High Prevalence of Multidrug-Resistant Community-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus at the Largest Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Costa Rica

Abstract

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a pathogen associated with severe infections in companion animals present in the community, and it is diagnosed in animals admitted to veterinary hospitals. However, reports that describe the circulation of MRSA in animal populations and veterinary settings in Latin America are scarce. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and investigate the molecular epidemiology of MRSA in the environment of the largest veterinary teaching hospital in Costa Rica. Preselected contact surfaces were sampled twice within a 6-week period. Antimicrobial resistance, SCCmec type, Panton-Valentine leukocidin screening, USA type, and clonality were assessed in all recovered isolates. Overall, MRSA was isolated from 26.5% (27/102) of the surfaces sampled, with doors, desks, and examination tables most frequently contaminated. Molecular analysis demonstrated a variety of surfaces from different sections of the hospital contaminated by three highly related clones/pulsotypes. All, but one of the isolates were characterized as multidrug-resistant SCCmec type IV-USA700, a strain sporadically described in other countries and often classified as community acquired. The detection and frequency of this unique strain in this veterinary setting suggest Costa Rica has a distinctive MRSA ecology when compared with other countries/regions. The high level of environmental contamination highlights the necessity to establish and enforce standard cleaning and disinfection protocols to minimize further spread of this pathogen and reduce the risk of nosocomial and/or occupational transmission of MRSA.

CA-MRSA and HA-MRSA coexist in community and hospital settings in Uganda

“…A similar trend of CA-MRSA being MDR has been observed elsewhere especially in Europe, Asia and the Americas [43–46]. Case in point is a study from a large veterinary teaching hospital in Costa Rica where nearly all CA-MRSA isolates investigated were MDR and carried SCC mec type IV [44].…”

Bacterial contamination of slit lamps in veterinary ophthalmology

“…Considering studies about HAIs in human medicine, the potential for similar problems in veterinary medicine exists. Various bacteria were found on surfaces and employees in different studies in veterinary clinics, and the potential for cross‐contamination was found in previous reports …”

Transmission Chains of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae at the Companion Animal Veterinary Clinic–Household Interface

“…Antimicrobial resistance in companion animals is of public health importance because of the close contact between pets and their owners, which can facilitate the transmission of resistant bacteria [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. The trend towards intensive medical care of dogs and cats fosters hospitalization and nosocomial infections [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ] and has led to a growing number of geriatric and immunosuppressed animal patients that are highly susceptible to infections, including those with antimicrobial resistant microorganisms (ARM). Antimicrobial use, which is discussed as one of the main drivers of resistance development, is common in companion animal medicine, including the use of highest priority critically important antimicrobials and even antibiotics of last resort, such as carbapenems, are administered in some instances [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ].…”