[Detection of the mecA gene in coagulase positive Staphylococcus isolated from cats]. / Detección del gen mecA en cepas de Staphylococcus coagulasa positiva aisladas desde gatos.

INTRODUCTION: Bacterial resistance is a global concern for public health. Reports of antimicrobial resistance, including that against methicillin, have increased in strains of coagulase positive Staphylococcus (CPS) isolated from pets, however in Chile this information is limited. OBJECTIVES: To determine the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles and to detect the mecA gene in CPS strains isolated from cats in Chile. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 134 samples were obtained from healthy cats and cats with skin lesions. These strains were characterized in their coagulase production and identified by BBL Crystal kit. The antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by Kirby Bauer method against 12 antimicrobials, including oxacillin. All strains were subjected to PCR to detect the mecA gene. RESULTS: 72 CPS strains were isolated, including S. aureus and S. intermedius. Antimicrobial resistance against at least one drug was detected in strains from both healthy cats (75%) and from cats with skin lesions (87.5%). The mecA gene was detected in eight methicillin-resistant strains and also in three sensitive strains, being in general multi-resistant. DISCUSSION: These results highlight the role of pets as reservoirs of bacterial resistance, and their potential impact on national public health.

Detección del gen mecA en cepas de Staphylococcus coagulasa positiva aisladas desde gatos / Detection of the mecA gene in coagulase positive Staphylococcus isolated from cats

Introduction: Bacterial resistance is a global concern for public health. Reports of antimicrobial resistance, including that against methicillin, have increased in strains of coagulase positive Staphylococcus (CPS) isolated from pets, however in Chile this information is limited. Objectives: To determine the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles and to detect the mecA gene in CPS strains isolated from cats in Chile. Materials and Methods : 134 samples were obtained from healthy cats and cats with skin lesions. These strains were characterized in their coagulase production and identified by BBL Crystal kit. The antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by Kirby Bauer method against 12 antimicrobials, including oxacillin. All strains were subjected to PCR to detect the mecA gene. Results: 72 CPS strains were isolated, including S. aureus and S. intermedius. Antimicrobial resistance against at least one drug was detected in strains from both healthy cats (75%) and from cats with skin lesions (87.5%). The mecA gene was detected in eight methicillin-resistant strains and also in three sensitive strains, being in general multi-resistant. Discussion: These results highlight the role of pets as reservoirs of bacterial resistance, and their potential impact on national public health.

Introducción: La resistencia bacteriana constituye un tema de preocupación para la salud pública mundial. Últimamente han aumentado los reportes de resistencia a antimicrobianos, incluida meticilina, en cepas de Staphylococcus coagulasa positiva (SCP) aisladas desde mascotas. Sin embargo, en Chile esta información es escasa. Objetivos: Determinar el perfil de susceptibilidad antimicrobiana y detectar el gen mecA en cepas de SCP aisladas desde gatos en Chile. Materiales y Métodos: Se obtuvieron 134 muestras desde gatos sanos y con lesiones dermatológicas. Las cepas fueron caracterizadas en su producción de coagulasa e identificadas mediante kit BBL Crystal. La susceptibilidad antimicrobiana se determinó mediante el método de Kirby Bauer ante 12 antimicrobianos, incluida oxacilina. Todas las cepas fueron sometidas a RPC para la detección del gen mecA. Resultados: 72 cepas de SCP fueron aisladas, incluyendo S. aureus y S. intermedius. Se detectó resistencia antimicrobiana a al menos un antimicrobiano en cepas de gatos sanos (75%) y de gatos con lesiones cutáneas (87,5%). El gen mecA fue detectado en ocho cepas resistentes a meticilina y en tres cepas sensibles, siendo en general multi-resistentes. Discusión: Estos resultados destacan el rol de las mascotas como reservorios de resistencia bacteriana y su potencial impacto en la salud pública.

[Dermatophyte infection and colonization in dogs from South Santiago, Chile]. / Infección y colonización por dermatofitos en cánidos del área sur de Santiago, Chile.

Our main aim was to determine the dermatophyte infection and colonization prevalence in canines from South Santiago, Chile. We studied 241 dogs, 121 of them presented cutaneous lesions suggestive of dermatophytosis and the other 120 were free from lesions and were considered clinically healthy. Dermatophytes were isolated from the lesions of 48.8% of animals with cutaneous diseases and from 5% of healthy dogs. Microsporum canis was the principal species isolated with a frequency of 98.3% from dermatophytosis and from all healthy carriers. The direct microscopic test showed a sensibility of 85% with a positive and negative predictive value of 74 and 79%, respectively. The highest prevalence of dermatophytosis were detected in animals up to one year old (p <= 0.05) and in dogs with high level of irritation, scaly skin, itching and alopecia (p < or = 0.05). The lesions were detected more frequently in head-neck and anterior members (p < or = 0.05). This study shows some clinical characteristics and a frequency of dermatophytes in canines that can be interesting for laboratory professionals and veterinarians.