Characterization of the most frequently encountered Staphylococcus sp. in cats.

Ninety three staphylococci isolated from clinical specimens from cats were characterized and identified. Because the biochemical characteristics of Staphylococcus felis were very similar to those of Staphylococcus simulans, results were submitted to numerical analysis and DNA homology. Forty-two isolates (45%) were identified as S. felis, and 4 isolates (4%) as S. simulans. The other species identified, in order of their frequency were, 12 Staphylococcus aureus (13%), 9 Staphylococcus intermedius (10), 6 Staphylococcus sciuri (6), 6 Staphylococcus epidermidis (6), 2 Staphylococcus haemolyticus (2), 2 Staphylococcus xylosus (2), 1 Staphylococcus capitis (1), 1 Staphylococcus equorum (1), 1 Staphylococcus gallinarum (1) and 1 Staphylococcus lentus (1).