Clindamycin resistance in canine superficial pyoderma caused by Staphylococcus pseudintermedius; a retrospective five-year analysis

Abstract

Background Superficial pyoderma caused by Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is a common skin disease in dogs. In the Netherlands the first-choice antibiotic for this affliction is clindamycin. The clindamycin resistance in S. pseudintermedius in the Netherlands is undetermined currently

Hypothesis/objectives To assess the situation in the Netherlands regarding the resistance against the first-choice antibiotic for superficial pyoderma caused by S. pseudintermedius in dogs.

Animals 237 dogs of a variety of breeds were included in this study. They were all referred to the dermatology department of the Utrecht University Clinic for Companion Animals and had clinical signs compatible with and a positive cytology and bacterial culture result proving a superficial pyoderma caused by S. pseudintermedius or Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Pseudintermedius in a moderate to high count.

Methods A retrospective analysis regarding the incidence of clindamycin resistance was performed for the antibiograms submitted to the Veterinary Microbiology Diagnostic Center (VMDC) by members of the dermatology department of the UUCCA in the period January 1st, 2014 to December 31st, 2015. The patient history was analyzed for the previous year regarding use of antibiotics.

Results 33,5% of the S. pseudintermedius isolates in this study were clindamycin resistant. Dogs with clindamycin resistant strain had used antibiotics in the last year more often (82,2%) than dogs with a clindamycin susceptible strain (66,9%).

Conclusions and clinical importance Given the high incidence of clindamycin resistance in a university hospital population it might be an idea to reconsider the use of clindamycin as a first-choice antibiotic. Instead either a topical therapy with chlorhexidine should be encouraged or first start with a bacterial culture and susceptibility test before an antibiotic treatment is started.