PREVALENCE AND MOLECULAR DETECTION OF METHICILLIN-RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS FROM DOGS AND CATS IN DHAKA CITY

Abstract

Pet (dog and cat) animal numbers have substantially increased in modern society. There is concern over transmission of Staphylococcal infection including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) between animals and humans. The objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of MRSA from apparently healthy and diseased dog and cat of different veterinary Hospital, clinics and pet animal market in Dhaka city. Samples collected for detection of MRSA were nasal swab, pus and wound swab. Among the 93 samples, 40.86% (n=38/93) were confirmed as positive for S. aureus and4.30% (n=4/93) as MRSA. The detection of MRSA was confirmed phenotypically and also by PCR targeting mec Agene specific for MRSA. All isolates isolated S. aureus were coagulase positive and hence pathogenic. Antibiogram study showed that all these isolates were sensitive to vancomycin and tetracycline. The overall prevalence of MRSA was higher in dog (4.91%) compared to cat (3.13%). The highest prevalence of MRSA (5.88%) was recorded in samples collected from Kataban Pet Animal Market, Dhaka. On sample basis MRSA was higher in nasal swab compared to pus and wound swab. On age basis, the prevalence of MRSA was higher in younger animal compared to older animal. The highest prevalence of S. aureus was found in diseased dog and highest prevalence of MRSA was found in diseased cat. None of the healthy cat was found positive for MRSA. Present study emphasizes that dogs and cats may act as a possible reservoirs for transmission of MRSA to human.