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Updated: Sep 26, 2025
Development and Assessment of Intracellular Infection Models for Staphylococcus aureus
Published on: January 17, 2025
Colonization of Dogs and Their Owners with Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in Households,
Christiane Cuny1, Franziska Layer-Nicolaou1, Robert Weber2
1Robert Koch Institute, 38855 Wernigerode, Germany.
Abstract:
There are uncertainties with respect to the transmission of methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA and MRSA) and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius between dogs and humans. In this study, we investigated concomitant nasal colonization of dogs and humans in three cohorts. Cohort I, households owning dogs: In 42 of 84 households, 66 humans (36.9%) and 10 dogs (8.9%) carried S. aureus. MRSA, attributed to sequence type (ST) 22 and ST130, were detected in two (1.1%) of the humans but in none of the dogs. Typing by means of spa-typing and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) indicated eight transmissions of S. aureus between humans and dogs in 8 of 42 (19.0%) households with human S. aureus carriers, whereas in 11 of 38 (29.0%) households with ≥two persons and S. aureus colonization of humans, 15 human-to-human transmissions were observed (p = 0.43). S. pseudintermedius was isolated from 42 dogs (37.5%), but from only one human (0.6%). In this case, WGS-based typing indicated strong relatedness of this isolate with a canine isolate from the same household. Cohort II, dogs and their owners visiting a veterinary practice: Among 17 humans and 17 dogs attending a veterinary practice, MSSA was detected in three humans and two dogs, and S. pseudintermedius in only six dogs. Cohort III, dogs used for animal-assisted interventions in human healthcare facilities and their owners: MSSA was obtained in 1 of 59 dogs (1.7%) and in 17 of 60 (28.3%) of the dog owners, while S. pseudintermedius was isolated from seven (12%) dogs and one (1.7%) human owner. We conclude that the risk of exchanging S. aureus/MRSA between humans and dogs is higher than that for S. pseudintermedius.
Insights
The study investigated Staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA) and S. pseudintermedius transmission between dogs and humans. Results show a higher risk of S. aureus exchange between pets and people than S. pseudintermedius.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Zoonotic Disease Research
- One Health
Background:
- Methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA and MRSA) and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius are significant pathogens in both human and canine populations.
- Understanding the transmission dynamics of these bacteria between dogs and humans is crucial for public health and veterinary medicine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and transmission of S. aureus (MSSA/MRSA) and S. pseudintermedius between dogs and humans in various settings.
- To assess the risk of zoonotic and anthroponotic transmission of these staphylococcal species.
Main Methods:
- Concomitant nasal colonization screening in three cohorts: dog-owning households, veterinary clinic attendees, and animal-assisted intervention dogs.
- Bacterial isolation and identification of S. aureus and S. pseudintermedius.
- Molecular typing including spa-typing and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) for transmission analysis.
Main Results:
- S. aureus was detected in 36.9% of humans and 8.9% of dogs in households; MRSA was found in humans but not dogs.
- Eight instances of S. aureus transmission between humans and dogs were identified in households.
- S. pseudintermedius was more prevalent in dogs (37.5%) than humans (0.6%), with one confirmed human-to-dog transmission event.
Conclusions:
- The risk of exchanging S. aureus, including MRSA, between humans and dogs is higher than that of S. pseudintermedius.
- Findings highlight the potential for interspecies bacterial transmission and the importance of considering pets in One Health strategies.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the complex transmission pathways of staphylococci between companion animals and humans.
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