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Prevalence of methicillin‐resistant S taphylococcus spp. in the conjunctival sac of healthy dogs
Author(s) -
Mouney Meredith C.,
Stiles Jean,
Townsend Wendy M.,
Guptill Lynn,
Weese J. Scott
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
veterinary ophthalmology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.594
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1463-5224
pISSN - 1463-5216
DOI - 10.1111/vop.12130
Subject(s) - colonization , staphylococcus pseudintermedius , rectum , medicine , staphylococcus , veterinary medicine , anterior nares , nose , staphylococcus aureus , methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus , biology , surgery , microbiology and biotechnology , bacteria , genetics
Objectives To determine the prevalence of selected coagulase‐positive methicillin‐resistant S taphylococcus aureus ( MRS ) in the conjunctival sac in a group of healthy dogs and to compare the prevalence of ocular MRS colonization with colonization of typically assessed body sites including the nasal cavity and rectum. Animals studied 123 healthy dogs were used in the prevalence study: 40 dogs from a shelter and 83 privately owned dogs. Procedures The sampling procedure included culturing three separate sites per subject in the following order: the lower conjunctival fornices, the nares, and rectum. Results A low prevalence of 1.6% (2/123) of MRS was detected in healthy dogs. Methicillin‐resistant S taphylococcus pseudintermedius was isolated from two dogs, one from a conjunctival swab and the other from a rectal swab. Conclusion The survey data indicate the ocular surface is a potential site of MRS colonization, although the prevalence was low in healthy dogs.