Whole genome sequencing of Staphyloccocus aureus strains isolated in four horses in a veterinary teaching hospital

We report the characterization of 2 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains isolated from 2 horses hospitalized in an overlapping period, and 2 methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) isolated from 2 distinct horses. We compared the genotypic and phenotypic characteristics of the antibacterial resistance of these strains. We also traced their phylogenetic proximity, and compared them to the Canadian epidemic MRSA-5 (CMRSA-5) isolated from horses in Canada.