Detection of the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus gene encoding mecA in nasal swabs of cats in Surabaya, Indonesia

Background: The most susceptible group of people to spread methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among domestic cats is their owners’ relatives. Aim: Considering the aforementioned, research at the Surabaya City Animal Hospital is necessary to determine whether the mecA gene may be detected in cat nasal swabs. Methods: Samples were taken using a sterile cotton swab, and the transport medium was buffered peptone water. Standard operating procedures in microbiology were then employed to identify the samples. Using five distinct antibiotic discs, the Kirby-Bauer diffusion method was used to determine the antibiotic resistance profile of S. aureus. All cefoxitin-resistant S. aureus isolates were tested for MRSA and then the mecA gene was detected. Results: Based on morphological culture features, Gram staining, and biochemical assays, 64 samples (64%) of the 100 isolated cat nose swab samples were positive for S. aureus, according to the results of the biochemical tests. The profile of antibiotic resistance developed from the results of the S. aureus resistance test to antibiotics revealed that five (7.81%) of the 64 S. aureus isolates were confirmed to be multidrug resistant. Out of the 6 MRSA isolates analyzed, the mecA gene was detected in 5 isolates. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, a thorough assessment of the impact of using antibiotics to prevent the spread of MRSA in veterinary hospitals on the general public’s health is required in light of the detection of MRSA isolates bearing the mecA gene in the Surabaya veterinary hospital.