TORONTO, June 21 -- The emerging threat of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) may have a new carrier -- the family pet.
Yes, Kitty and Spot may be boon companions, but their friendship comes with the possibility of transmission of MRSA and at least 30 other pathogens, according to Richard Oehler, MD, and colleagues at the University of South Florida College of Medicine in Tampa.
Many of those are transmitted by bites and scratches, but others -- such as MRSA -- can cycle back and forth between pets and owners, Dr. Oehler and colleagues said in a review article in the July edition of The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
"Pet owners are often unaware of the potential for transmission of life-threatening pathogens from their canine and feline companions," the researchers said.
In particular, they said, a growing body of evidence shows that cats and dogs can be colonized by MRSA -- probably acquired from their owners, since the predominant species in cats and dogs is Staphylococcus intermedius, with S aureus making up less than 10% of feline and canine strains.
But the cats and dogs can give the bug back. As long ago as 1988, researchers reported that a cat living in a United Kingdom geriatric unit had passed MRSA back to people. Screening of patients and staff showed that 38% of the nursing staff was colonized.
And that's not uncommon, according to Lawrence McGill, DVM, PhD, of the ARUP Animal Reference Pathology Laboratory in Salt Lake City.
"There is more and more data pointing to the most common source for animal infections with MRSA is from humans, including contact with medical facilities where humans are treated," Dr. McGill said.
Knowing how thoroughly off-topic and irreverent my post is, nonetheless...