Four staphylococcal isolates from clinical and necropsy specimens from a cat, a dog, a horse and a parrot (Psittacus erithacus timneh) were found to constitute a distinct taxon. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that its closest phylogenetic relatives are Staphylococcus intermedius and Staphylococcus delphini. Growth characteristics, biochemical features and DNA-DNA hybridizations demonstrated that the strains differ from these and other known species and that they represent a single, novel Staphylococcus species for which the name Staphylococcus pseudintermedius sp. nov. is proposed. The novel species is commonly confused with S. intermedius in routine diagnostic veterinary bacteriology. Although the strains described were isolated from lesions and show several characteristics typical of pathogenic staphylococci, such as coagulase, DNase and b-haemolysin production, the pathogenic significance of the novel species remains unclear. The type strain, LMG 22219 T (=ON 86 T =CCUG 49543 T ), was isolated from lung tissue of a cat.

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) are the most frequently isolated bacteria in milk samples from cows with and without mastitis. Elucidating their relevance in bovine udder health is hampered because identification at the species level, if done at all, used to be performed based on phenotypic features. To provide a rapid, cheap, and easy-to-use genotypic technique that can be used to identify CNS species from milk and teat apices from cows, the performance of transfer RNA-intergenic spacer PCR (tDNA-PCR) in combination with capillary electrophoresis was evaluated. After updating the tDNA library with CNS reference strains, 288 field isolates were identified with tDNA-PCR and gene sequencing, and the latter was used as the reference method. The field isolates were divided in 2 groups of 144. Isolates of the first group were identified with tDNA-PCR with a typeability of 81.9% and an accuracy of 94.1%. Peak patterns of these isolates were then added to the tDNA library with species identity as determined by DNA sequencing. The second group was identified with the updated tDNA library, resulting in 91.0% typeability and 99.2% accuracy. This study showed that the updated tDNA-PCR in combination with capillary electrophoresis was almost as accurate as gene sequencing but faster and cheaper (only $3 per isolate), and is a useful tool in observational studies concerning the epidemiology of bovine CNS species.

19During the last few years, acquired resistance to colistin in , but also in other 20 bacterial species, has been reported. It disk diffusion assay, suggesting acquired resistance in 15 strains (9.6 %). The E-test and disk 29 prediffusion assay generated results within acceptable levels compared to the reference agar 30 dilution assay. The categorical agreement with the results obtained the agar dilution 31 method were good to very good for all tests, except the disk diffusion assay. In conclusion, 32 current results suggest that, in addition to the E-test, the disk prediffusion test is a reliable, 33 alternative agar-based colistin susceptibility method for testing colistin susceptibility of 34 isolates in diagnostic bacteriology.

A prospective study was performed to explore the prescription habits in fourteen first-line, small animal practices during first consultations of cats and dogs. Consultations one month prior to the implementation of antimicrobial use guidelines and at least 20 days thereafter were examined. Differences in the proportion of consultations during which antimicrobials were prescribed, were assessed. Additionally, changes in the choice of active substance were critically evaluated against the introduced antimicrobial use guidelines. The proportion of consultations where antimicrobials were prescribed decreased in cats and dogs (both –12%) after the introduction of the antimicrobial use guidelines. There was an increase of consultations of cats (+13%) and dogs (+10%) where veterinarians handled according to those guidelines. However, an increase in the prescription of third-choice antimicrobials and highest priority critically important antimicrobials was noticed both in cats (+8% and +12%, respectively) and dogs (both +5%). This unexpected increase invites to create extra awareness amongst prescribers.

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