@article{3490, keywords = {Streptococcus, zoonosis, companion animals, M protein}, author = {G Verkühlen and D Pägelow and P Valentin-Weigand and M Fulde}, title = {SCM-positive Streptococcus canis are predominant among pet-associated group G streptococci}, abstract = {Streptococcus (S.) canis is a neglected zoonotic pathogen with increasing importance. Since knowledge about its distribution in pets in Germany is scant, we designed a study and tested 335 dogs and 71 cats for colonization by S. canis. S. canis was isolated from swabs taken from the perianal region by culture and subsequent identification was performed biochemically as well as by PCR. In total, 15.8% (53) of the canine and 8.5% (six) of the feline strains grown on Staphlyococcus/Streptococcus Selective Agar were tested positive for the Lancefield group G antigen. The vast majority of strains expressing the Lancefield Group G carbohydrate (56 out of 59) were further identified as S. canis underlining their outstanding role among animal-associated Group G streptococci (GGS). Furthermore, 90.0% of the canine and 83.3% of the feline S. canis strains harbour the species-specific antiphagocytic M protein homologue SCM, which has been described as an important virulence factor. In contrast, emm-genes typically encoded by human-specific GGS could not be detected in any of the S. canis isolates. Taken together, this study provides insights into the distribution of the neglected zoonotic pathogen S. canis in a population of pets in Germany. The presence of SCM in the vast majority of strains indicates their pathogenic potential.}, year = {2016}, journal = {Berliner und Münchener Tierärztliche Wochenschrift}, volume = {129}, edition = {5/6}, pages = {247-250}, month = {05/2016}, publisher = {Schlütersche Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG}, address = {Hannover}, issn = {0005-9366}, doi = {10.2376/0005-9366-129-15060}, language = {English}, }