Prevalence and Genetic Diversity of Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus in Food Products Collected from Riyadh Region

Molecular Technique ◽

Mannitol Salt Agar ◽

White Cheese ◽

Vitek 2 ◽

Camel Meat

The goal of this study was to isolate, count, and identify coagulase-negative Staphylococci from meat and dairy products collected in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as well as to perform molecular identification of the mecA gene. In addition, the prevalence of these bacteria among the examined food products was determined. Ninety samples of both meat and dairy products were collected and examined between February 2018 and August 2019. Mannitol salt agar and VITEK 2 system were carried out and VITEK 2 system was used to identify all bacterial isolates. Also, the molecular technique was used to detect the target gene of mecA among CoNS. The proportion of samples in which Staphylococcus species isolated is 13.33% (Camel meat), 6.66% (Beef mortadella), 6.66% (Turkish labneh), 33.33% (Cows cheese), 6.66% (Goat labneh), 13.33% (Nabulsy cheese), 13.33% (Haloumi goat cheese) and 6.66% (Akawy white cheese). Counts of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species (as cfu/gm) of sample were around 11×104, 10×104, 9×104, 12×104, 4×105, 11×104 (Nabulsy cheese), 14×104 and 12×104, respectively. The Prevalence of species in both products was 3.30% (Staphylococcus vitulinus), 53.30% (Staphylococcus saprophyticus), 16.66% (Staphylococcus hominis), 6.66%, (Staphylococcus equorum and Staphylococcus lentus) and 13.33% (Staphylococcus sciuri). Furthermore, results showed methicillin specific mecA gene was harbored in 40 % of the CoNS.

Potential spread of multidrug-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci through healthcare waste

The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries ◽

10.3855/jidc.4563 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 9 (01) ◽

pp. 029-034 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Thiago César Nascimento ◽

Vânia Lúcia Da Silva ◽

Alessandra Barbosa Ferreira-Machado ◽

Cláudio Galuppo Diniz

Keyword(s):

Meca Gene ◽

Multidrug Resistant ◽

Resistant Bacteria ◽

Dilution Method ◽

Agar Dilution Method ◽

Healthcare Waste ◽

Sanitary Landfills ◽

Rdna Sequencing

Introduction: Healthcare waste (HCW) might potentially harbor infective viable microorganisms in sanitary landfills. We investigated the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and the occurrence of the mecA gene in coagulase-negative Staphylococcus strains (CoNS) recovered from the leachate of the HCW in an untreated sanitary landfill. Methodology: Bacterial identification was performed by physiological and molecular approaches, and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of antimicrobial drugs were determined by the agar dilution method according to CLSI guidelines. All oxacillin-resistant bacteria were screened for the mecA gene. Results: Out of 73 CoNS, seven different species were identified by 16S rDNA sequencing: Staphylococcus felis (64.4%; n = 47), Staphylococcus sciuri (26.0%; n = 19), Staphylococcus epidermidis (2.7%; n = 2), Staphylococcus warneri (2.7%; n = 2), Staphylococcus lentus (1.4%; n = 1), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (1.4%; n = 1), and Staphylococcus haemolyticus (1.4%; n = 1). Penicillin was the least effective antimicrobial (60.3% of resistance; n = 44) followed by erythromycin (39.8%; n = 29), azithromycin (28.8%; n = 21), and oxacillin (16.5%; n = 12). The most effective drug was vancomycin, for which no resistance was observed, followed by gentamicin and levofloxacin, for which only intermediate resistance was observed (22%, n = 16 and 1.4%, n = 1, respectively). Among the oxacillin-resistant strains, the mecA gene was detected in two isolates. Conclusions: Considering the high antimicrobial resistance observed, our results raise concerns about the survival of putative bacterial pathogens carrying important resistance markers in HCW and their environmental spread through untreated residues discharged in sanitary landfills.

Methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci in healthy dogs

Veterinární Medicína ◽

10.17221/96/2015-vetmed ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 62 (No. 9) ◽

pp. 479-487 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

J. Siugzdaite ◽

A. Gabinaitiene

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Resistance ◽

Methicillin Resistance ◽

Meca Gene ◽

Diffusion Method ◽

Phenotypic Properties ◽

Methicillin Resistant ◽

Healthy Dogs ◽

Resistance Rates

The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of coagulase-negative staphylococci in healthy dogs and to determine whether methicillin-resistant staphylococci expressed the mecA gene. Nasal and rectal swab samples were taken from 50 clinically healthy dogs. The prevalence of coagulase-negative staphylococci was evaluated according to phenotypic properties. The agar diffusion method was applied to evaluate antimicrobial resistance and the prevalence of methicillin resistance was determined using PCR analysing the mecA gene. A total of 59 coagulase-negative staphylococcus strains were isolated from the nostrils and rectums of 37 (74%) clinically healthy dogs. The prevalence of coagulase-negative staphylococci in female dogs was significantly higher compared with male dogs (P < 0.05). The results of antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed that 6.7% of the strains were resistant to oxacillin, 23.7% were resistant to penicillin, 22% to ampicillin and 16.9% to erythromycin. The mecA PCR revealed one oxacillin-sensitive and four oxacillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci strains to be mecA carriers. Staphylococcus sciuri (60%) and Staphylococcus warneri (20%) were the most prevalent species among methicillin-resistant coagulase negative staphylococci. High antimicrobial resistance rates for these bacteria were observed against penicillin (100%), ampicillin (100%), oxacillin (80%), erythromycin (80%) and gentamicin (60%). All strains were susceptible to vancomycin and enrofloxacin. It is assumed that methicillin-resistance genes evolved in coagulase-negative staphylococcus and were then horizontally transferred among staphylococci.

Antibiotic profile of Staphylococcus aureus and Coagulase negative Staphylococci species isolated from raw camel milk from Garissa County, Kenya

East African Journal of Science, Technology and Innovation ◽

10.37425/eajsti.v2i4.364 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Elly Kirwa ◽

Abong O Gabriel ◽

Timothy E. Maitho ◽

Mbindyo CM ◽

Abuom T O ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Agents ◽

Clinical Laboratory ◽

Multidrug Resistant ◽

Camel Milk ◽

Resistant Bacteria ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Mannitol Salt Agar ◽

Milk Samples

The emergence of multidrug resistant bacteria in clinically challenging situations is a global concern. Staphylococcus resistance poses a threat to available therapeutic agents in management of camel diseases. S. aureus is often isolated from mastitic camel milk. Coagulase negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) can be pathogenic in humans and animals. This cross-sectional study investigated the antimicrobial resistance phenotypes of Staphylococci species in raw camel milk from Garissa County, Kenya. A total of 231 raw camel milk samples from healthy camels were collected. Disk diffusion was used to determine antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates. Bacteria were revived in Buffered Peptone Water (BPW). Staphylococcus isolates were cultured on Mannitol Salt agar (MSA) and Blood Agar (BA). Coagulase and catalase tests were used to biochemically characterize the isolates. Antibiotic disks were placed on Mueller Hinton Agar and incubated at 37°C for 24 hours and diameters of zones inhibition measured. The readings were recorded as either susceptible, intermediate, or resistant based on the interpretative breakpoints by the veterinary Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Antimicrobial agents tested included; Ampicillin, Streptomycin, Cephalexin, Erythromycin, Ciprofloxacin, Cefoxitin, Tetracycline and Chloramphenicol. Out of the 231 raw camel milk samples cultured, 52.8% (122/231) Staphylococci isolates were recovered. Among the Staphylococci isolates 83.6% (102) were S. aureus and 16.4% (20) were CoNS. Overall, 83 (68%) isolates were catalase positive and 122 (91.7%) showed β-haemolysis on BA culture. Highest resistance was observed against Cephalexin (81.9%) and Streptomycin (72.1%) while the lowest resistance was seen against Chloramphenicol (1.6%) and Tetracycline (3.3%). MRSA and MRCoNS were reported at 9.8% and 15% of the isolates respectively. MDR was recorded in 43.4% of the isolates resistant to at least 3 or more antimicrobial groups while 39.3% isolates were resistant to 1 or 2 antimicrobial tested. In conclusion, the study showed that CoNS and S

Mannitol Fermenting Methicillin-Resistant Coagulase Negative Staphylococci Isolated From Diabetic Foot Infections

International Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences ◽

10.26452/ijrps.v11i4.3281 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 6095-6101

Author(s):

Samira Fattah Hamid ◽

Aza Bahadeen Taha

Keyword(s):

Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Diabetic Foot ◽

Methicillin Resistance ◽

Meca Gene ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Human Pathogens ◽

Mannitol Salt Agar ◽

Methicillin Resistant ◽

Diabetic Foot Infections

Detection of mannitol fermenting coagulase-negative staphylococci is frequently unnoticed when Staphylococcus aureus is screening in the laboratory. On the other hand, the emergence of coagulase-negative staphylococci as critical human pathogens need dependable methods for the identification of clinically significant coagulase-negative staphylococci to understand the epidemiology of infections caused by these bacteria. The study aimed to identify mannitol fermenting coagulase-negative staphylococci that assumed to be Staphylococcus aureus as they formed yellow colonies on Mannitol Salt agar plates. Samples were taken from eighty-four patients with diabetic foot infections. The specimen was cultured on Blood agar and Mannitol Salt agar. Mannitol fermenting coagulase-negative staphylococci isolates diagnosed through Vitek2 system then confirmed by detecting 16S rRNA gene and absence of the nuc gene. Antibiotic sensitivity and methicillin resistance were detected by Vitek2 system, then methicillin resistance was confirmed by Oxacillin Salt Agar Screen test and detection of the mecA gene. Out of 81 Staphylococcus isolated from foot and nose of diabetic foot patients, twenty isolates were mannitol fermenting coagulase-negative staphylococci, they related to following species; Staphylococcus haemolyticus, staphylococcus lentus, Staphylococcus xylosus, Staphylococcus lugdunensis, Staphylococcus hominis, Staphylococcus galinarum and Staphylococcus saprophyticus). The majority of them (85%) were phenotypically methicillin-resistant and genotypically harbouring mecA gene. 80% were resistant to Erythromycin, 70% to Clindamycin, 35% to Trimethoprim-Sulphamethoxazole, 30% to Gentamicin and Rifampicin, 15% to Levofloxacin and Teicoplanin. 30% expressed inducible clindamycin resistance.

Methicillin-Resistant Coagulase Negative Staphylococci and Their Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern from Healthy Dogs and Their Owners from Kathmandu Valley

Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease ◽

10.3390/tropicalmed6040194 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 194

Author(s):

Muna Khanal ◽

Prabhu Raj Joshi ◽

Saroj Paudel ◽

Mahesh Acharya ◽

Komal Raj Rijal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antibiotic Susceptibility ◽

Sccmec Type ◽

Meca Gene ◽

Companion Animals ◽

Biochemical Tests ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Mannitol Salt Agar ◽

Methicillin Resistant ◽

Dog Owners

This cross-sectional study was designed to identify information on the frequency, antimicrobial resistance and species diversity of methicillin-resistant coagulase negative staphylococci (MRCoNS) among pet dogs and humans within households. Fifty five nasal swabs each from dogs and their owners were collected. MRCoNS were identified based on gram staining, culture on mannitol salt agar, biochemical tests, and mecA gene amplification. The antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates was assessed by a disc diffusion test. Uniplex and multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were employed for the species identification of MRCoNS and SCCmec typing, respectively. Species were further confirmed by MALDI-TOF-MS. The prevalence of MRCoNS was 29% in dog owners and 23.6% in dogs. Four different species of MRCoNS, Staphylococci saprophyticus (48.3%), S. haemolyticus (24.1%), S. warneri (17.2%), and S. epidermidis (10.3%), were detected. Two isolates each from dog owners and dogs showed a constitutive resistance to macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B (cMLSB) resistance, eight isolates each from dogs and their owners showed a macrolide-streptogramin B (MSB) resistance, and only two isolates from dog owners revealed an inducible resistance to macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B (iMLSB) resistance. SCCmec types were SCCmec type IV (55.2%), SCCmec type V (24.1%), SCCmec III (10.3%), SCCmec II (3.4%); two isolates were non-typable. MRCoNS are prevalent and genetically diverse in companion animals and humans. Different species of MRCoNS were found in dogs and their owners.

Antimicrobial Resistance and Heat Sensitivity of Oxacillin-Resistant, mecA-Positive Staphylococcus spp. from Unpasteurized Milk

Journal of Food Protection ◽

10.4315/0362-028x-71.1.186 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 71 (1) ◽

pp. 186-190 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

ALAN M. MCKAY

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Resistance ◽

Dairy Products ◽

Meca Gene ◽

Heat Sensitivity ◽

Unpasteurized Milk ◽

Antimicrobial Resistance Genes ◽

D Values ◽

Staphylococcus Spp ◽

Milk And Dairy Products

Eight Staphylococcus spp. carrying the mecA gene were isolated from oxacillin enrichments of 70 unpasteurized milk samples. The isolates were identified as five Staphylococcus epidermidis, two Staphylococcus lentus, and one Staphylococcus haemolyticus. No mecA-positive Staphylococcus aureus were isolated. All isolates carried genes for other antibiotic resistances in addition to mecA. The results establish that mecA-carrying coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp. in unpasteurized milk have the potential to be a reservoir of other genes encoding antimicrobial resistance. Two S. epidermidis isolates with qacA/B genes were resistant to benzalkonium chloride. Decimal reduction times (D-values) for the mecA-Staphylococcus spp. at 56°C in whole milk ranged from 1.46 to 2.82 min. D-values at 56°C for nine S. aureus milk isolates ranged from 10.8 to 20.1 min. Heat treatments intended to control S. aureus may be an effective means to protect consumers of milk and dairy products. Contact with or consumption of milk and dairy products that have not been heat treated may lead to the spread of antimicrobial resistance genes in Staphylococcus spp. to animals and humans.

Coagulase-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus circulating in clinical mastitic goats in Bangladesh

Veterinary World ◽

10.14202/vetworld.2020.1303-1310 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 1303-1310

Author(s):

Eaftekhar Ahmed Rana ◽

Tridip Das ◽

Avijit Dutta ◽

Mizanur Rahman ◽

Mohammad Bayazid Bostami ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Meca Gene ◽

Diffusion Method ◽

Clinical Parameters ◽

Disk Diffusion Method ◽

Methicillin Resistant ◽

Lactating Goats ◽

Staphylococcus Spp

Background and Aim: Staphylococcus aureus is argued as one of the principal organisms responsible for mammary gland infection in lactating goats, causing both clinical and subclinical mastitis. Being highly zoonotic potential, pathogen emergence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) has a significant clinical impact on treatment and management of clinical mastitis. We conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate the prevalence of coagulase-positive S. aureus (CoPS), antimicrobial resistance profile of Staphylococcus spp., prevalence of MRSA, and association between different clinical parameters with CoPS. Materials and Methods: A total of 67 clinical mastitic goats were sampled based on clinical examination and California mastitis test. Standard bacteriological methods were performed to isolate and identify Staphylococcus spp. CoPS were confirmed by nuc gene using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). All staphylococcal isolates were further examined for antimicrobial susceptibility testing by disk diffusion method. MRSA was confirmed based on mecA gene-based PCR. Results: Here, 49 (73.13%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 61.41-82.35) samples were positive for Staphylococcus spp., of which 17 (34.69%; 95% CI, 22.88-48.73) isolates were CoPS and rest of the isolates (32; 65.30%; 95% CI, 51.27-77.12) were identified as coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp. (coagulase-negative staphylococci [CNS]). Both, CoPS and CNS isolates displayed the highest resistance against tetracycline (76.47% and 75%, respectively) and oxacillin (70.58% and 68.75%, respectively). Notably, all staphylococcal isolates were multidrug-resistant (showed resistance to ≥3 classes of antimicrobials). mecA gene was found in 6 (8.96%; 95% CI, 3.84-18.52) CoPS isolates indicating MRSA strains. Among different clinical parameters, presence of high body temperature (p<0.05), firm udder consistency (p<0.01), bloodstained milk (p<0.00), and pus in milk (p<0.00) were significantly associated with the presence of CoPS in mastitic caprine milk. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of MRSA isolated from clinical caprine mastitis cases in Bangladesh. The findings of this study would help in cautious selection as well as administration of antimicrobials for therapeutic management of mastitic goats.

Methicillin and vancomycin resistance in coagulase-negative Staphylococci isolated from the nostrils of hospitalized patients

The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries ◽

10.3855/jidc.11025 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (01) ◽

pp. 28-35

Author(s):

Mohammad Al-Tamimi ◽

Jumana Abu-Raideh ◽

Nisreen Himsawi ◽

Ashraf Khasawneh ◽

Hasan Hawamdeh

Keyword(s):

Meca Gene ◽

Vancomycin Resistance ◽

Hospitalized Patients ◽

Nasal Colonization ◽

Nasal Swabs ◽

Vitek 2 ◽

Vancomycin Resistant ◽

Antibiotics Susceptibility ◽

Microbiological Procedures

Introduction: Nasal colonization by coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS) play an important role in nosocomial infections. This study aims to determine antibiotics susceptibility pattern and molecular screening of methicillin- and vancomycin-resistant nasal CoNS among hospitalized patients. Methodology: Nasal swabs were collected from 202 inpatients at Prince Hamzah Hospital, Jordan. Swabs were processed according to standard microbiological procedures to isolate Staphylococci. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using disk diffusion, E-test, microdilution, and Vitek 2. Molecular analysis was performed using PCR for the detection of mecA, vanA, and vanB genes. Results: Nasal Staphylococci was isolated in 64/202 (31.7%) samples. Thirty isolates (14.8%) were CoNS, including S. haemolyticus (n = 17, 8.4%), S. sciuri (n = 6, 3%), S. epidermidis (n = 2, 1%), S. warneri (n = 2, 1%), S. hominis (n = 2, 1%), and S. lentus (n = 1, 0.5%). Twenty-two (10.9%) isolates were MR-CoNS harboring mecA gene. CoNS and MR-CoNS isolates were highly resistant to benzylpenicillin, erythromycin, fosfomycin, and imipenem. All isolates were sensitive to vancomycin by E-test and microdilution test and were negative for vanA and vanB genes. Nasal CoNS colonization was associated with an increased number of family members living with the participant (P = 0.04) and with admission to the orthopedic department (P = 0.03), while MR-CoNS colonization was associated with smoking (P = 0.03). Conclusions: Nasal colonization by unusual CoNS species and mecA-positive MR-CoNS are common among hospitalized patients. Absence of vanA and vanB genes suggests little contribution of nasal CoNS to vancomycin resistance transmission.

ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE, MECA GENE DETECTION, AND BIOFILM FORMATION ABILITY AMONG COAGULASE-NEGATIVE STAPHYLOCOCCI IN CANCER PATIENTS

Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research ◽

10.22159/ajpcr.2022.v15i1.43416 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 35-39

Author(s):

DILSHA TK ◽

SAJANI SAMUEL ◽

PARTHIBAN RUDRAPATHY ◽

SARAVANAN MURUGESAN ◽

SARATH KE

Keyword(s):

Antibiotic Resistance ◽

Biofilm Formation ◽

Bacterial Species ◽

Meca Gene ◽

Hospital Environment ◽

Clinical Samples ◽

Automated Identification ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Vitek 2

Objective: The objective of the study was to identify coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) from various clinical samples and to determine the antibiotic resistance of the isolates by means of automation (VITEK-2), as well as to detect biofilm formation using Congo red agar method and to detect mecA gene by automated identification method (VITEK-2). Methods: All the clinical samples (blood, urine, sputum, BAL, throat swab, wound swab, aspirated fluid, pleural fluid, and pus) received in the microbiology laboratory were processed by aseptic techniques. Clinical samples were inoculated on appropriate media (blood agar, MacConkey agar, and chocolate agar [HIMEDIA]). After inoculation, the culture plates were incubated at 37°C aerobically for 18–24 h for growth. Positive cultures were picked up and further bacterial species identification was done using automated techniques (MALDI- TOF). Results: Among 28 isolates, the most recurrent strains of CoNS are Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus hominis, Staphylococcus lugdunensis, and Staphylococcus haemolyticus. The assessment of antibacterial drugs sensitivity shows that all the isolates were more sensitive to daptomycin (S. epidermidis 100%, S. hominis 100%, S. lugdunensis 100%, and S. haemolyticus 42.85%) followed by linezolid (S. epidermidis [69.23%], S. hominis [100%], S. lugdunensis [100%], and S. haemolyticus [57.14%]) and vancomycin (S. epidermidis [100%], S. hominis [40%], S. lugdunensis [100%], S. haemolyticus [42.85%]). The analysis revealed the presence of the mecA gene (67.85%) and biofilm production (85.71%), respectively. Conclusion: Our data indicate that the hospital environment can be colonized by biofilm forming CoNS and transmission of these strains can cause an increased risk of serious nosocomial infections.

Isolation and antimicrobial resistance of coagulase-negative staphylococci recovered from healthy tortoises in Minas Gerais, Brazil

Ciência Rural ◽

10.1590/0103-8478cr20210354 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 52 (7) ◽

Author(s):

Jordana Almeida Santana ◽

Brendhal Almeida Silva ◽

Nathalia Abreu Borges Trevizani ◽

Angélica Maria Araújo e Souza ◽

Grécia Mikhaela Nunes de Lima ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Resistance ◽

Antimicrobial Susceptibility ◽

Methicillin Resistance ◽

Meca Gene ◽

Companion Animals ◽

Minas Gerais ◽

Diffusion Method ◽

Mannitol Salt Agar ◽

Antimicrobial Resistance Genes

ABSTRACT: In the last few decades, there has been a global increase in the adoption of reptiles as companion animals, mainly turtles and tortoises. Considering the popularity of reptiles as pets in Brazil, and a notable lack of data about potentially pathogenic staphylococci in these animals, this study isolated and evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility of staphylococcal species from healthy tortoises (Chelonoidis carbonaria) in Brazil. During a 12-month period (February 2019 to February 2020), cloacal swabs from 66 healthy tortoises were collected at the Wild Animals Screening Center in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The swabs were plated onto mannitol salt agar for staphylococci isolation, and species identification was performed using MALDI-TOF MS. Antimicrobial susceptibility was investigated using the disk diffusion method, and the presence of the mecA gene was investigated by PCR to detect methicillin resistance. Of the tested animals, 72.7% were positive for staphylococcal isolation. All isolates were coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), and Staphylococcus sciuri (81.3%), and S. xylosus (12.5%) were the most frequently isolated species. The majority of the isolates (56%) were resistant to at least one antimicrobial agent. A high frequency of resistance was observed for penicillin (35.5%) and tetracycline (29.1 %). All strains were susceptible to cefoxitin, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, and gentamicin. All isolates were negative for the mecA gene. The present work suggests that healthy tortoises are mainly colonized by CoNS, especially S. sciuri. Half of the isolates were resistant to at least one antimicrobial, raising questions regarding the possible role of these animals as reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance genes.