Emergence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in Switzerland: three cases of urinary tract infections in cats

Methicillin resistance has emerged in clinical isolates of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius from cats in Switzerland. Three cats suffering from urinary tract infections were infected with methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP). Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of the resistance profile showed that the isolates displayed resistance to all beta-lactams and cephalosporins (blaZ, mecA), fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines tet(K)], macrolides, lincosamides and streprogramins B erm(B)], chloramphenicol (catpC221), trimethoprim dfr(G)] and the aminoglycosides gentamicin aac(6')-Ie-aph(2')-Ia], kanamycin and neomycin aph(3')-III] and streptomycin ant(6)-Ia]. They also harbor the leukocidin gene lukS-I. MRSP represents a new challenge for antibiotic therapy and this zoonotic bacteria may rapidly spread to animals and humans.