Drug-resistant bacteria have emerged as one of the biggest health problems of this century. The fact that some pathogens can adapt to all of our medical treatments and become virtually untreatable is absolutely frightening. For example, there is already a form of gonorrhea that is essentially untreatable, and the drug-resistant pathogen kills more than 1 million people a year.
The scale of the problem is not entirely clear, and it is not just a human problem. Farm animals can also carry drug-resistant bacteria. In addition to all this, new problems may arise. In a recent study, researchers discovered that these “superbugs” are transmitted from pets to their owners. While this doesn't necessarily make humans sick, it does suggest that pets may also be involved in the health crisis.
our best friends and microbes
If you own a dog or cat, you probably have a lot of skinship with them. Let's be honest: we all love cuddling our little munchkins, whether it's petting them, kissing them, or sharing the same room (and often bed) with them. We don't usually think about germs when we do this, but germs can be transmitted in both directions during this process.
In a new study, an international team surveyed 43 households in Portugal (5 cats, 38 dogs, 78 humans) and 22 households in the UK (22 dogs, 56 humans) and found that pets are a reservoir of superbugs. I discovered that it is possible.
All humans were healthy. Even if pets can transmit drug-resistant bacteria, it doesn't seem to make them sick. However, surprisingly, all pets had at least one of her infections (either skin, soft tissue, or urinary tract).
The researchers collected urine and fecal samples from the pets, as well as skin swabs. They focused on Enterobacteriales (a large family of bacteria that includes) Escherichia coli) was resistant to third-generation cephalosporins. These are some of the most important antibiotics for humans, treating conditions ranging from sepsis to meningitis. The research team also investigated carbapenem-resistant bacteria, which are considered a last resort antibiotic defense used when other antibiotics have failed.
In Portugal, three cats and 21 dogs carried bacteria resistant to cephalosporins, and one dog also had bacteria resistant to carbapenems. Additionally, in five homes, both the pet and the owner had the same bacteria, indicating that the pathogen was transferred from one to the other. Dogs with bacteria resistant to carbapenems were also included in this group.
Meanwhile, in the UK, one dog carried bacteria resistant to both classes of antibiotics, and two households showed signs of transmission of bacteria between pets and humans.
Dealing with AMR bacterial infections
“Recent studies have shown that the transmission of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacteria between humans and animals, including pets, is important in maintaining resistance levels, and that humans can reduce AMR in the community. “This challenges the traditional idea that they are the main carriers of bacteria,” said the lead researcher. Juliana Menezes from the Antibiotic Resistance Laboratory, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon.
“Understanding and addressing the transmission of AMR bacteria from pets to humans is essential to effectively combat antimicrobial resistance in both human and animal populations.”
It's not 100% clear whether the bacteria passed from pets to humans or vice versa. However, given that the pet was sick and the human was not, the former seems more likely. Researchers suggest that if your pet has such bacteria, you should thoroughly clean your home and consider measures to reduce the risk of infection.
But perhaps the most important finding is that our pets can be carriers of these bacteria. This is especially true when going outdoors. Even if they don't make us sick, this may contribute to common drug resistance.
“Our findings highlight the importance of including pet-owning households in national programs to monitor levels of antibiotic resistance,” Menezes said in a conference news release. “Learning more about pet resistance will help us develop informed and targeted interventions to protect both animal and human health.”
All pets were successfully treated for infection. The owner did not require any treatment.
The research will be presented at the ESCMID Global Conference in Barcelona, Spain from April 27th to April 30th.
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