Risk factors for MRSA infection in companion animals: results from a case-control study within Germany.
Abstract: Increasing numbers of companion animals suffering from infections with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have been reported in the recent past. These infections are of particular concern because of the limited treatment options for MRSA and their transferability to humans. Since MRSA lineages isolated from infected companion animals often mirror typical human epidemic strains circulating in the same region, successful strategies to combat MRSA need strong and coordinated efforts from both, the human and the veterinary field according to the "One Health" concept. Hence, to identify potential risk factors related to MRSA infections in dogs, cats and horses, a case-control study was conducted, including data on 106 MRSA-infected animal patients as cases and 102 MSSA-infected animals as controls, originating from 155 different veterinary settings within Germany. Demographic data on animal patients, patient history and administration of antibiotics as well as practice/clinic specific parameters were assessed as putative risk factors. Multivariable logistic regression identified the following variables as risk factors for MRSA infection compared to MSSA infection: number of employees working at the veterinary setting (n>10; p<0.001), antibiotic treatment prior to sampling (systemic: p=0.002; local: p=0.049, both: p=0.011) and surgical site infection (p<0.001). Spa typing revealed predominantly clonal complexes well-known for hospital-associated lineages spreading in human health-care settings in Germany (CC5 and CC22) for isolates of dog and cat origin. CC398-MRSA dominated among equine isolates, a CC that was described as a nosocomial pathogen in equine clinical settings before. The identified risk factors and genotyping results are in accordance with numerous study outcomes from the field of human medicine and point towards reasonable problems with nosocomial spread of MRSA, especially within companion animal veterinary clinics. To define targeted infection control strategies against nosocomial pathogens, it is important to accomplish intervention studies addressing routes of transmission in companion animal veterinary settings.
Copyright © 2014 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2014-07-25 PubMed ID: 25130703DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2014.07.007Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research article seeks to identify risk factors that lead to Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in companion animals like cats, dogs, and horses through a case-control study conducted within Germany.
Study Overview and Methodology
- The study involves 106 MRSA-infected animals as cases and 102 Methicillin-Sensitive Staphylococcus Aureus (MSSA)-infected animals as controls. These animals come from 155 different veterinary settings throughout Germany.
- The researchers collected demographic data on the animals, their health history, and any administration of antibiotics. They also took into account specific parameters related to the veterinary practice or clinic.
- To identify the risk factors for MRSA infection as compared to MSSA infection, multivariable logistic regression was employed.
Key Findings
- The number of employees at the veterinary setting (more than 10), prior antibiotics treatment—both systemic and local—and surgical site infection were identified as significant risk factors for MRSA infection.
- The most common Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) found in dogs and cats were those typically associated with human hospital environments in Germany (namely: CC5 and CC22 gene types).
- CC398-MRSA, known to be a nosocomial (originating in a hospital) pathogen in equine clinical settings, dominated among the horse isolates.
Implications of the Findings
- The findings of this study align with numerous studies within the field of human medicine, pointing towards nosocomial spread of MRSA—especially within companion animal veterinary clinics.
- In order to manage and control infections effectively, it is crucial to execute intervention studies addressing the modes of MRSA transmission in veterinary settings for companion animals.
- These findings reinforce the “One Health” concept, emphasizing the importance of coordinated efforts from both the human and veterinary fields to combat the MRSA problem.
Cite This Article
APA
Vincze S, Brandenburg AG, Espelage W, Stamm I, Wieler LH, Kopp PA, Lübke-Becker A, Walther B.
(2014).
Risk factors for MRSA infection in companion animals: results from a case-control study within Germany.
Int J Med Microbiol, 304(7), 787-793.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmm.2014.07.007 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Centre for Infection Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: szilvia.vincze@fu-berlin.de.
- Vet Med Labor GmbH, Division of IDEXX Laboratories, Ludwigsburg, Germany.
- Robert Koch Institute, Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Berlin, Germany.
- Vet Med Labor GmbH, Division of IDEXX Laboratories, Ludwigsburg, Germany.
- Centre for Infection Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
- Vet Med Labor GmbH, Division of IDEXX Laboratories, Ludwigsburg, Germany.
- Centre for Infection Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
- Centre for Infection Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Case-Control Studies
- Cat Diseases / epidemiology
- Cat Diseases / microbiology
- Cats
- Dog Diseases / epidemiology
- Dog Diseases / microbiology
- Dogs
- Genetic Variation
- Genotype
- Germany / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horses
- Humans
- Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / classification
- Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / genetics
- Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification
- Molecular Typing
- Pets
- Risk Factors
- Staphylococcal Infections / epidemiology
- Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology
- Staphylococcal Infections / veterinary
- Staphylococcal Protein A / genetics
Citations
This article has been cited 14 times.- Caddey B, Fisher S, Barkema HW, Nobrega DB. Companions in antimicrobial resistance: examining transmission of common antimicrobial-resistant organisms between people and their dogs, cats, and horses. Clin Microbiol Rev 2025 Mar 13;38(1):e0014622.
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- Werner G, Abu Sin M, Bahrs C, Brogden S, Feßler AT, Hagel S, Kaspar H, Köck R, Kreienbrock L, Krüger-Haker H, Maechler F, Noll I, Pletz MW, Tenhagen BA, Schwarz S, Walther B, Mielke M. [Therapy-relevant antibiotic resistances in a One Health context]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2023 Jun;66(6):628-643.
- Khairullah AR, Sudjarwo SA, Effendi MH, Ramandinianto SC, Gelolodo MA, Widodo A, Riwu KHP, Kurniawati DA. Pet animals as reservoirs for spreading methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus to human health. J Adv Vet Anim Res 2023 Mar;10(1):1-13.
- Avberšek J, Papić B, Kušar D, Erjavec V, Seme K, Golob M, Zdovc I. Feline Otitis Externa Caused by Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus with Mixed Hemolytic Phenotype and Overview of Possible Genetic Backgrounds. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021 May 18;10(5).
- Elmoslemany A, Elsohaby I, Alorabi M, Alkafafy M, Al-Marri T, Aldoweriej A, Alaql FA, Almubarak A, Fayez M. Diversity and Risk Factors Associated with Multidrug and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococci Isolated from Cats Admitted to a Veterinary Clinic in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021 Mar 31;10(4).
- Chueahiran S, Yindee J, Boonkham P, Suanpairintr N, Chanchaithong P. Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Clonal Complex 398 as a Major MRSA Lineage in Dogs and Cats in Thailand. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021 Feb 28;10(3).
- Penna B, Silva MB, Soares AER, Vasconcelos ATR, Ramundo MS, Ferreira FA, Silva-Carvalho MC, de Sousa VS, Rabello RF, Bandeira PT, de Souza VS, Planet PJ, Vieira-da-Motta O, Botelho AMN, Figueiredo AMS. Comparative genomics of MRSA strains from human and canine origins reveals similar virulence gene repertoire. Sci Rep 2021 Feb 25;11(1):4724.
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- Petinaki E, Spiliopoulou I. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization and infection risks from companion animals: current perspectives. Vet Med (Auckl) 2015;6:373-382.
- Macori G, Giacinti G, Bellio A, Gallina S, Bianchi DM, Sagrafoli D, Marri N, Giangolini G, Amatiste S, Decastelli L. Molecular Epidemiology of Methicillin-Resistant and Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus in the Ovine Dairy Chain and in Farm-Related Humans. Toxins (Basel) 2017 May 16;9(5).
- Bierowiec K, Płoneczka-Janeczko K, Rypuła K. Is the Colonisation of Staphylococcus aureus in Pets Associated with Their Close Contact with Owners?. PLoS One 2016;11(5):e0156052.
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