Isolation of Staphylococcus Simulans from Dermatitis in a Captive African Pygmy Hedgehog

The study reported the isolation of Staphylococcus simulans, a coagulase-negative staphylococcal species, from a case of dermatitis in a captive African pygmy hedgehog. The hedgehog exhibited symptoms of dermatosis, including hyperkeratosis and alopecia on its back. Microscopic examination of exudates from the lesion showed numerous gram-positive cocci and leukocytes. The bacterium was identified as S. simulans through polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. This was the first report suggesting that S. simulans could be associated with dermatitis in hedgehogs.