Virulence Potential of Biofilm-Producing , and Causing Skin Infections in Companion Animals.

Coagulase-positive staphylococci (CoPS) account for most bacteria-related pyoderma in companion animals. Emergence of methicillin-resistant strains of (MRSP), (MRSA) or (MRSC), often with multidrug-resistant (MDR) phenotypes, is a public health concern. The study collection comprised 237 staphylococci ( ( = 155), ( = 55) and ( = 27)) collected from companion animals, previously characterized regarding resistance patterns and clonal lineages. Biofilm production was detected for 51.0% (79/155), 94.6% (52/55) and 88.9% (24/27) of the , and respectively, and was a frequent trait of the predominant and clonal lineages. The production of biofilm varied with NaCl supplementation of the growth media. All and strains carried . Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of infected with different CoPS revealed a higher virulence potential of when compared with other CoPS. Our study highlights a high frequency of biofilm production by prevalent antimicrobial-resistant clonal lineages of CoPS associated with animal pyoderma, potentially related with a higher virulence potential and persistent or recurrent infections.