| Summary: | Sampling animals for carriage of meticillin-resistant, coagulase-positive staphylococci (MRCoPS), considered zoonotic pathogens, can be challenging and time-consuming. Developing methods to identify <i>mecA</i> from non-invasive samples, e.g., faeces, would benefit AMR surveillance and management of MRS carrier animals. This study aimed to distinguish MRS carriers from non-carriers from faecal samples using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for <i>mecA</i>. Paired faecal and nasal swab samples (n = 86) were obtained from 13 dogs and 20 humans as part of a longitudinal study. Nasal MRCoPS carriage (either MR-<i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> or MR-<i>Staphylococcus pseudintermedius</i> was confirmed by identification of species (<i>nuc</i>) and meticillin resistance (<i>mecA</i>) (PCR). Faecal DNA (n = 69) was extracted and a qPCR method was optimised to provide a robust detection method. The presence of faecal <i>mecA</i> was compared between MRS carriers and non-carriers (Kruskal–Wallis test). Nasal swabbing identified seven canine and four human MRCoPS carriers. <i>mecA</i> was detected in 13/69 faecal samples, including four MRCoPS carriers and nine non-carriers. For dogs, there was no significant association (<i>p</i> = 1.000) between carrier status and <i>mecA</i> detection; for humans, <i>mecA</i> was more commonly detected in MRCoPS carriers (<i>p</i> = 0.047). <i>mecA</i> was detected in faeces of MRCoPS carriers and non-carriers by qPCR, but larger sample sizes are required to determine assay sensitivity. This rapid method enables passive surveillance of <i>mecA</i> in individuals and the environment.
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