Increasing emergence of staphylococci resistant to pleuromutilins,
lincosamides, and streptogramin A (PLSA) and isolated from humans and pets is
a growing public health concern worldwide. Currently, there was only one
published study regarding one of the PLSA genes, vga(A) detected in
staphylococci isolated from cat. In this study, eleven pleuromutilin-resistant
staphylococci from pets and two from their owners were isolated and further
characterized for their antimicrobial susceptibilities, plasmid profiles,
genotypes, and genetic context of the PLSA resistance genes. The gene sal(A)
identified in 11 staphylococcal isolates was found for the first time in
Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Staphylococcus
xylosus. Moreover, these 11 isolates shared the identical regions flanking the
sal(A) gene located in the chromosomal DNA. Two S. haemolyticus isolates from
a cat and its owner carried similar vga(A)LC plasmids and displayed
indistinguishable PFGE patterns. A novel chromosomal multidrug resistance
genomic island (MDRGI) containing 13 resistance genes, including lsa(E), was
firstly identified in S. epidermidis. In addition, vga(A)LC, sal(A), and
lsa(E) were for the first time identified in staphylococcal isolates
originating from pet animals. The plasmids, chromosomal DNA region, and MDRGI
associated with the PLSA resistance genes vga(A), vga(A)LC, sal(A), and lsa(E)
are present in staphylococci isolated from pets and humans and present
significant challenges for the clinical management of infections by limiting
therapeutic options