Characteristics ofIsolated from Humans and Animals.

Abstract

(.) is an opportunistic coagulase-negative staphylococcus (CoNS) known to cause urinary tract infections in humans and is increasingly recognized in veterinary medicine. The aim of this study was to provide an epidemiological characterization of.strains and to identify potential virulence factors that may contribute to interspecies transmission. This research is particularly important, as companion animals represent an understudied reservoir of this microorganism, and their role in the spread of resistant pathogens remains insufficiently understood. A total of 61.strains isolated from humans, dogs, and cats were analyzed. Identification was performed using MALDI-TOF MS and confirmed by PCR targeting thegene. Antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed using the disk diffusion and broth microdilution methods, while resistance genes were detected by PCR. Theandgenes were present in all strains; additionally, the majority harbored the resistance genes,,, and. Multidrug resistance (MDR) was identified in 21/61 strains (34.4%). Biofilm-forming capacity was temperature-dependent, with the strongest biofilm production observed at 37 °C (70.5%). At 38 °C and 39 °C, the proportion of strong biofilm producers decreased to 50.8% and 52.5%, respectively. All tested strains demonstrated pathogenic potential in thelarvae infection model, with the highest mortality recorded for selected feline and canine strains. These findings indicate that.strains from both humans and companion animals possess notable virulence and multidrug resistance. The detection of genotypically and phenotypically resistant strains in animals highlights their potential role as reservoir for zoonotic transmission.