Characterization of Mammaliicoccus sciuri and Mannitol-Fermenting Staphylococci from Small Ruminants and Chickens in the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

Mammalicoccus and Staphylococcus species are Gram-positive bacteria found on the skin and mucous membranes of some mammals. This study aimed to identify, determine the species distribution, and assess the antimicrobial profile of mannitol-fermenting non- S. aureus species from chickens, sheep, and goats in the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. Forty-seven isolates from chickens (n = 15), sheep (n = 18), and goats (n = 14) were screened using the Staph Latex Kit (Labmann, UK) and identified using the Analytical Profile Index Kit. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was performed using disk diffusion and E-test methods. Mammalicoccus sciuri, Staphylococcus intermedius, and Staphylococcus xylosus were the three species identified. Mammaliccoccus sciuri was found to be the most predominant species with 79% (n=37) prevalence, followed by Staphylococcus intermedius with 15% (n = 7), while S. xylosus was the least common with 4.25% prevalence. The AST results showed complete sensitivity of all isolates (100 %) to cefoxitin, penicillin, gentamicin, kanamycin, rifampicin, spectinomycin, and ciprofloxacin. Isolates were, however, resistant to trimethoprim (48.93%), tetracycline (15%), erythromycin (9%), and amikacin (4%). Ten percent of the isolates exhibited multidrug resistance. This study documents a high occurrence of Mammalicoccus sciuri in small ruminants and chickens. Periodic AST should be conducted to determine the level of antimicrobial use in food animals and to facilitate effective monitoring and reporting of AMR in animals.