Abstract
Background:
Methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS) are an emerging global problem with serious public health concerns.
Aims:
This study investigated the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of commensal staphylococci species isolated from healthy and diseases cats and dogs.
Methods:
Nasal swab samples were collected from animals and processed using selective and semi-selective mediums. Presumptive isolates were subjected to biochemical testing and analysed using the Phoenix automated identification and susceptibility testing system. PCRs protocols were used to screen for mecA and pvl genes.
Results:
In total, 151 pets (103 cats, 48 dogs) were enrolled of which 14 dogs (29%) and 24 cats (23%) were colonized with various Staphylococcus species mainly originated from healthy animals. A total of 38 staphylococci isolates were collected distributed between 24 coagulase-negative and 14 coagulase-positive staphylococci. Only 13 staphylococci strains were identified to express the MRS phenotype by the Phoenix automated system of which only five isolates expressed the mecA gene exclusively originated from healthy pets.
Conclusion:
This is the first study reporting the prevalence and colonization status of staphylococci species and MRS strains isolated from cats and dogs in Libya. The study report important information of medical and clinical importance on antimicrobial and multidrug resistance of different staphylococci strains particularly the coagulase negative species.

Key words: Pet animals, Staphylococcus, Coagulase negative staphylococci, mecA gene, Libya