| This thesis is an investigation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections and the microbiological characterization of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius infections in dogs and cats.;A retrospective case-control study was conducted to compare clinical presentations, infection types, clinical outcomes, and determine risk factors associated with MRSA, compared to methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) infections. The administrations of antimicrobials, specifically fluoroquinolones, within 90 days prior to admission, were significant risk factors for the development of MRSA infections.;In a second investigation, 85.7% of phenotypically identified S. intermedius isolates were molecularly identified as S. pseudintermedius. No isolates were molecularly identified as S. intermedius. A prevalence of 17.7% and 61.5%, for the mecA and S. intermedius exfoliative toxin genes, respectively, were observed in S. pseudintermedius isolates.;In a third investigation, inducible clindamycin-resistance was detected in 16.7% of MRSA and 0% of S. pseudintermedius isolates. The prevalence of erm(A), erm(B), and erm(C) genes were investigated in all isolates. |
