance genes.
  • The isolates were genotyped using several methods including spa typing, two multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analyses (MLVA), SCCmec typing, and multilocus sequence typing (MLST).
  • The study also performed PCR targeting of Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL), along with the detection of staphylococcal enterotoxins (SE) and toxic shock syndrome toxin (TSST).
  • Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out to determine the isolate’s resistance level to certain antimicrobials.

Study Findings

  • The genetic characterization discovered five sequence types (STs-ST398, ST254, ST22, ST5 and ST1), SCCmec types II, IVa, V, and non-type-abele, along with 8 spa-types.
  • The genotypes, however, of two isolates could not be determined.
  • Based on the MLVA-14Orsay types Multiplex-PCR MLVA classification, 17 different MLVA types were found.
  • The findings validated the significant presence of MRSA ST398 across various animal species, particularly in horses.
  • The study’s findings provided comprehensive data about MRSA in Austrian companion animals and horses, with MRSA ST398 dominating the results, especially amongst horses. The prevalence of MRSA infections in other companion animals was uncertain, representing a potential health concern requiring further investigation.

Cite This Article

APA
Loncaric I, Künzel F, Licka T, Simhofer H, Spergser J, Rosengarten R. (2013). Identification and characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from Austrian companion animals and horses. Vet Microbiol, 168(2-4), 381-387. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2013.11.022

Publication

Veterinary microbiology
ISSN: 1873-2542
NlmUniqueID: 7705469
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 168
Issue: 2-4
Pages: 381-387

Researcher Affiliations

Loncaric, Igor
  • University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Institute of Bacteriology, Mycology and Hygiene, Unit of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Biology, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria. Electronic address: igor.loncaric@vetmeduni.ac.at.
Künzel, Frank
  • University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Clinical Department for Small Animals and Horses, Clinic of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Vienna, Austria.
Licka, Theresia
  • University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Clinical Department for Small Animals and Horses, Equine Clinic, Vienna, Austria.
Simhofer, Hubert
  • University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Clinical Department for Small Animals and Horses, Equine Clinic, Vienna, Austria.
Spergser, Joachim
  • University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Institute of Bacteriology, Mycology and Hygiene, Unit of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Biology, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
Rosengarten, Renate
  • University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Institute of Bacteriology, Mycology and Hygiene, Unit of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Biology, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Austria
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Toxins / genetics
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial / genetics
  • Enterotoxins / genetics
  • Exotoxins / genetics
  • Horse Diseases / microbiology
  • Horses / microbiology
  • Leukocidins / genetics
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / classification
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / genetics
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification
  • Multilocus Sequence Typing
  • Penicillin-Binding Proteins
  • Pets / microbiology
  • Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology
  • Staphylococcal Infections / veterinary
  • Superantigens / genetics

Citations

This article has been cited 37 times.
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