Objectives: Domestic animals can serve as a reservoir for antimicrobial-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and may lead to the emergence of drug-resistant human isolates. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence and antibiotypes of S. aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) cultured from clinical pyogenic cases of domestic animals in India.
Methods: A total of 100 samples were collected during the study (August 2014 to July 2015) from different pyogenic conditions of cattle (n=21), buffaloes (n=63) and dogs (n=16). Samples were processed for isolation and phenotypic identification of S. aureus. Species identification was confirmed by PCR, and all of the isolates were screened for the mecA gene. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by the disk diffusion method for 14 antimicrobial agents.
Results and conclusion: The study revealed a 40.0% prevalence of S. aureus in pyogenic clinical cases of domestic animals. The species-wise prevalence of S. aureus was 38.1% both in cattle and buffaloes and 50.0% in dogs. The study revealed 21 antibiotypes among the S. aureus isolates. The rate of resistance was highest for amoxicillin (95.0%), followed by penicillin G (82.5%). Among the 40 S. aureus isolates, 23 (57.5%) exhibited methicillin resistance and carried the mecA gene. To the best of our knowledge based on the available literature, this is the first report of its kind from this country.
Keywords: Antibiotype; Domestic animals; MRSA; Prevalence; Resistance; Staphylococcus aureus.
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