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Veterinary microbiology2006; 121(3-4); 307-315; doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2006.12.007

Occurrence, species distribution, antimicrobial resistance and clonality of methicillin- and erythromycin-resistant staphylococci in the nasal cavity of domestic animals.

Abstract: beta-Lactams and macrolides are important antibiotics for treatment of staphylococcal infections in both humans and animals. The aim of the study was to investigate the occurrence, species distribution and clonality of methicillin- and erythromycin-resistant staphylococci in the nasal cavity of dogs, horses, pigs, and cattle in Denmark. Nasal swabs were collected from a total of 400 animals, including 100 individuals of each species. Methicillin- and erythromycin-resistant staphylococci were isolated on selective media, identified by 16S rDNA sequencing, and typed by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (MRCoNS) harbouring mecA were isolated from horses (50%) and dogs (13%), but not from food animals. The species identified were S. haemolyticus (n=21), S. vitulinus (n=19), S. sciuri (n=13), S. epidermidis (n=8), and S. warneri (n=2). mecA-mediated methicillin resistance in S. vitulinus was described for the first time. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus was not detected. PFGE analysis revealed the presence of specific MRCoNS clones in samples originating from the same veterinary hospital or equine farm. Erythromycin-resistant S. aureus (ERSA) was detected in 38% of pigs and all isolates harboured a constitutively expressed erm(C) gene. The vast majority (37/38) of pigs carrying ERSA originated from a farm characterized by frequent use of macrolides. Most ERSA isolates (28/38) displayed indistinguishable or closely related PFGE patterns, indicating clonal distribution within the farm. Based on the analysis of data on antimicrobial consumption, the occurrence of MRCoNS in companion animals and that of ERSA in pigs reflected national and local patterns of antimicrobial usage.
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Publication Date: 2006-12-20 PubMed ID: 17270365DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2006.12.007Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 article investigates the presence, distribution, antibiotic resistance, and clonality of methicillin- and erythromycin-resistant staphylococci in the nasal cavity of domestic animals in Denmark. This study contributes to understanding the link between antibiotic use and the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria in animals.

Objective and Methodology

The study aimed to investigate the presence and varieties of methicillin- and erythromycin-resistant staphylococci in the nasal cavities of domestic animals – dogs, horses, pigs, and cattle in Denmark. The researchers collected nasal swabs from a total of 400 animals belonging to each of these species.

Steps taken in the research included:

  • Resistant strains were isolated on selective media
  • Identifying the strains through 16S rDNA sequencing
  • Typing of the bacteria through pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE)

Findings

The study’s findings revealed several important points:

  • Methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (MRCoNS) carrying mecA, a gene-associated with drug resistance, were discovered in horses (50%) and dogs (13%), but not in food animals like pigs and cattle. The species were identified as S. haemolyticus, S. vitulinus, S. sciuri, S. epidermidis and S. warneri.
  • The resistance to methicillin in S. vitulinus mediated by mecA gene was described for the first time.
  • Methicillin-resistant S. aureus, a type of staphylococci bacterium connected with various infections, wasn’t detected.
  • Erythromycin-resistant S. aureus (ERSA) was found in 38% of pigs, indicating a high level of resistance in this species. All isolates carried the erm(C) gene, which is constitutively expressed, indicating that the resistance is always operative.
  • A major part of the pigs carrying ERSA originated from a farm with a history of frequent use of macrolides, a group of antibiotics including erythromycin, further linking antibiotic use and resistant bacterial strains.
  • Most ERSA isolates had indistinguishable or closely related PFGE patterns, suggesting a clonal distribution within the farm.

Significance

The data analysed in the study shed light on the connection between the use of antimicrobials and the occurrence of MRCoNS in companion animals, and ERSA in food animals. Such understanding is crucial for developing effective antimicrobial resistance (AMR) strategies and practices for animals and human health due to the zoonotic potential of some resistant strains.

Cite This Article

APA
Bagcigil FA, Moodley A, Baptiste KE, Jensen VF, Guardabassi L. (2006). Occurrence, species distribution, antimicrobial resistance and clonality of methicillin- and erythromycin-resistant staphylococci in the nasal cavity of domestic animals. Vet Microbiol, 121(3-4), 307-315. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2006.12.007

Publication

Veterinary microbiology
ISSN: 0378-1135
NlmUniqueID: 7705469
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 121
Issue: 3-4
Pages: 307-315

Researcher Affiliations

Bagcigil, Funda A
  • Department of Microbiology, Istanbul University, 34320 Avcilar, Turkey. fucigil@istanbul.edu.tr
Moodley, Arshnee
    Baptiste, Keith E
      Jensen, Vibeke F
        Guardabassi, Luca

          MeSH Terms

          • Animal Diseases / drug therapy
          • Animal Diseases / epidemiology
          • Animal Diseases / microbiology
          • Animals
          • Animals, Domestic / microbiology
          • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
          • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
          • DNA, Bacterial / chemistry
          • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
          • Denmark / epidemiology
          • Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial
          • Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field / veterinary
          • Erythromycin / pharmacology
          • Methicillin Resistance
          • Microbial Sensitivity Tests / veterinary
          • Nasal Cavity / microbiology
          • Staphylococcal Infections / drug therapy
          • Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology
          • Staphylococcal Infections / veterinary
          • Staphylococcus / genetics
          • Staphylococcus / isolation & purification

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