Methicillin-resistant Staphylococci in Companion Animals

• DOI: 10.3201/eid1112.050241
• Publication Date: 2012-02-01T17:43:59Z
• Authors: Keith E. Baptiste; Kerry Williams; Nicola J. Willams; Andrew Wattret; Peter D. Clegg; Susan Dawson; John E. Corkill; Turlough O'Neill; C. Anthony Hart
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; dogs; Staphylococcus aureus; MRSA; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; Nose; Perineum; Hospitals, Animal; 03 medical and health sciences; Dogs; Animals; Humans; Horses; horses; Skin; R; Dispatch; dispatch; zoonosis; Staphylococcal Infections; 3. Good health; Carrier State; Cats; Medicine; Methicillin Resistance; veterinary hospitals

We determined the molecular characteristics of methicillin-resistant staphylococci from animals and staff at a small animal and equine hospital. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) identical to human EMRSA-15 was found in dogs and hospital staff. In contrast, 5 distinct MRSA strains were isolated from horses but not from hospital staff.