Identificação e perfil de resistência fenotípico e genotípico de Staphylococcus aureus isolados de médicos veterinários, tutores, animais e ambiente hospitalar na cidade do Recife, Brasil

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the main threats to public health. Staphylococcus aureus resistant to different classes of antimicrobials is a priority for the implementation of preventive measures. Therefore, the objective of the study was to identify the bacterium in dogs and cats, in humans with close contact with these animals (guardians and veterinarians), veterinary instruments and veterinary hospital surfaces environment, to evaluate the genotypic and phenotypic profile of antimicrobial resistance. Bacterial recovery was performed using sterile swabs obtained in the second semester of 2021. 20 humans (8 veterinarians and 12 tutors), 13 animals (10 dogs and 3 cats), 14 ambulatory surfaces, 7 veterinarians’ stethoscopes and 8 veterinarians cell phones samples were collected. Isolation was performed on Agar Salt Mannitol and preliminary identification by Gram stain and catalase test. Subsequently, the species S. aureus was confirmed, and its genotypic profile was investigated by polymerase chain reaction. To determine the phenotypic profile of resistance, the disk-diffusion method was performed. Ten S. aureus isolates were recovered in 25% (2/8) of veterinarians, 25% (3/12) of tutors, 10% (1/10) of dogs, 33% (1/3) of cats and 7.14% (1/14) of inanimate surfaces. The phenotype mecA-positive oxacillin-sensitive S. aureus (OS-MRSA) was identified in a feline sample. The genotypic profile of bacterial specimens indicated resistance to different classes of antimicrobials, with a higher frequency of resistance to beta-lactams and quinolones, respectively, 90% (9/10) were holders of the blaZ gene and 90% (9/10) of the norA. In the phenotypic evaluation, all samples were resistant to penicillin and 80% (8/10) were resistant to erythromycin. Additionally, induced resistance by erythromycin to clindamycin were verified in the same 8 samples resistant to erythromycin (80%). Finally, the presence of genetic determinants of antimicrobial resistance with the phenotypic profile in S. aureus requires attention. The transfer of these resistance genes between bacteria may occur. Also, the risk of antimicrobial therapy failure in staphylococcal infections is possible.