New Study Warns of Possible Cross-Infection of Dangerous Infections Between Pets, Owners

New research warns that healthy cats and dogs may spread harmful multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) to recently hospitalized owners.

Moreover, humans may transmit these pathogens to their pets. The authors of the study stress, however, that the danger of cross-infection remains minimal.

According to The Guardian, the research led by Dr. Carolin Hackmann of the Charité Hospital in Berlin evaluated almost 2,800 hospitalized patients and their dogs. The objective was to determine if cats and dogs contribute to the spread of MDROs, microorganisms resistant to many antibiotics.

Genetic sequencing is carried out to identify the bacterial species and drug-resistant genes from swabs obtained from hospitalized patients and their pets.

30% of hospitalized patients tested positive for MDROs; 11% of these patients had dogs as pets, and 9% had cats.

Almost 300 pet owners provided swab samples from their pets in response to a request for such samples. 15% of dogs and 5% of cats tested positive for at least one MDRO in these samples.

In four instances, pets and their owners shared the same bacterial species and antibiotic resistance. Meanwhile, sequencing a dog's and its owner's whole genomes proved that only one pair of bacteria was genetically identical.

Dr. Hackmann explains that the risk of cross-contamination between hospitalized patients and their cats and dogs remains low. Nonetheless, carriers can shed bacteria into the environment for months, exposing susceptible persons such as infants, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems to infection.

The expert says that pet owners should exercise and maintain good hygiene to limit the chance of transmission, such as washing their hands after handling their pets and before eating.

Similar Studies

The antibiotic resistance of E. coli bacteria in pet and stray dogs in La Plata, Argentina, was examined in 2021 research.

The researchers gathered stool samples from 50 dogs with owners and 50 stray dogs, testing the samples on antibiotic-containing and antibiotic-free plates.

They discovered that samples from stray dogs included more antibiotic-resistant strains than those from dogs with owners. Concerningly, they found that several of these strains were resistant to multiple antibiotics.

The study implies that close interaction between humans and dogs can spread antibiotic-resistant pathogens, a significant public health risk.

The Threat of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

The World Health Organization advises that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant threat to global public health.

WHO explains that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) arises when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites acquire resistance to antimicrobial treatments, rendering them ineffective in treating illnesses.

According to the WHO, the emergence of AMR has made treating infections increasingly challenging and poses a substantial danger to disease control and prevention. Bacterial infections claimed around 1.27 million lives globally in 2019 owing to drug resistance.

One of the primary causes of AMR is the overuse and abuse of antimicrobial drugs, which are often supplied needlessly. Furthermore, a lack of funding for developing new antimicrobial drugs has exacerbated the situation.

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