The problem of Staphylococcus aureus, which is resistant to methicillin antibiotic (MRSA) is a severe threat to humans throughout the world and also reported frequently in nosocomial infections in Indonesia. MRSA often occurs in humans, and the source of its transmission is still not explored if it originates in animals. Several studies have revealed that dogs and cats can also play a role as a source of MRSA transmission. Transmission from humans to animals or vice versa can occur. It can cause bacterial transmission, and pets can act as a reservoir in the spread of infection in humans, when in contact with animals. MRSA infections in humans in various forms such as mild skin infections, blood vessels, pneumonia, pericarditis, infections of the central nervous system, wound infections, surgical site infections, pyoderma, otitis, and urinary tract infections.
Research reports are stating that MRSA is transmitted from healthy dogs. However, methicillin is not used for animal therapy; the transfer of resistance will increase the spread of MRSA infections between animals and humans or vice versa. Based on this background, it is necessary to conduct research on MRSA in Indonesia in pets, especially dogs, and identification of merchandise genes so that the spread of MRSA can be prevented.
Swab samples are taken from diseased dogs with symptoms of pain, diarrhea, vomiting, tremors. Also, healthy dogs that showed no symptoms of the disease and samples from animal hospitals, veterinary clinics in Surabaya were collected. Isolation and identification of Staphylococcus aureus were carried out using Manitol Salt Agar (MSA) and isolates identified as Staphylococcus aureus were characterized by plasma freezing and positive Voges Proskauer (VP) tests. Confirmation tests were carried out for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by planting colonies from MSA media cultured on Oxacillin Resistant Screen Agar Base (ORSAB), followed by the use of PCR to detect mecA encoding genes to determine the molecular conformation of MRSA.
Based on the results of isolation and identification carried out on 85 samples of dog nose swabs from 5 regions in Surabaya, there were 43 (50.59%) positive samples of Staphylococcus aureus. Forty-three positive samples of Staphylococcus aureus were identified and confirmed by the MRSA test using ORSAB media, 25 isolates (29.41%) were methicillin-resistant (MRSA). The finding of the mecA gene is the primary evidence for detecting MRSA isolates, our findings in this study indicate that a low mecA gene of 5/25 (20%) can be used to look for other intrinsic factors that can influence the mecA gene in increasing resistance with a number of MRSA prevalence tall one. Another thing to consider is the absence of the mecA gene in MRSA isolates in other studies. These findings indicate that the presence of factors other than the mechanism of the mecA gene responsible for beta-lactam resistance and the molecular method of the mecA gene alone is not sufficient for the configuration and characterization of MRSA isolates. Other encodings such as the presence of the mecC gene also have a role in detecting MRSA isolates. Although the data obtained in this study are several mecA genes, which are obtained from dogs or in other words, the source of MRSA transmission to humans can be proven molecularly derived from pets.
Molecular identification of the mecA gene can be used to prove the presence of MRSA in dogs. Therefore, MRSA in dogs in Surabaya must be brought to the attention of the government for early detection by responding to and encouraging the use of antibiotics in pets to be precise and rational. The important step is to reduce the incidence of MRSA that has brunt from pets, especially dogs.
Correspondent author: Dr. Mustofa Helmi Effendi, drh., DTAPH
Link:
Rahmaniar RP, Yunita MN, Effendi MH, Yanestria SM. Encoding Gene for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Isolated from Nasal Swab of Dogs. Indian Veterinary Journal. 2020 . 97 (2): 37 – 40.
