Prevalence of mecA Gene and Antimicrobial Susceptibility in Staphylococci Taken from Dogs with Tumors With No Signs of Dermatitis and Healthy Dogs

摘要

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of mecA gene and antimicrobial susceptibility in staphylococci taken from dogs with tumors but no signs of dermatitis and healthy dogs Procedure. Swabs were taken from the inguinalregion of 72 healthy dogs referred to 2 private hospitals and 47 dogs referred to the teaching hospital at Azabu University that had presented with various tumors but had no other skin lesion. Results: Of the 72 healthy samples taken, 10 isolates were identified as staphylococci and, within these isolates, 2 isolates were found to have the mecA gene. In the dogs with tumor, of the 47 samples taken, 16 isolates were identified as staphylococci and, within these, 8 isolates were found to have the mecA gene, so the number of dogs possessing mecA gene showed significantly higher when compared to healthy dogs. In 16 isolates from dogs with tumors, levels of susceptibility to ampicillin and amoxicillin were low. However, levels of susceptibility to cephalexin, cefotaxime and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid were high, and there was no resistant strain against imipenem and vancomycin. Conclusions: These data suggest that dogs with tumors could act as reservoirs of mecA gene, if they show no skin lesions. Selection of effective antimicrobials is proposed as a treatment.