Methicillin-resistant coagulase-positive staphylococci in new, middle-aged, and old veterinary hospitals in southern Thailand: A preliminary study

Research (Published online: 07-02-2024)

5. Methicillin-resistant coagulase-positive staphylococci in new, middle-aged, and old veterinary hospitals in southern Thailand: A preliminary study

Tanawan Soimala, Siriwat Wasiksiri, Kanpapat Boonchuay, Tuempong Wongtawan, and Punpichaya Fungwithaya

Veterinary World, 17(2): 282-288

Tanawan Soimala: Faculty of Veterinary Science, Prince of Songkhla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand; Tierärztliches Gesundheitszentrum Oerzen, Melbeck 21406, Germany.

Siriwat Wasiksiri: Faculty of Veterinary Science, Prince of Songkhla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.

Kanpapat Boonchuay: Akkraratchkumari Veterinary College, Walailak University, Thai Buri, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand; Centre for One Health, Walailak University, Thai Buri, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand.

Tuempong Wongtawan: Akkraratchkumari Veterinary College, Walailak University, Thai Buri, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand; Centre for One Health, Walailak University, Thai Buri, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand; Excellence Centre for Melioidosis and Other, Walailak University, Thai Buri, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand.

Punpichaya Fungwithaya: Office of Administrative Interdisciplinary Program on Agricultural Technology, School of Agricultural Technology, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok 10520 Thailand.

Background and Aim: Methicillin-resistant coagulase-positive staphylococci (MRCoPS) cause pyoderma, dermatitis, and nosocomial infection. Numerous factors, including indiscriminate antimicrobial use (AMU) in veterinary medicine, cleaning practices, and AMU in hospitals, contribute to MRCoPS. However, the relationship between hospital age and MRCoPS has not yet been investigated. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of MRCoPS in the treatment and operation rooms of new, middle-aged, and old veterinary hospitals.

Materials and Methods: Samples were collected from small animal hospitals in Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Songkhla in Thailand. Hospitals were defined as those that had been in operation for 5 years (new, n = 5), 5–15 years (middle-aged, n = 6), or >15 years (old, n = 3). Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used to identify 280 samples, and duplex polymerase chain reaction was used to identify resistance genes (mecA and blaZ). The VITEK2® automated system was then used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration.

Results: A total of 57 Staphylococcus species were identified and classified as coagulase-positive staphylococci (CoPS) (22/57, 38.60%) or coagulase-negative staphylococci (35/57, 61.40%), respectively. Nine of the 22 CoPS (40.90%) harbored the mecA gene, and 21 isolates (95.45%) harbored the blaZ gene. Interestingly, more MRCoPS was found in new hospitals (six isolates) than in middle-aged (one isolate) and old hospitals (two isolates), although there was no statistically significant difference in the presence of MRCoPS across new, middle-aged, and old veterinary hospitals (p = 0.095), Kruskal–Wallis test. There is a need for further detailed studies, including an increase in the number of hospitals in various locations.

Conclusion: MRCoPS is a nosocomial pathogen that causes zoonotic and recurrent infections in veterinary hospitals. The prevalence of MRCoPS tended to be higher in new hospitals. Areas with heavy animal contact, such as hospital floors, are areas of particular concern, and cleaning/disinfection of these areas must be highlighted in hygiene regimens.

Keywords: antimicrobial susceptibility, methicillin resistance, Staphylococcus spp.