Detection, molecular characterization, and antibiogram of multi-drug resistant and methicillin-resistant (MRSA) isolated from pets and pet owners in Malaysia.

BACKGROUND

The emergence of multidrug-resistant strains such as methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and multidrug-resistant (MDRSA) in animals and humans with continuous contact are a great zoonotic concern.

AIMS

This cross-sectional study was performed to investigate the carriage rate, genotypic characteristics, and to determine the antibiogram of isolated from pets and pet owners in Malaysia.

METHODS

Nasal and oral swab samples from 40 cats, 30 dogs, and 70 pet owners were collected through convenient sampling. Presumptive colonies on mannitol salt agar were subjected to biochemical identification. and MRSA were confirmed by PCR detection of and genes, respectively. Molecular profiles for antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes in were also determined. The antibiogram was carried out via Kirby-Bauer test using 18 antibiotics.

RESULTS

17.5% of cats, 20% of dogs, and 27% of pet owners were positive. MRSA was also detected in dogs, and pet owners. isolates displayed high resistance against penicillin (72.7%), and amoxicillin/clavulanate (66.7%). 39.4% of isolates showed multidrug-resistance traits, phenotypically. Molecular characterization of revealed the presence of , , , , , , , , , , , and genes.

CONCLUSION

This study showed the emergence of MRSA and MDRSA in pets and pet owners in Malaysia. The antibiogram findings showed resistance of to multiple antibiotics. Furthermore, molecular analysis of immune evasion cluster (IEC) strongly suggests the spread of animal-adapted lineages among pets and pet owners.