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Imprint
Assessment of MRSA-infected companion animals as a reservoir for MRSA in the community
Project
Project code: keine Angabe
Contract period: 01.11.2010
- 31.10.2013
Purpose of research: Applied research
Staphylococcus aureus is commonly known as a skin and mucosal colonizer of various animal species, representing a frequent component of the autochthonous microbiota in different warm-blooded animals. Therefore, a positive colonization status of either humans or animals is one of the most important sources of Staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA) spread in general, mediated directly by physical contact or indirect via contaminated surfaces or items. In addition, Staphylococcus aureus is sticky and shows long-term resistance to dry conditions, supporting environmental survival as well as enhanced infection opportunities.
Infectious diseases due to Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are among the leading threats to (human) heath care systems and have been for decades. In present years, MRSA infections are likewise on the rise in veterinary medicine, causing serious problems in completely different fields: On the one hand, the sudden occurrence of frequent and widespread nasal MRSA-colonisation in livestock- associated animals like pigs, cattle and poultry requires sound risk assessment and consumer protection for potential infection risks via foodstuffs. On the other hand, severe MRSA-infections occur in companion animals like dogs, cats and horses, which seem to be frequently associated with nosocomial infections, resulting in a major clinical challenge for veterinarians. In this light, IP8 intends to focus on the ongoing appearance and spread of MRSA in the field of small animal and equine medicine.
By now, the general transferability of certain genetic Staphylococcus aureus-lineages between human and animal hosts and vice-versa is beyond dispute. Therefore, Staphylococcus aureus-genotypes frequently associated with infectious diseases in humans and different animal species are denominated as representatives of Extended Host Spectrum Genotypes (EHSG).
Against this backdrop, the increasing proportion of MRSA-infected companion animals raises questions concerning the general zoonotic impact and epidemiological relevance for public health regarding this trend. Therefore, one contribution of IP8 to the MedVet-Staph research network is a broad cross sectional study on the proportion of MRSA in wound specimens from companion animal origin.
A second approach of IP8 intends to investigate risk factors associated with MRSA-infections in companion animals by collaboratively conducting a case control study with the project partners of the Robert Koch- Institute and the Vet Med Labor GmbH. Furthermore, veterinarians as well as owners of MRSA-positive animals will be offered a voluntary participation in a further study regarding their nasal colonization status (IP8, IP9 and Vet Med Labor GmbH).
In a third section, comparative molecular analysis of selected EHSG- Staphylococcus aureus isolates (MRSA/MSSA) of animal origin identified in this IP8 will be comparatively analysed including clinical human strains provided by our external project partner Dr. S. Monecke in order to investigate potential factors associated with the apparently effortless transferability of certain genotypes.
Section overview
Subjects
- Animal health
