Characterization of Staphylococcus equorum and Staphylococcus succinus Nasal Swab Isolates

Abstract

Staphylococcus equorum and Staphylococcus succinus are bacterial species commonly associated with animals (3,8) and certain food products (5,6,9). Only rarely are incidents of human infection due to these species reported and there are no reports of these species being a component of normal human flora (7). During the summer of 2010, nasal swabs were taken from 183 staff and patients at a hospital in Loja, Ecuador to determine MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) prevalence. MALDI-TOF analysis of isolates from five individuals revealed the presence of either S. succinus or S. equorum. Confirmation of the MALDI-TOF identification for these isolates was performed by analyzing XapI restriction fragment length polymorphisms of the dnaJ gene (2). The growth of the isolates were characterized to determine pH range, halotolerance, and sugar fermentation. In addition, MICs were performed on each isolate.