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Published on: September 1, 2023
Qualitative risk assessment of the acquisition of Meticillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus in pet dogs
Jane Heller1, Louise Kelly, Stuart W J Reid
1Boyd Orr Centre for Population and Ecosystem Health, Institute of Comparative Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Bearsden G61 1QH, UK. jheller@csu.edu.au
Abstract:
This article presents a qualitative risk assessment of the acquisition of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in pet dogs, representing an important first step in the exploration of risk of bidirectional MRSA transfer between dogs and humans. A conceptual model of the seven potential pathways for MRSA acquisition in a dog in any given 24-hour period was developed and the data available to populate that model were considered qualitatively. Humans were found to represent the most important source of MRSA for dogs in both community and veterinary hospital settings. The environment was found to be secondary to humans in terms of importance and other dogs less still. This study highlights some important methodological limitations of a technique that is heavily relied upon for qualitative risk assessments and applies a novel process, the use of relative risk ranking, to enable the generation of a defensible output using a matrix combination approach. Given the limitations of the prescribed methods as applied to the problem under consideration, further validation, or repudiation, of the findings contained herein is called for using a subsequent quantitative assessment.
Insights
Humans are the primary source of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) for pet dogs, posing a risk for bidirectional transfer. This study assessed MRSA acquisition pathways in dogs, highlighting human contact as the main risk factor.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a significant One Health challenge.
- Understanding MRSA transmission dynamics between pets and humans is crucial for public health.
- Pet dogs are increasingly recognized as potential reservoirs and vectors for MRSA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a qualitative risk assessment of MRSA acquisition in pet dogs.
- To identify and evaluate potential pathways for MRSA transmission between dogs and humans.
- To explore the risk of bidirectional MRSA transfer in a One Health context.
Main Methods:
- Development of a conceptual model detailing seven potential MRSA acquisition pathways in dogs over 24 hours.
- Qualitative assessment of available data to populate the conceptual model.
- Application of relative risk ranking and a matrix combination approach for defensible output generation.
Main Results:
- Humans identified as the most significant source of MRSA for pet dogs in both community and veterinary settings.
- Environmental factors were found to be secondary to human contact in MRSA acquisition.
- Other dogs were identified as a less significant source of MRSA compared to humans and the environment.
Conclusions:
- Human-to-dog transmission is the predominant pathway for MRSA acquisition in pet dogs.
- Methodological limitations in qualitative risk assessment techniques were highlighted.
- Further quantitative assessment is recommended to validate or refute the study's findings on MRSA transmission dynamics.
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