Occurrence of toxin genes in Staphylococcus pseudintermedius from diseased dogs and other domestic and wild species

Abstract

Introduction: Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is coagulase-positive species of the Staphylococcus intermedius group. It is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause infection in various parts of the body and has a zoonotic potential. Although studies on the pathogenicity and epidemiology of S. pseudintermedius are limited, it is known that this bacterium has several virulence factors, including toxins. These toxins can be classified into three main groups: pyrogenic toxins with superantigenic properties such as toxic shock syndrome toxin and staphylococcal enterotoxins, exfoliative toxins, and cytotoxins such as hemolysins and leukocidins. Methodology: In this study, the occurrence of eight toxin genes (sea, sec, tst, SIET, EXI, LuK F-I, Luk S-I, and hlg ƴ) was examined by PCR in 58 isolates of S. pseudintermedius from four domestic animal species. Results: All S. pseudintermedius isolates had at least one of the eight toxin genes. The predominant toxin genes were Luk S-I (95%), Luk F-I (91%), and EXI (91%), and the least prevalent gene was hlg ƴ (5%). Significant association (p = 0.0175) was found between the occurrence patterns of genes hlg ƴ and Luk F-I. Conclusions: The frequent occurrence of these genes in S. pseudintermedius obtained from diseased animals indicates that these toxins may play an important role in the pathogenesis of infection among domestic animals.

Virulence factors in coagulase-positive staphylococci of veterinary interest other than Staphylococcus aureus

“…In a later study (G omez-Sanz et al 2013), it was shown that all isolates of MSSP (n ¼ 16) also carried lukS/F-I. The Luk-I gene was detected in 29% isolates of S. pseudintermedius obtained from diseased dogs in Lithuania (Ruzauskas et al 2016) and in more than 90% isolates of clinical samples from domestic animals in Brazil (Pitchenin et al 2018).…”

“…SIET probably has a role in canine pyoderma and chronic otitis (Yoon et al 2010;Youn et al 2011;Bardiau et al 2013;Ruzauskas et al 2016). Almost all the isolates from otitis and dermatitis in domestic animals included in a recent study (Pitchenin et al 2018) produced SIET toxin and 24% of isolates produced EXI exfoliative toxin. The possibility that SIET-producing S. pseudintermedius can cause ophthalmic disease has also been suggested (Kang et al 2014).…”

“…The gene sec was the only one found in S. pseudintermedius strains isolated from carriers and infected dogs and at a very low prevalence (1.6%) (Garbacz et al 2013). When different S. pseudintermedius isolates from different clinical samples (mainly canine) were studied, a much higher prevalence of the enterotoxin genes sec (57%) and sea (17%) was observed (Pitchenin et al 2018). Considering otitis and dermatitis isolates (39), 24 harbored the sec and 6 the sea genes.…”

Pathogenic potential and antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius isolated from human and animals

“…Staphylococcus pseudintermediu s is a coagulase-positive species of staphylococci, commonly colonizing the skin and mucous membranes of animals, most often dogs and cats (Bardiau et al 2013 ; Pitchenin et al 2017 ; Chrobak-Chmiel et al 2018 ). It has also been proven that these bacteria are transmitted to humans in contact with animals (Phumthanakorn et al 2017 ).…”

“…The production of many enzymes, including coagulase, and the ability to form biofilms determine the multiplication of bacteria and, consequently, the development of infection. It has been shown that some strains can also produce toxins (Garbacz et al 2013 ; Pitchenin et al 2017 ). The presence of these characteristics in strains isolated from human clinical material indicates a risk that should be considered.…”