It is impossible for many to pass by their cat or dog without kissing, caressing or hugging them…but be careful, an Anglo-Portuguese study presented during a conferenceEuropean Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (Ischmid) Which will be held in Barcelona from 27 to 30 April 2024, ensures that pets play an important role in the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Pets: Some carry resistant germs
To better understand how antibiotic-resistant germs are transmitted, British and Portuguese researchers followed 5 cats, 38 dogs and 78 people from 43 households in Portugal and 22 dogs and 56 people from 22 households living in the United Kingdom. The team collected stool, urine and skin samples from both two- and four-legged participants.
In particular, scientists looked for the presence of Enterobacteriaceae (a large family of bacteria that includes Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae), pathogens known to be particularly resistant to common antibiotics. They focused on those resistant to third-generation cephalosporins (which are used to treat a wide range of diseases, including meningitis, pneumonia and sepsis) and carbapenems (which form part of the last line of defense when other antibiotics fail).
Analysis revealed that in Portugal, a dog was infected with a strain of Escherichia coli bacteria that produces OXA-181. This is an enzyme that confers resistance to carbapenems. Three cats, 21 dogs, and 28 owners harbored enteric bacteria. These pathogens are resistant to third-generation cephalosporins.
In five families, the animals and their owners carried bacteria that produce ESBL enzymes – AmpC, which are also known to be resistant to antibiotics. Genetic analysis showed that the strains were identical, indicating that the bacteria were transmitted between the animal and its owner. In one of these households, a dog and owner also had the same antibiotic-resistant strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae.
Similar data was found in British homes. ESBL-AmpC-producing intestinal bacteria were found in samples from eight dogs and three owners in two households, and the pet and its owner carried the same bacteria.
Although the data has not definitively proven the direction of transmission, the information obtained during positive tests strongly suggests that the monster was the original vector.
“In this study, we provide evidence that bacteria resistant to third-generation cephalosporins, which are critical antibiotics, are transmitted from pets to their owners.”“, explains Juliana Menezes from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Lisbon in A I reported.
Understanding transmission to combat antibiotic resistance
“Our findings highlight the importance of including pet owners in national programs that monitor levels of antibiotic resistance.”Juliana Menezes adds.
According to the World Health Organization, infections associated with antibiotic-resistant bacteria kill more than 1.2 million people annually worldwide. Moreover, without measurement, the number may reach 10 million by 2050. Therefore, a better understanding of the transmission of resistant bacteria from pets to humans is essential to analyze how resistant bacteria are transmitted from pets to humans. “Effective control of antimicrobial resistance” And “Develop informed and targeted interventions to protect animal and human health”as the authors point out.
wait for, “Owners can reduce the spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria by practicing good hygiene, including washing their hands after collecting waste from their dog or cat, and even after petting them.”“, recalls the researcher.
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