Identification of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Isolated from Canine Otitis Externa Cases

Abstract

The current study aimed to identify methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated from dogs' ears collected from various locations in Baghdad, Iraq. One hundred and fifty swabs from dogs' with otitis externa were collected from October 2021 to December 2021. Samples were inoculated on mannitol salt agar (MSA) and incubated at 37°C for 24 hrs, then sub cultured on blood agar. Colony characterization, Gram’s staining, common biochemical assays, and the analytical profile of VITEK® 2 were used for isolates detection In addition, and the genotypic analysis of the MRSA isolates by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting the mecA gene was performed. Staphylococcus aureus was found in 26.6% (40/150) of dogs 'swabs based on VITEK® 2 system. The aforementioned system revealed that the isolates had an identification level with a probability of 99 percent, according to the manufacturer's technical data sheet and the Genotypes identified by PCR showed that the isolate selected from (40) isolates (100%) harboring mecA genes. It can be concluded from this study that MRSA isolates harboring the mecA gene are associated with the otitis externa cases in dogs.