Prevalence and antibiotic resistance profile of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in pyodermic dogs in Asia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is the primary bacterial agent associated with canine pyoderma, with rising concern over methicillin-resistant strains in Asia. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the prevalence of methicillin-susceptible (MSSP) and methicillin-resistant (MRSP) S. pseudintermedius from canine skin infections and to evaluate their antimicrobial resistance profiles. Following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis) guidelines, studies published between 2015 and 2024 were retrieved from Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google. Only cross-sectional studies from Asian countries reporting disk diffusion susceptibility testing in dogs with pyoderma were included. Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria, with overall moderate methodological quality. Fourteen studies were included in prevalence analyses. The pooled prevalence of MSSP was 27.9% (95% CI: 18.8–39.3) and MRSP was 30.7% (95% CI: 21.3–42.1), with high heterogeneity between the included studies (I² = 93.85%; p < 0.001). The pooled prevalence of the mecA gene among MRSP was 11.9%. Meta-regression revealed no significant difference between MSSP and MRSP prevalence (p = 0.853). MSSP isolates had the lowest resistance to amoxicillin–clavulanic acid and oxacillin, whereas MRSP exhibited broader resistance, particularly to oxacillin, clindamycin, and doxycycline. These findings highlight the substantial burden of MRSP in canine pyoderma in Asia and reinforce the need for susceptibility-guided therapy and strengthened antimicrobial stewardship. © The Author(s) 2026.