Molecular detection and antibiogram of Staphylococcus aureus in rabbits, rabbit handlers, and rabbitry in Terengganu, Malaysia

Authors

  • Min Hian Chai School of Animal Science, Aquatic Science and Environment, Faculty of Bioresources and Food Industry, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Besut, Terengganu, Malaysia.
  • Muhammad Zikree Sukiman School of Animal Science, Aquatic Science and Environment, Faculty of Bioresources and Food Industry, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Besut, Terengganu, Malaysia.
  • Nurlailasari Mohammad Najib School of Animal Science, Aquatic Science and Environment, Faculty of Bioresources and Food Industry, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Besut, Terengganu, Malaysia.
  • Nor Arifah Mohabbar School of Animal Science, Aquatic Science and Environment, Faculty of Bioresources and Food Industry, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Besut, Terengganu, Malaysia.
  • Nur Aina Nadhirah Mohd Azizan School of Animal Science, Aquatic Science and Environment, Faculty of Bioresources and Food Industry, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Besut, Terengganu, Malaysia.
  • Noor Muzamil Mohamad Centralised Laboratory Management Centre, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Besut, Terengganu, Malaysia.
  • Siti Mariam Zainal Ariffin Department of Veterinary Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia.
  • Mohd Faizal Ghazali School of Animal Science, Aquatic Science and Environment, Faculty of Bioresources and Food Industry, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Besut, Terengganu, Malaysia.

Keywords:

Rabbit; Staphylococcus aureus; MRSA; nuc gene; mecA gene; antibiogram

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the prevalence and antibiogram of Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistance S. aureus (MRSA) in rabbits, rabbit handlers, and rabbitry envi­ronments in Terengganu.  Materials and Methods: Swab samples from 183 rabbits (183 oral and 183 ear swabs), 45 rab­bit handlers (45 oral and 45 nasal), and environmental (n = 180) samples from rabbitries were collected from 10 rabbit farms in Terengganu. The associated S. aureus isolates from the swabs were isolated using phenotypic microbiology tests. The bacteria were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction targeting nuc (S. aureus) and mecA (MRSA) genes. The antibiogram of all S. aureus isolates was determined using the Kirby–Bauer test.  Results: Staphylococcus aureus was detected in 19% of rabbits, 26.7% of rabbit handlers, and 8.8% of swabs from the rabbitry environment. However, MRSA (0%) could not be detected. Antibiotic susceptibility test revealed that S. aureus from rabbits showed low resistance (<20%) against 15 different antibiotics while fully susceptible to 4 antibiotics. Meanwhile, S. aureus from rabbit han­dlers showed high resistance against penicillin (86%), oxacillin (64%), and amoxicillin (50%).  Conclusions: This study suggests the emergence of antibiotic-resistant S. aureus in rabbit farms settings. Therefore, careful selection of antimicrobial agents will be essential to preserve the effectiveness of treatments toward S. aureus infections.

J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 8(3): 388-395, September 2021

http://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2021.h527

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Published

2021-09-19

How to Cite

Chai, M. H., Sukiman, M. Z., Najib, N. M., Mohabbar, N. A., Azizan, N. A. N. M., Mohamad, N. M., Ariffin, S. M. Z., & Ghazali, M. F. (2021). Molecular detection and antibiogram of Staphylococcus aureus in rabbits, rabbit handlers, and rabbitry in Terengganu, Malaysia. Journal of Advanced Veterinary and Animal Research, 8(3), 388–395. Retrieved from https://banglajol.info/index.php/JAVAR/article/view/76374

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Original Articles