Prevalence, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Virulence Potential of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> in Donkeys from Nigeria
Background: Animal-associated antimicrobial-resistant staphylococci pose a One Health concern, as they can spread into the environment and cause serious infections. Yet, donkeys in Nigeria have been largely overlooked as potential reservoirs of these pathogens. Aim/Objectives: To isolate <i>St...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Antibiotics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/14/5/453 |
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| Summary: | Background: Animal-associated antimicrobial-resistant staphylococci pose a One Health concern, as they can spread into the environment and cause serious infections. Yet, donkeys in Nigeria have been largely overlooked as potential reservoirs of these pathogens. Aim/Objectives: To isolate <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> from donkeys in Obollo-Afor, southeast Nigeria, assess their antimicrobial resistance profiles, and evaluate their virulence potential. Materials and Methods: Staphylococci were isolated from the nasal swabs of 250 donkeys, using mannitol salt agar, confirmed biochemically, with <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> identified via a latex agglutination test and mass spectrometry. The resistance profiles of the isolates, including in regard to methicillin, inducible clindamycin, and β-lactamase production, were determined using disc diffusion, while vancomycin resistance was assessed through the use of agar dilution. The virulence factors were evaluated phenotypically. Results: Of the 250 samples, 11 (4.4%) contained <i>S</i>. <i>aureus</i> and 239 (95.6%) grew other <i>Staphylococcus</i> species. The resistance rates of the 11 <i>S</i>. <i>aureus</i> isolates to gentamicin, penicillin, tigecycline, cefoxitin, linezolid, and chloramphenicol were 45.5%, 66.7%, 54.5%, 27.3%, 36.4%, and 18.1%, respectively. The phenotypic methicillin-resistant <i>S</i>. <i>aureus</i> prevalence was 1.2%. Additionally, 23.5% of the <i>S</i>. <i>aureus</i> isolates were multidrug resistant, with a mean antibiotic resistance index of 0.25. All the <i>S</i>. <i>aureus</i> isolates exhibited virulence factors like clumping factor expression, catalase, caseinase, lecithinase, and gelatinase activity, while the occurrence of haemagglutinin, biofilm, pellicle, and hemolysin occurred in 27.3%, 54.5%, 36.4%, 72.2%, respectively. Conclusion: Although a small percentage of donkeys in Nigeria may harbor <i>S</i>. <i>aureus</i>, these animals are potentially spreading antimicrobial resistance, including multidrug and methicillin resistance, to humans and the environment. |
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| ISSN: | 2079-6382 |