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Antibiotic-resistant Salmonella is a serious public health problem that has increased in recent years as the bacteria have developed ways to survive drugs. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people can get Salmonella by eating contaminated food products or from infected people or animals, usually through accidental contact with feces by touching hands or petting a pet.
However, a team of Penn State researchers has found that domestic dogs are an overlooked point of transmission of zoonotic pathogens such as non-typhoidal Salmonella, which can cause diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps, with some infections potentially having life-threatening complications.
The findings have been made available online in the news Zoonoses and public health. Given dogs’ proximity to humans and the use of critically important antibiotics in companion animal medicine, the researchers reported, domestic dogs pose a risk for the spread of antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella. They explained that better risk awareness and good hygiene could potentially help reduce cross-species infections.
Salmonella infections in dogs can be clinical (with signs or symptoms) or asymptomatic, with numerous studies reporting the isolation of Salmonella in clinically healthy dogs, said team leader Erika Ganda, assistant professor of food animal microbiomes, Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences.
A major problem, she explained, is the proximity of people and dogs, which provides ample opportunities for the ‘zoonosis’ of Salmonella, the disease transmitted from animals to humans. Pet management decisions involving food contamination, improper food handling, or both can increase the likelihood of infection.
To investigate antimicrobial resistant Salmonella and the zoonotic potential of non-typhoidal Salmonella isolated from dogs and humans, the researchers took advantage of existing biosurveillance infrastructure. Using the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network, they identified all non-typhoidal Salmonella strains isolated from domestic dogs between May 2017 and March 2023.
They then compared the timing and location of those 87 cases to strains isolated from humans in the National Center for Biotechnology Information database, maintained by the National Library of Medicine of the National Institutes of Health, which provides access to biomedical and genomic information. They found 77 suspected zoonotic cases – meaning the bacteria passed from a dog to a human – consisting of 164 strains collected from 17 states in the United States.
Strains isolated from dogs include several serovars, or different variations within the bacterial species, most of which are clinically relevant to human health, the researchers reported. Although the datasets did not contain information on infection severity or treatments, the researchers did find that all identified strains possessed antimicrobial resistance genes for drug classes considered critical or very important by the World Health Organization.
“We identified 16 non-typhoidal Salmonella isolates from humans that are closely related to more than one of the six canine-associated strains,” said Sophia Kenney, a student in the Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Biosciences doctoral program and at the Department of Animal Science, who led the study.
“Collectively, our data highlights the importance of antimicrobial stewardship and sustainable biosurveillance beyond human and agricultural-related veterinary medicine, using a One Health framework, which takes into account all points of transmission – including companion animals. One Health is an approach that recognizes that the health of people is intimately linked to the health of animals and our shared environment.”
Antimicrobial stewardship in companion animal veterinary medicine is critical to reducing antimicrobial resistance within the One Health model, Kenney explains.
“Especially with Salmonella, we think about the role of agriculture and transmission – we think about eggs, we think about beef. But the thing is, we don’t let cows sleep in our beds or lick our faces, but we do with dogs.’ she said.
“We have a very close relationship with companion animals in general, and we have a very close relationship with dogs. So we asked the question: What is the role of companion animals in the transmission of zoonotic diseases like Salmonella, given that they can get them? Salmonella Infections in dogs are uncommon, but we are aware of foodborne outbreaks associated with pet treats or through contact with contaminated pet food and improper food handling.
Study co-author Nkuchia M’ikanatha, chief epidemiologist at the Pennsylvania Department of Health and an affiliated researcher at Penn State’s Department of Food Science, referred to an outbreak of multidrug-resistant Salmonella infections in humans linked to pig ear treats in the United States. States that a few years ago made 154 people in 34 states sick.
“This is a reminder that simple hygiene practices like hand washing are necessary to protect both our furry friends and ourselves – our dogs are family, but even the healthiest pup can carry Salmonella,” he said.
“Salmonella is a typical human microbe, whose presence has been intertwined with our history since the beginning of agriculture. Emerging research suggests that this pathogen has shadowed humanity for some 10,000 years, coinciding with the rise of animal domestication. Nearly 40% of Pennsylvania households and more than half of U.S. households, including dogs, we must respect the enduring threat of Salmonella and remain vigilant to prevent its spread within our families.”
Bacteria are never completely ‘bad’ or ‘good’; their role depends on the context, Ganda emphasizes. While some bacteria, such as Salmonella, can pose serious health risks, others are essential for maintaining our health and the health of our pets. It’s important to remain vigilant and aware of potential risks, especially if you live closely with animals, she added.
“At the same time, several studies highlight the significant physical and mental health benefits of owning a dog, including reduced stress and increased physical activity,” Ganda said. “Our goal is not to discourage pet ownership, but to ensure that people are aware of potential risks and take simple steps, such as practicing good hygiene, to keep both their families and their furry companions safe. “
More information:
Sophia M. Kenney et al, Antimicrobial resistance and zoonotic potential of non-typhoidal Salmonella in domestic dogs, Zoonoses and public health (2024). DOI: 10.1111/zph.13174
Quote: Dogs linked to antimicrobial resistant Salmonella spread (2024, December 23) retrieved December 24, 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-12-pet-dogs-linked-antimbiotic-resistent.html
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