Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 27, 2025
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA
Published on: February 9, 2011
Risk factors for antimicrobial resistance among Staphylococcus isolated from pets living with a patient diagnosed
Cusi Ferradas1,2,3, Caitlin Cotter1, Jonathan H Shahbazian1
1Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Abstract:
It has been suggested that pets play a critical role in the maintenance of methicillin-resistant (MR) and multidrug-resistant (MDR) Staphylococcus spp. in the household. We examined risk factors for carriage of antimicrobial-resistant coagulase-positive staphylococci, with particular attention to Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius isolated from pets living in households of people diagnosed with methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) skin or soft-tissue infection. We analyzed data collected cross-sectionally from a study conducted in 2012 that evaluated the transmission of MRSA and other staphylococci from humans, their pets and the environment (Pets and Environmental Transmission of Staphylococci [PETS] study). We used unadjusted and adjusted stratified logistic regression analyses with household-clustered standard errors to evaluate the association between demographic, healthcare-related, contact-related and environmental risk factors and MDR Staphylococcus spp. isolated from dogs and cats. Staphylococcal isolates obtained from dogs (n = 63) and cats (n = 47) were included in these analyses. The use of oral or injectable antimicrobials by the pets during the prior year was the main risk factor of interest. Based on our results, 50% (12/24) of S. aureus, 3.3% (1/30) of S. pseudintermedius and 25% (14/56) of other coagulase-positive staphylococci (CPS) were determined to be MDR. S. aureus isolates were more likely to be MDR compared with S. pseudintermedius. We did not find a significant statistical association between the use of oral or injectable antimicrobials in the prior year and the presence of MDR bacteria. The results suggest that drivers of antimicrobial resistance in household staphylococci may vary by bacterial species, which could have implications for one health intervention strategies for staphylococci and inform the investigation of other reverse zoonoses, such as COVID-19.
Insights
Pets can carry antimicrobial-resistant bacteria like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This study found that the drivers of resistance in household staphylococci may differ by bacterial species, impacting One Health strategies.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Microbiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Pets may harbor antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, contributing to household transmission.
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a significant public health concern.
- Understanding resistance in pet-associated bacteria is crucial for One Health approaches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate risk factors for antimicrobial-resistant coagulase-positive staphylococci in pets.
- To specifically examine Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in pets of MRSA-infected households.
- To evaluate the association between pet antimicrobial use and multidrug-resistant (MDR) Staphylococcus spp. carriage.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study analyzing data from the Pets and Environmental Transmission of Staphylococci (PETS) study.
- Logistic regression analyses with household-clustered standard errors were used.
- Risk factors including demographic, healthcare, contact, and environmental factors were assessed.
Main Results:
- Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria were found in 50% of S. aureus, 3.3% of S. pseudintermedius, and 25% of other coagulase-positive staphylococci (CPS).
- S. aureus isolates were more likely to be MDR than S. pseudintermedius.
- No significant association was found between prior antimicrobial use in pets and MDR bacteria carriage.
Conclusions:
- Drivers of antimicrobial resistance in household staphylococci appear to vary by bacterial species.
- Findings have implications for One Health intervention strategies for staphylococci.
- Further research is needed to understand reverse zoonoses, such as MRSA transmission from pets.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Development of Antibiotic Resistance
01:36Mismatch Repair
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
00:57Antibiotic Selection
01:31Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...