Unknown spa types, spa repeats, and relatedness of MRSA isolated from horses, dogs, cats, and their human handlers

Res Vet Sci. 2024 Jun:172:105248. doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2024.105248. Epub 2024 Mar 28.

Abstract

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) represents a worrying example of antimicrobial resistance, and it is essential to acquire new information to monitor the spread and limit it further diffusion. This study aimed to characterise 22 MRSA isolates from horses, dogs, cats, and their human handlers focusing on spa typing. In the analysis of the sequences obtained, the spa type is "unknown" (unidentified) and all the sequences except one had repeats previously not known in all databases potentially indicating new spa-repeats. This could possibly indicate either permanent import of novel spa types or in-house microevolution of spa repeats.

Keywords: Antimicrobial; MRSA; Resistance; Sequence; Spa typing.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cat Diseases / microbiology
  • Cats / microbiology
  • Dog Diseases / microbiology
  • Dogs / microbiology
  • Horse Diseases / microbiology
  • Horses / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus* / drug effects
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus* / genetics
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus* / isolation & purification
  • Staphylococcal Infections* / microbiology
  • Staphylococcal Infections* / veterinary