Emerging Infectious Diseases (Dec 2012)

MRSA Variant in Companion Animals

  • Birgit Walther,
  • Lothar H. Wieler,
  • Szilvia Vincze,
  • Esther-Maria Antão,
  • Anja Brandenburg,
  • Ivonne Stamm,
  • Peter A. Kopp,
  • Barbara Kohn,
  • Torsten Semmler,
  • Antina Lübke-Becker

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3201/eid1812.120238
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 18, no. 12
pp. 2017 – 2020

Abstract

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Methicillin-resistant Staphylocoocus aureus (MRSA) harboring mecALGA251 has been isolated from humans and ruminants. Database screening identified this MRSA variant in cats, dogs, and a guinea pig in Germany during 2008–2011. The novel MRSA variant is not restricted to ruminants or humans, and contact with companion animals might pose a zoonotic risk.

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