PARTICIPATION AND DRUG RESISTANCE OF COAGULASE-POSITIVE STAPHYLOCOCCI ISOLATED FROM CASES OF PYODERMA AND OTITIS EXTERNA IN DOGS

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is considered as a major pathogen in dogs, typically involved in skin and ear infections. Other staphylococci, as well as β-hemolytic streptococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa or yeast-like fungi of the genus Malassezia also play an important role in inflammation. Because of this diversity, an appropriate choice of antimicrobial agent(-s) can be difficult. A total of 474 tests were performed (including 255 pyoderma and 219 otitis externa cases). In the case of pyoderma, 82.4% of skin lesions were caused by staphylococci. Co-infections with β-hemolytic streptococci (17.3 %), Malassezia sp . (15.7 %) and P . aeruginosa (4.3 %) were also recorded. For external ear infections, the share of staphylococci in inflammation was lower (44.8 %) than that of Malassezia sp . (58 %). Relatively frequent co-infections with β-hemolytic streptococci (18.8 %) and P. aeruginosa (7.8 %) were also noted. A total of 308 susceptibility tests for coagulase-positive staphylococci were performed (210 and 98 for skin and otitis externa , respectively). In ≥ 86 % of cases, amoxicillin potentiated with clavulanic acid, cephalexin and fluoroquinolones effectively inhibited the growth of all bacteria in vitro . A total of 25 isolates (24 S. pseudintermedius and one S. aureus ) were considered as methicillin-resistant. The mecA gene was identified in 100 % of those strains but only 44 % of the isolates additionally carried the bla Z gene. All mecA -positive staphylococci were multidrug-resistant, mainly to all β-lactams, fluoroquinolones, linkozamides, macrolides as well as sulfonamides but always susceptible to mupirocin. Overall, multidrug-resistance varied between 6 % ( otitis externa ) and 9 % (inflamed skin) and may become a significant problem in the future. Key words: pyoderma; otitis externa; dog; staphylococci; multidrug resistance; mecA , mupirocin PARTICIPATION AND DRUG RESISTANCE OF COAGULASE-POSITIVE STAPHYLOCOCCI ISOLATED FROM CASES OF PYODERMA AND OTITIS EXTERNA IN DOGS Povzetek: Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is considered as a major pathogen in dogs, typically involved in skin and ear infections. Other staphylococci, as well as β-hemolytic streptococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa or yeast-like fungi of the genus Malassezia also play an important role in inflammation. Because of this diversity, an appropriate choice of antimicrobial agent(-s) can be difficult. A total of 474 tests were performed (including 255 pyoderma and 219 otitis externa cases). In the case of pyoderma, 82.4 % of skin lesions were caused by staphylococci. Co-infections with β-hemolytic streptococci (17.3 %), Malassezia sp . (15.7 %) and P . aeruginosa (4.3 %) were also recorded. For external ear infections, the share of staphylococci in inflammation was lower (44.8%) than that of Malassezia sp . (58 %). Relatively frequent co-infections with β-hemolytic streptococci (18.8 %) and P. aeruginosa (7.8 %) were also noted. A total of 308 susceptibility tests for coagulase-positive staphylococci were performed (210 and 98 for skin and otitis externa , respectively). In ≥ 86 % of cases, amoxicillin potentiated with clavulanic acid, cephalexin and fluoroquinolones effectively inhibited the growth of all bacteria in vitro . A total of 25 isolates (24 S. pseudintermedius and one S. aureus ) were considered as methicillin-resistant. The mecA gene was identified in 100 % of those strains but only 44 % of the isolates additionally carried the bla Z gene. All mecA -positive staphylococci were multidrug-resistant, mainly to all β-lactams, fluoroquinolones, linkozamides, macrolides as well as sulfonamides but always susceptible to mupirocin. Overall, multidrug-resistance varied between 6 % ( otitis externa ) and 9 % (inflamed skin) and may become a significant problem in the future. Kljucne besede: pyoderma; otitis externa; dog; staphylococci; multidrug resistance; mecA , mupirocin