Presence and antimicrobial resistance of coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from animals in a Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Cyprus

Abstract

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are a group of commensal microorganisms residing on the skin and mucous membranes of both humans and animals. Until recently, they have been regarded as non-pathogenic to livestock and companion animals, but since then, their clinical importance in veterinary medicine has increased with the discovery of their potential pathogenic roles in animals causing skin and soft tissue infections together with spontaneous abortions and mastitis. Scientific data concerning the presence of CoNS in North Cyprus are very limited. Therefore, the purpose of the study reported herein was to investigate the presence and antimicrobial resistance patterns of CoNS species isolated from various animals presented at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital in North Cyprus between July 2018 and 2019. Staphylococci were isolated from 37.0% (87/235) of the samples submitted, within which 60.9% (53/87) and 39.1% (34/87) were identified as coagulase-positive staphylococci (CoPS) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), respectively. Among the CoNS, S. chromogenes was the most predominantly isolated species (14/34, 41.2%), followed by S. capitis (5/34, 14.7%) and S. simulans (4/34, 11.8%). Of these 34 CoNS, 24 (70.6%) and 10 (29.4%) were identified as MRCoNS and MSCoNS, respectively. The CoNS isolates showed relatively high levels of resistance towards amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (19/34, 55.9%), tetracycline (14/34, 41.2%) and penicillin (13/34, 38.2%). In conclusion, the presence of CoNS, especially MRCoNS, and the detection of multiple drug resistant (MDR) species with a high prevalence were regarded as being important since they might limit and have negative effects on the therapeutic treatment options of staphylococcal infections in animals, and might have both public and veterinary concerns.

Colonization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus species in healthy and sick pets: prevalence and risk factors

“…Interestingly, CoPS were isolated more frequently from dogs (61.4%) compared to cats (12.8%), whereas more CoNS were isolated from cats (87.2%) compared to dogs (38.6%). Our results were similar to those of Abdel-Moein et al [ 7 ] but contrasted with those of Sukur et al [ 36 ]. The high rate of CoPS in dogs is associated with frequent carriage of S. pseudintermedius , as confirmed by our study and previous reports, while in cats both S. aureus and S. pseudintermedius are much less common [ 2 , 3 , 26 ].…”

“…The high rate of CoPS in dogs is associated with frequent carriage of S. pseudintermedius , as confirmed by our study and previous reports, while in cats both S. aureus and S. pseudintermedius are much less common [ 2 , 3 , 26 ]. This result is important when considering the high methicillin resistance rate of CoNS isolates worldwide [ 5 , 7 , 34 ]. Few studies have compared the virulence factors of CoNS and CoPS [ 1 ]; however, both groups are now considered major pathogens, due to drug resistance, possible horizontal gene transfer, and zoonotic potential [ 1 , 4 , 5 , 7 ].…”

“…This result is important when considering the high methicillin resistance rate of CoNS isolates worldwide [ 5 , 7 , 34 ]. Few studies have compared the virulence factors of CoNS and CoPS [ 1 ]; however, both groups are now considered major pathogens, due to drug resistance, possible horizontal gene transfer, and zoonotic potential [ 1 , 4 , 5 , 7 ]. The highest methicillin resistance rate was observed among CoNS (nearly 18%) in the current study, in contrast to only 2% in the CoPS group.…”

“…In comparison, the most common species in pets are S. felis, the S. sciuri group (including S. lentus ), S. capitis , and S. cohnii [ 4 , 5 ]. Until recently, CoNS were considered non-pathogenic or culture-based contaminants; however, this heterogeneous group is now considered clinically significant because of virulence factors and pathogenicity [ 1 , 5 – 7 ].…”

Effect of coagulase-negative staphylococci on colostrum composition, properties and fatty acid profile

“…The most common microorganisms isolated from cows' milk are coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) -a group of commensal microorganisms present on the skin and mucous membranes of animals and humans. Previously they have been regarded as non-pathogenic to livestock but now their connection with spontaneous abortions and mastitis is established [9,10]. CNS are associated with subclinical mastitis and persistent increases in the bulk milk somatic cell count (SCC), resistance to antimicrobials, as well as bio lm production [11,12].…”