Molecular Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance Profile of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius Isolated From Hospital-Visited Cats.

Coagulase-positive staphylococci, notably Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, are common pathogens that are frequently associated with suppurative infections in companion animals. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the molecular prevalence, antimicrobial resistance profiles, and associated risk factors of S. aureus and S. pseudintermedius carriage in cats. Standard bacteriological procedures as well as the nuc and pse genes specific PCR were performed to isolate and identify the S. aureus and S. pseudintermedius. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP) were identified by detecting the mecA gene. A total of 251 swab samples were collected from different body sites of 80 cats. The results showed that 24 (30%) and 5 (6.25%) cats carried S. aureus and S. pseudintermedius, respectively. S. aureus isolates exhibited the highest resistance to penicillin (94.29%) and ampicillin (91.5%), while 60% of S. pseudintermedius isolates were resistant to ampicillin, erythromycin, and ciprofloxacin. Thirty-two (91%) S. aureus isolates and two (40%) S. pseudintermedius isolates demonstrated resistance to ≥ 3 classes of antimicrobials, indicating multidrug resistance (MDR). The prevalence of MRSA was 11.43%, with none of the S. pseudintermedius isolates carrying the mecA gene and neither S. aureus nor S. pseudintermedius harboring the ermA gene. Multivariable logistic regression identified the previous use of antibiotics as a risk factor for S. aureus colonization in cats (odds ratio [OR] 3.84; 95% CI: 1.23-11.95). Cats with otitis externa (OR 46; 95% CI: 3.2-660.4) and steroid use (OR 46; 95% CI: 3.2-660.4) were potential risk factors for S. pseudintermedius carriage. The circulation of MDR isolates, including the detection of MRSA, poses a significant concern for the clinical management of companion animals.