Diversity and Risk Factors Associated with Multidrug and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococci Isolated from Cats Admitted to a Veterinary Clinic in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Understanding the distribution, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and risk factors associated with multidrug-resistant (MDR) and methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS) isolated from cats admitted to veterinary clinics may decrease the risk of MDR and MRS transmission to humans and other cats. As such, the objectives of this study were to investigate the diversity in Staphylococcus spp. recovered from different anatomical locations in healthy and diseased cats and to determine the occurrence of MDR and MRS spp. as well as possible risk factors associated with colonization in these cats. Five swabs were collected from the anus, skin, ear canal, conjunctival sac, and nares of each cat (209 healthy and 191 diseased) admitted to a veterinary clinic in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia, between January and December 2018. Prior to sample collection, cat owners completed a questionnaire collecting information on cat demographics, health status, management, and antimicrobial usage. In total, 179 Staphylococcus isolates were recovered from healthy (n = 71) and diseased (n = 108) cats, including 94 (52.5%) coagulase-positive staphylococci (CoPS), and 85 (47.5%) coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS). Five Staphylococcus spp. were identified, namely, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, Staphylococcus felis, Staphylococcus capitis, and Staphylococcus saprophyticus. Staphylococcus isolates were most commonly resistant to penicillin (56.4%) and ciprofloxacin (25.7%); however, no isolate was resistant to clindamycin. Thirty (16.8%) Staphylococcus spp. (24 S. aureus and 6 S. pseudintermedius) isolates were MDR, with resistance to up to six different antibiotic classes. Only 17 (9.5%) Staphylococcus spp. (15 methicillin-resistant S. aureus and 2 methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius) harbored the mecA gene. Risk factor analysis showed that cats with a history of antibiotic therapy, those raised mainly indoors with a child, and those who visit a veterinary clinic for treatment were at higher risk of MDR and MRS colonization. In conclusion, MDR and MRS were common in healthy and diseased cats in Saudi Arabia. Thus, an effective antimicrobial stewardship program and further studies using a One Health approach are required to investigate the role of cats as vectors for AMR transmission to humans.

Nasal Staphylococcus aureus and S. pseudintermedius carriage in healthy dogs and cats: a systematic review of their antibiotic resistance, virulence and genetic lineages of zoonotic relevance

“…The exposure of pets to their living environment or persistently colonized humans or other animals can be considered a risk factor for colonization with MRSA strains; thus, it is essential to identify community and environmental reservoirs and sources of MRSA in healthy dogs and cats (Mohamed et al, 2020 ). MRSA nasal carriage in healthy cats was detected by five studies in Libya, the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia (Elmoslemany et al, 2021 ; Elnageh et al, 2021 ; Gingrich et al, 2011 ; Loeffler et al, 2011 ; Quitoco et al, 2013 ) (Table S1 ). Moreover, nasal MRSA in healthy dogs has been studied and detected in all continents (Table S1 ).…”

“…MDR phenotype has also been reported to be common among S. pseudintermedius strains from diseased pets (100.0%) than healthy ones (73.0%) (Rynhoud et al, 2021). Focusing on some antimicrobials of great importance for human and animal health (or for epidemiological purposes), tetracycline resistance was reported in healthy cats in only one study related to MSSA isolates in Saudi Arabia (Elmoslemany et al, 2021). In contrast, tetracycline resistance was detected in nasal MRSA and MSSA isolates from healthy dogs in 12 studies (Table 2).…”

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Other Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococci and Mammaliicoccus (MRNaS) Associated with Animals and Food Products in Arab Countries: A Review

“…Likewise, they can pass these strains back to humans. However, in Arab countries, data on the prevalence and characteristics of MRSA in non-farm animals are scarce [ 122 , 123 , 124 ]. The prevalence of MRSA in pets ranged between 5.3% and 25% [ 122 , 123 ].…”

“…In Egypt, S. epidermidis and S. warneri strains obtained from goats and cattle (nasal swabs), respectively, were shown to harbor the mec A gene [ 160 ]. In addition, in S. intermedius , S. cohnii , S. capitis , M. sciuri [ 123 ] and S. pseudintermedius [ 124 ] from Libyan cats and dogs, the mec A gene has been detected [ 123 ]. On food products, mec A-positive S. hyicus , S. intermedius , S. lugdunensis have been detected [ 161 ].…”

Therapeutic Effect of Darkling Beetle (Zophobas morio) Hemolymph on Skin Thermal Injury in Mice Infected by Staphylococcus haemolyticus

“…Staphylococci are a group of bacteria that play an important role in clinical, veterinary, economic and agricultural fields, as they have strong resistance to antimicrobials and various virulence factors [1]. Domestic pets are considered potential reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens [2]. Staphylococcus aureus can be isolated from the skin or mucosa of 67.3% dogs and 73.8% cats in 383 registered companion pets [3].…”