PREVALENCE OF PATHOGENIC STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS INFECTION IN DOGS IN VINH LONG PROVINCE

Abstract

The profound bond between humans and pets is increasingly significant in modern social life, bringing special attention to community health and urban ecology. From the perspective of epidemiological safety, the research topic "A survey on the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus infection in dogs in Vinh Long Province" was conducted at Binh Minh Veterinary Clinic, Thanh Tuyen Veterinary Clinic, Pet Cung Veterinary Clinic, and the Veterinary infirmary of Cuu Long University by bacterial isolation method. To provide an empirical database closely aligned with local realities, the study was carried out from September 2024 to June 2025 with a total of 82 samples collected. The survey process revealed a noteworthy situation regarding the living environment of pets, as the results showed that among 82 samples collected from dogs, 43 samples were positive for Staphylococcus aureus, accounting for a prevalence of 52.4%. Deconstructing these medical indicators helps health managers and residents gain a more thorough understanding of infection risks: The infection rate of Staphylococcus aureus in dermatitic exudate samples was 24.3%, followed by uterine discharge samples at 7.3%, abscess fluid at 6.1%, pus samples at 2.4%, and surgical wound exudate at 3.7%. In addition, biological characteristics were also integrated into the analytical framework: The detection rate of S. aureus-infected samples by gender showed 25% prevalence in male dogs and 70% in female dogs; the detection rates according to breed were 52.2% for foreign breeds and 52.8% for local breeds. The detection rate of S. aureus in dogs ranging from 1 month old to over 5 years old varied from 44.4% to 58.8%. Notably, clearly reflecting the impact of human-created living spaces, the prevalence of S. aureus according to housing conditions was 33.3% for confined housing, lower than in free-range and mixed housing conditions at 65.3% (P<0.01).