Abstract

Objectives
To investigate whether hospitalised dogs treated surgically may become culture positive for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Methods
Surgically treated dogs (n=45) were sampled for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus on admission, before and after surgery and at the time of removal of surgical stitches. The hospital environment (n=57), including healthy dogs in the veterinary hospital environment (n=34), were sampled for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Genetic variations among methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates were identified through detection of restriction fragment polymorphisms.

Results
No dogs developed a wound infection due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. However, there was a significant increase in the number of dogs carrying methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius after hospitalisation compared to admission (P<0.001). No methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from dogs, but was present in the environment. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius isolates were recovered from environmental surfaces and hospitalised animals, but not from healthy dogs. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius isolates representing nine different restriction endonuclease digestion patterns were found, with two of these occurring in both the environment and on dogs.

Clinical Significance
Dogs may contract methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in association with surgery and hospitalisation. Resistant bacteria may be transmitted between dogs, staff and the environment. Dogs colonised with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius may be a source for hospital- and community-acquired infections.

Published in

Journal of Small Animal Practice
2012, Volume: 53, number: 7, pages: 404-410
Publisher: WILEY-BLACKWELL

SLU Authors

• Bergström, Annika

  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Wallander, Camilla

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Fredriksson, Mona

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Trowald-Wigh, Gunilla

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Associated SLU-program

AMR: Bacteria


Sustainable Development Goals

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages


UKÄ Subject classification

Pathobiology
Clinical Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-5827.2012.01238.x

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/40644