Epidemiology of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus species carriage in companion animals in the Greater Brisbane Area, Australia

To detect methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and S. pseudintermedius (MRSP) swab samples were collected from dogs, cats and horses from South East Queensland (SE QLD). MRSP carriage in dogs was 8.7% and no MRSP was isolated from cats and horses; no MRSA was isolated. Risk factors for carriage included previous hospitalisation, previous bacterial infection, consultation type, average precipitation, and human population density. The probability of MRSP carriage was highest in Brisbane city, Sunshine Coast and Gympie. This suggests that MRSP carriage in dog populations from SE QLD is geographically clustered and associated with clinical and environmental factors.

Automated summary

MRSP carriage was detected in dogs from South East Queensland, with risk factors including previous hospitalisation, previous bacterial infection, consultation type, average precipitation, and human population density. The highest carriage probability was observed in Brisbane city, Sunshine Coast and Gympie, suggesting a geographical clustering of MRSP carriage in dog populations from the region.