Geographical variations in virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance amongst Staphylococci isolated from dogs: The United Kingdom compared to Romania

The objective of this study was to compare virulence and resistance factors of mucosal and cutaneous staphylococci from dogs with pyoderma in the UK and Romania, two countries with different approaches to antimicrobial use in companion animals. Staphylococcal isolates (n=166) identified to the species level as being Staphylococcus pseudintermedius or coagulase negative (CoNS) were analysed for their antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profile and presence of resistance and virulence genes. Of the investigated isolates, 26 were methicillin resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP), 89 were methicillin susceptible S. pseudintermedius (MSSP) and 51 were coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNS). A significantly larger number of isolates originating from Romania were resistant to clindamycin, tetracycline, and chloramphenicol compared to the UK isolates (P\u003c0.05). Resistance to ampicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, gentamicin and trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole was more evident in UK isolates. Fusidic acid resistance was common in Staphylococcus spp. isolates from both countries. The majority of isolates carried virulence factors associated with siet (exfoliative toxin) and luk (leucocidin) genes. All MRSP UK isolates exhibited fusidic acid resistance genes whilst this was very rare in the MRSP isolates from Romania. The chlorhexidine resistance gene qacA/B was frequently identified in CoNS isolates from the UK (P\u003c0.001). The current study documented differences in antimicrobial resistance profiles of Staphylococcus spp. isolates from dogs in two geographical locations in Europe, which could reflect differences in antimicrobial prescribing patterns. The study also highlights the need for further studies and interventions on antimicrobial use, prescribing patterns and AMR surveillance in companion animals in Romania.