Occurrence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in pets and their owners in rural and urban communities in Trinidad

Naomi Scott; Christopher Seeraj; Brandon Satram; Natalie Michelle Sandy; Keenan Seuradge; Brittany Seerattan; Ishta Seeram; Alva Stewart-Johnson; Abiodun Adesiyun

doi:10.3855/jidc.13597

Occurrence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in pets and their owners in rural and urban communities in Trinidad

Authors

Naomi Scott School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Christopher Seeraj School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Brandon Satram School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Natalie Michelle Sandy School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Keenan Seuradge School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Brittany Seerattan School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Ishta Seeram School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Alva Stewart-Johnson School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
Abiodun Adesiyun School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.13597

Keywords:

MRSA, owners, pets, rural, Trinidad, urban

Abstract

Introduction: The occurrence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in pets and their owners has increased due to the misuse and abuse of antibiotics. This study compared the prevalence of MRSA and Staphylococcus aureus strains in pets and their owners in urban and rural communities in Trinidad.

Methodology: Questionnaires were administered to gather demographic and risk factor data for MRSA for human participants, and their pets. Nasal swabs were obtained from 100 pets (dogs and cats) and their human owners. For the isolation of MRSA, nasal swabs obtained were enriched and then plated on selective media. Staphylococcus aureus was identified using standard biochemical procedures. The resistance of S. aureus initially assessed detection of MRSA isolates to cefoxitin and confirmed by the PBP2a latex agglutination test. Antibiotic resistance was determined using the disc diffusion method.

Results: The prevalence of MRSA was 6.0% (3/50) and 2.0% (1/50) in household pet animals and their owners, respectively in urban communities, while in rural communities, the prevalence was 6.0% (3/50) and 12.0% (6/50) respectively. The prevalence of S. aureus in pet owners was higher in the rural community (44.0%) compared to urban (30.0%). However, in pet animals, S. aureus was more frequently isolated from urban communities (78.0%) than rural ones (66.0%). Amongst the S. aureus isolates, 81.7% were resistant to one or more antimicrobial agents.

Conclusions: This study has demonstrated that living in a rural community increased the odds of MRSA colonization.

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Published

2022-09-30

How to Cite

Scott N, Seeraj C, Satram B, Sandy NM, Seuradge K, Seerattan B, Seeram I, Stewart-Johnson A, Adesiyun A (2022) Occurrence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in pets and their owners in rural and urban communities in Trinidad. J Infect Dev Ctries 16:1458–1465. doi: 10.3855/jidc.13597

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Issue

Vol. 16 No. 09: September 2022

Section

Original Articles

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