Epidemiology of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus species carriage in companion animals in the Greater Brisbane Area, Australia

Res Vet Sci. 2021 May:136:138-142. doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2021.02.012. Epub 2021 Feb 18.

Abstract

To detect methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and S. pseudintermedius (MRSP) swab samples were collected from dogs, cats and horses from South East Queensland (SE QLD). MRSP carriage in dogs was 8.7% and no MRSP was isolated from cats and horses; no MRSA was isolated. Risk factors for carriage included previous hospitalisation, previous bacterial infection, consultation type, average precipitation, and human population density. The probability of MRSP carriage was highest in Brisbane city, Sunshine Coast and Gympie. This suggests that MRSP carriage in dog populations from SE QLD is geographically clustered and associated with clinical and environmental factors.

Keywords: Carriage; MRSP; Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius; Spatial analysis.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cat Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Cat Diseases / microbiology
  • Cats
  • Dog Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Dog Diseases / microbiology
  • Dogs
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Horse Diseases / microbiology
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Methicillin Resistance
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / physiology
  • Queensland / epidemiology
  • Staphylococcal Infections / epidemiology
  • Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology
  • Staphylococcal Infections / veterinary*
  • Staphylococcus / physiology

Supplementary concepts

  • Staphylococcus pseudintermedius