Characterization of Mammalicoccus sciuri and Mannitol-Fermenting Staphylococci other than S. Aureus from Food-Animals in Federal Capital Territory Nigeria

Abstract

Mammalicoccus and Staphylococcus species are Gram positive bacteria found on the skin and mucous membranes of some mammals. This study was undertaken to identify, determine the specie distribution and antimicrobial profile of mannitol-fermenting non- S. aureus species from food animals in the Federal Capital Territory Nigeria. Forty-seven isolates from chickens (n = 15), sheep (n = 18) and goats (n = 14) were screened using Staph Latex Kit (Labmann, UK) and identified using the Analytical Profile Index Kit. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was performed using disk diffusion, and E-test methods. Mammalicoccus sciuri, Staphylococcus intermedius and Staphylococcus xylosus were the three species identified. Mammalicoccus sciuri was found to be the most predominant specie with 79 % (n = 37) prevalence, followed by Staphylococcus intermedius with 15 % (n = 7), while S. xylosus was the least common with 4.25 % prevalence. The AST results showed high susceptibility of isolates to most of the antimicrobial agents tested, but were however resistant to trimethoprim (48.93%), tetracycline (15%), erythromycin (9) and amikacin (4%). Ten-percent of the isolates exhibited multi-drug resistance. This study documents high occurrence of Mammalicoccus sciuri in small ruminants and chickens. Periodic AST should be done to ascertain the level of antimicrobial use in food-animals, and for effective monitory and reports of AMR in animals.