Impossible for many to pass by their cat or dog without kissing, caressing or cuddling them… but be careful, an Anglo-Portuguese study, presented during the congress of theEuropean Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) which will be held in Barcelona from April 27 to 30, 2024, ensures that pets play an important role in the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Pets: some carried resistant superbugs
To better understand the transmission of antibiotic-resistant superbugs, British and Portuguese researchers followed 5 cats, 38 dogs and 78 humans from 43 households in Portugal and 22 dogs and 56 humans from 22 households living in the United Kingdom. The team collected fecal, urine and skin samples from each of the two- and four-legged participants.
In particular, the scientists looked for the presence of Enterobacterales (a large family of bacteria that includes E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae), pathogens known to be particularly resistant to common antibiotics. They focused on those resistant to third-generation cephalosporins (used to treat a wide range of diseases, including meningitis, pneumonia and sepsis) and carbapenems (which are part of the last line of defense when other antibiotics have failed).
Analyzes revealed that in Portugal, a dog was infected with a strain of Escherichia coli producing OXA-181. This is an enzyme that confers resistance to carbapenems. Three cats and 21 dogs and 28 owners harbored Enterobacterales. These pathogens are resistant to third-generation cephalosporins.
In five households, animals and owners carried bacteria producing ESBL – AmpC enzymes, also known to be antibiotic resistant. Genetic analysis showed that the strains are the same, indicating that the bacteria passed between the animal and its owner. In one of these households, a dog and an owner also had the same antibiotic-resistant strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae.
Similar data was found in British homes. ESBL-AmpC-producing Enterobacterales were found in samples from eight dogs and three owners. In two households, the pet and owner carried the same bacteria.
Although the data did not prove with certainty the direction of transmission, the information obtained during the positive tests strongly suggested that the beast had been the original carrier.
“In this study, we provide evidence that bacteria resistant to third-generation cephalosporins, critically important antibiotics, are transmitted from pets to their owners”explains Juliana Menezes of the Lisbon Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in a press release.
Understanding transmission to combat antibiotic resistance
“Our findings highlight the importance of including pet owners in national programs that monitor levels of antibiotic resistance”adds Juliana Menezes.
According to the WHO, infections linked to antibiotic-resistant bacteria kill more than 1.2 million people per year worldwide. Furthermore, without measurement, the figure could reach 10 million by 2050. Thus, better understanding the transmission of resistant bacteria from pets to humans is essential to “effectively combating antimicrobial resistance” And “develop informed and targeted interventions to protect animal and human health”as the authors point out.
Waiting for, “Owners can reduce the spread of multi-drug 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.
