Pet Dogs and Cats Act as Carriers of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria, Study Finds
Published: April 15, 2024
By European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
New research investigates the role played by pet dogs and cats in the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, highlighting the potential risks posed by these animals in the transmission of multidrug-resistant bacteria to humans. The study, conducted in Portugal and the United Kingdom, emphasizes the urgency for enhanced hygiene practices and comprehensive monitoring in households owning pets.
Pet dogs and cats significantly contribute to the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, according to a study to be presented at the ESCMID Global Congress in Barcelona, Spain. The study reveals the evidence of multidrug-resistant bacteria being passed between sick and healthy pets and their owners. This raises concerns about the role of pets as potential sources of resistance, thus facilitating the spread of resistance to vital medicines.
Antibiotic resistance has reached alarming levels worldwide, leading to more than 1.2 million deaths per year. The World Health Organization identifies antibiotic resistance as a significant threat, and the numbers are projected to rise to 10 million deaths per year by 2050 if immediate action is not taken.
Study Details and Key Findings
Lead researcher Juliana Menezes, from the Antibiotic Resistance Lab at the Centre of Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, explains that recent research suggests the transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria between humans and animals, including pets, is crucial in maintaining resistance levels. Menezes further emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing this transmission to combat antibiotic resistance.
The study involved testing samples from dogs, cats, and their owners for Enterobacterales bacteria resistant to commonly used antibiotics. Specifically, the researchers focused on bacteria resistant to third-generation cephalosporins and carbapenems. The samples were collected from Portugal and the UK, and the study included five cats, 38 dogs, and 78 humans from Portugal, as well as 22 dogs and 56 humans from the UK.
In Portugal, one dog (1/43 pets, 2.3%) was found colonized by a multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli strain that produces the antibiotic-resistant enzyme OXA-181. Additionally, 24 pets (55.8%) and 28 owners (35.9%) harbored Enterobacterales bacteria resistant to third-generation cephalosporins. In five households, both pets and their owners were found to carry the same resistant bacteria, indicating the transmission between pets and humans. Similarly, a dog and its owner in one of these five households were carrying the same antibiotic-resistant strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae.
In the UK, one dog (1/22 pets, 14.3%) was colonized by multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli producing the antibiotic-resistant enzyme NDM-5 beta-lactamase. Eight dogs (36.4%) and three owners (12.5%) were found carrying Enterobacterales bacteria resistant to third-generation cephalosporins. In two households, both the dog and owner carried the same antibiotic-resistant bacteria. While the direction of transmission was unclear, the timing of positive tests suggested the bacteria were being passed from pets to humans in three Portugal households (two dogs and one cat).
Recommendations and Conclusions
Lead researcher Juliana Menezes stresses the importance of including pet-owning households in national programs monitoring antibiotic resistance levels. The findings of this research shed light on the significance of understanding resistance in pets and are crucial in guiding targeted interventions that protect both animal and human health.
To prevent the transmission of bacteria between pets and humans, the researchers recommend practicing good hygiene, such as regularly washing hands after touching pets or handling their waste. In case of an unwell pet, pet owners are advised to consider isolating them in one room to prevent the spread of bacteria throughout the house and to thoroughly clean other rooms. It is crucial to note that all pets in the study were successfully treated, while the owners were unaffected and thus did not require any treatment.
For more information: ESCMID Global (ECCMID 2024) Congress.
