Comprehensive characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius from canine infections in Brazil, a prospective multicentre study

• Grant number: 23/08088-6
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: December 01, 2023
• End date: November 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Preventive Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Marita Vedovelli Cardozo
• Grantee: Marita Vedovelli Cardozo
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Jaboticabal. Jaboticabal , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Luca Guardabassi ; Lucas José Luduverio Pizauro ; Marita Vedovelli Cardozo ; Mattia Pirolo ; Paola Castro Moraes
• Associated scholarship(s): 23/17550-5 - TECHNICAL TRAINING IN PHENOTTPIC AND GENOTYPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF METHICILLIN-RESISTANT Staphylococcus pseudintermedius STRAINS, BP.TT

Abstract

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is a commensal and a common opportunistic pathogen in dogs. The emergence of methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP) strains poses a significant challenge as standard veterinary antimicrobial treatments may be ineffective against infections caused by these strains. Despite its high prevalence in Brazil (12.1-24.5%), the epidemiology of MRSP remains largely unexplored. We propose prospective multicentre study aimed at providing the first comprehensive characterization of MRSP strains isolated from clinical infections in dogs across different regions of Brazil. A total of 100 confirmed MRSP strains from 10 laboratories will be prospectively collected and shipped to Jaboticabal-SP for analysis. Through PCR testing, we will confirm species identification and methicillin resistance, followed by antimicrobial susceptibility testing against a panel of relevant veterinary antimicrobials. Additionally, selected strains will undergo whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to determine sequence types (ST) and Staphylococcal cassette mec (SCCmec) types. Genomic data will be also integrated into a global collection of MRSP strains to establish epidemiological connections between Brazilian and worldwide strains. By undertaking this project, our aim is to contribute valuable epidemiological data on the prevalence and characteristics of MRSP strains in veterinary clinics and hospitals in Brazil, while also comparing them with a global collection of MRSP strains. (AU)