Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
MRSA and related infections in dogs with skin infections in northern
By Eckholm, Nicole G et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2013·William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital and Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Prevalence of and risk factors for isolation of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus spp. from dogs with pyoderma in northern California, USA.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study found that about 38% of dogs with skin infections (pyoderma) at a veterinary hospital in northern California had a type of bacteria called meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus (MRS), which is harder to treat with antibiotics. In another clinic, 27% of dogs had the same resistant bacteria. The research showed that dogs who had received antibiotics in the past year were more likely to have these resistant infections. This highlights the importance of careful antibiotic use in pets to prevent these tough-to-treat infections.
People also search for: dog skin infection treatment · meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus in dogs · antibiotic resistance in pets
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Canine pyodermas associated with meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus spp. (MRS) have increased in prevalence over the past decade. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To compare the prevalence of MRS isolation from dogs with superficial pyoderma at a primary care clinic (PCC) and those at a tertiary care facility (VMTH) in California, USA, and identify associated risk factors. ANIMALS: Client-owned dogs from the VMTH (80 dogs) and the PCC (30 dogs). METHODS: Aerobic bacterial culture and antibiotic susceptibility were performed on swab specimens collected from dogs, and meticillin resistance was determined using microdilution methods according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. A mecA gene PCR assay was used to confirm meticillin resistance when possible. RESULTS: Of 89 staphylococcal isolates from the VMTH, 34 (38.2%) were meticillin resistant. In 31 dogs, pyoderma persisted, and one or more follow-up isolates were obtained. The species isolated and drug susceptibility changed unpredictably during treatment. Of 33 PCC isolates, nine (27.3%) were meticillin resistant. Multiple drug resistance was identified in 41 of 53 (77.3%) MRS isolates from the VMTH and five of nine from the PCC. The sensitivity and specificity of PCR for the detection of meticillin resistance was 34 of 39 (87%) and 86 of 87 (99%), respectively. Risk factors for meticillin resistance for both sites were antibiotic treatment within the last year (P = 0.001), and for VMTH, hospitalization of dogs within the last year (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The prevalence of meticillin resistance was not different between VMTH and PCC isolates (P = 0.29). Previous antimicrobial therapy was an important risk factor for the isolation of MRS at both sites.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23331692/