Other bacterial diseasesStaphylococcal zoonoses

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Dawson
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Human Population ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Zoonotic Infections ◽  
Animal Populations ◽  
Hospitalised Patients ◽  
The Common ◽  
Mrsa Strains ◽  
The Uk

Staphylococcal species are common commensals of the skin and mucous membranes of humans and animals but only in very recent years has zoonotic infections been recognised. They can also be associated with infection and disease, especially coagulase positive organisms. Staphylococcus aureus is relatively frequently carried by humans in the nasal passages and is a cause of infections in people including bacteraemias in hospitalised patients. More recently some strains of Staphylococcus aureus have acquired a resistance gene (mecA) which renders them resistant to meticillin (meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA). MRSA isolates are of major importance in healthcare situations as well as increasingly in the community. Animals can also be carriers of Staphylococcus aureus although less frequently than humans and MRSA can be carried or infect several different host species. For companion animals such as dogs and cats, the most frequently isolated MRSA strains are similar to the common local human healthcare strains; thus for the UK, EMRSA-15 and -16. This suggests a reverse zoonosis with spill over from the human population into their companion animals. In horses the situation is different, with some horses carrying or infected with human epidemic strains but others infected with strains less frequently seen in people. For food-producing animals the picture is different again with a particular strain, ST398, which appears to circulate endemically in animal populations, such as pigs, and can spill over into the human population where it can cause carriage as well as infection and disease. The transmission appears to be by direct contact with animals rather than through the food-chain.Where risk factors for infection with MRSA have been studied in animals they appear similar to some of the risks for human infection. Therefore, for control of MRSA in animals measures such as improved hygiene and good antibacterial stewardship are important.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibodies in Dogs and Cats in the United Kingdom

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shirley Smith ◽  
Enyia Anderson ◽  
Cintia Cansado Utrilla ◽  
Tessa Prince ◽  
Sean Farrell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Neutralising Antibodies ◽  
Diagnostic Laboratory ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Human Infections ◽  
Second Wave

Companion animals are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and sporadic cases of pet infections have occurred in the United Kingdom. Here we present the first large-scale serological survey of SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibodies in dogs and cats in the UK. Results are reported for 688 sera (454 canine, 234 feline) collected by a large veterinary diagnostic laboratory for routine haematology during three time periods; pre-COVID-19 (January 2020), during the first wave of UK human infections (April-May 2020) and during the second wave of UK human infections (September 2020-February 2021). Both pre-COVID-19 sera and those from the first wave tested negative. However, in sera collected during the second wave, 1.4% (n=4) of dogs and 2.2% (n=2) cats tested positive for neutralising antibodies. The low numbers of animals testing positive suggests pet animals are unlikely to be a major reservoir for human infection in the UK. However, continued surveillance of in-contact susceptible animals should be performed as part of ongoing population health surveillance initiatives.

Genomic Overview into the Evolving Epidemiology of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 125-131
Author(s):  
Yara El dessouky ◽  
Shaimaa Mouftah ◽  
Mohamed Elhadidy
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Emerging Infections ◽  
Beta Lactam ◽  
Methicillin Resistant ◽  
Gram Positive Bacteria ◽  
Beta Lactam Antibiotics ◽  
Mrsa Strains ◽  
Hospital Acquired

Emerging infections represent an enormous challenge to both human and veterinary medicine. Identification of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in various species and in food has raised concerns about the roles of animals in the epidemiology of MRSA. MRSA are a group of gram-positive bacteria, distinct from other strains of S. aureus in that this pathogen is resistant to methicillin, oxacillin, and all beta-lactam antibiotics. The severity of infections caused by MRSA depends on the strain responsible for the infection and can vary from soft tissue infections to bacteremia and sometimes pneumonia. MRSA strains are divided into clones, based on their genetic makeup. According to the setting of infection, MRSA are divided into three epidemiological types: hospital acquired (HA-MRSA), community acquired (CA-MRSA), and livestock acquired (LA-MRSA) (ie. Transmitted from animal carriers). The epidemiology of HA-MRSA, CA-MRSA, and LA-MRSA is blurred as different recent genetic studies have revealed significant overlap of identical clones between HA-MRSA and CA-MRSA, and the significant increase of human infection caused by LA-MRSA. Furthermore, the animal-human and animal-animal transmission of LA-MRSA has prompted further investigation to study the origin of this epidemiological type and the transmission dynamics. The genetic and virulence profiles of different types of MRSA vary widely, where community acquired and livestock acquired strains are more virulent than hospital acquired strains. This review sheds light on three epidemiological groups of MRSA (HA-MRSA, CA-MRSA, and LA-MRSA), and their most prevalent clonal clusters, that can consequently allow better understanding of their evolution, emergence, transmission, and global dissemination.

Prevalence of and risk factors for MRSA carriage in companion animals: a survey of dogs, cats and horses

2010 ◽  
Vol 139 (7) ◽  
pp. 1019-1028 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. LOEFFLER ◽  
D. U. PFEIFFER ◽  
J. A. LINDSAY ◽  
R. J. SOARES MAGALHÃES ◽  
D. H. LLOYD
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
The Other ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Animal Populations ◽  
Coagulase Positive Staphylococci

SUMMARYWe investigated the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriage in a convenience sample of purposely selected populations of dogs, cats and horses in the Greater London area. Swabs from carriage sites were pooled, enriched and processed by standard bacteriological methods. The presence of nuc and mecA was confirmed for MRSA. Risk factors were investigated among veterinary treatment group animals using exact logistic regression analysis. Twenty-six (1·53%) MRSA carriers were identified in the 1692 animals (15/704 dogs, 8/540 cats, 3/152 horses). Animals presenting for veterinary treatment more frequently carried MRSA than healthy animals (OR 7·27, 95% CI 2·18–24·31, P<0·001). Concurrent carriage of non-MRSA coagulase-positive staphylococci was associated with MRSA carriage (OR 0·088, 95% CI 0·016–0·31, P<0·001); none of the other 13 putative risk factors was significant. MRSA carriage was rare in the selected companion animal populations. The absence of typical risk factors indicates that companion animals act as contaminated vectors rather than as true reservoirs.

scholarly journals A Shared Population of Epidemic Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus 15 Circulates in Humans and Companion Animals

mBio ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ewan M. Harrison ◽  
Lucy A. Weinert ◽  
Matthew T. G. Holden ◽  
John J. Welch ◽  
Katherine Wilson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
One Health ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Methicillin Resistant ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Animal Populations ◽  
The One ◽  
Veterinary Hospital

ABSTRACTMethicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) is a global human health problem causing infections in both hospitals and the community. Companion animals, such as cats, dogs, and horses, are also frequently colonized by MRSA and can become infected. We sequenced the genomes of 46 multilocus sequence type (ST) 22 MRSA isolates from cats and dogs in the United Kingdom and compared these to an extensive population framework of human isolates from the same lineage. Phylogenomic analyses showed that all companion animal isolates were interspersed throughout the epidemic MRSA-15 (EMRSA-15) pandemic clade and clustered with human isolates from the United Kingdom, with human isolates basal to those from companion animals, suggesting a human source for isolates infecting companion animals. A number of isolates from the same veterinary hospital clustered together, suggesting that as in human hospitals, EMRSA-15 isolates are readily transmitted in the veterinary hospital setting. Genome-wide association analysis did not identify any host-specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) or virulence factors. However, isolates from companion animals were significantly less likely to harbor a plasmid encoding erythromycin resistance. When this plasmid was present in animal-associated isolates, it was more likely to contain mutations mediating resistance to clindamycin. This finding is consistent with the low levels of erythromycin and high levels of clindamycin used in veterinary medicine in the United Kingdom. This study furthers the “one health” view of infectious diseases that the pathogen pool of human and animal populations are intrinsically linked and provides evidence that antibiotic usage in animal medicine is shaping the population of a major human pathogen.IMPORTANCEMethicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) is major problem in human medicine. Companion animals, such as cats, dogs, and horses, can also become colonized and infected by MRSA. Here, we demonstrate that a shared population of an important and globally disseminated lineage of MRSA can infect both humans and companion animals without undergoing host adaptation. This suggests that companion animals might act as a reservoir for human infections. We also show that the isolates from companion animals have differences in the presence of certain antibiotic resistance genes. This study furthers the “one health” view of infectious diseases by demonstrating that the pool of MRSA isolates in the human and animal populations are shared and highlights how different antibiotic usage patterns between human and veterinary medicine can shape the population of bacterial pathogens.

scholarly journals Staphylococcus aureus as an infectious agent: overview of biochemistry and molecular genetics of its pathogenicity.

2009 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Konrad Plata ◽  
Adriana E Rosato ◽  
Grzegorz Wegrzyn
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Human Population ◽  
Infectious Agent ◽  
Healthcare Associated Infections ◽  
Regulation Of Expression ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Genetic Mechanisms ◽  
Mrsa Strains ◽  
Etiological Agents ◽  
Healthcare Associated

Although it is estimated that 20-30% of the general human population are carriers of Staphylococcus aureus, this bacterium is one of the most important etiological agents responsible for healthcare-associated infections. The appearance of methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains has created serious therapeutical problems. Detailed understanding of the mechanisms of S. aureus infections seems necessary to develop new effective therapies against this pathogen. In this article, we present an overview of the biochemical and genetic mechanisms of pathogenicity of S. aureus strains. Virulence factors, organization of the genome and regulation of expression of genes involved in virulence, and mechanisms leading to methicilin resistance are presented and briefly discussed.

scholarly journals Characterization of community and hospital Staphylococcus aureus isolates in Southampton, UK

2010 ◽  
Vol 59 (9) ◽  
pp. 1084-1088 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. Green ◽  
P. Marsh ◽  
N. Ahmad ◽  
J. M. C. Jefferies ◽  
S. C. Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Molecular Analysis ◽  
Community Settings ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Mrsa Strains ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Healthcare Associated ◽  
First Time ◽  
Sequence Types

Staphylococcus aureus infections are a burden to healthcare systems. There remains a lack of understanding on the relative contributions of S. aureus infection in the healthcare and community settings. In this study, 59 S. aureus isolates were selected for molecular analysis. The mobile variant staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec type IV was present in both healthcare-associated meticillin-resistant S. aureus (HA-MRSA) and community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA), as was the Panton–Valentine leukocidin gene. PFGE identified 24 distinct clonal groups whilst multi-locus sequence typing identified 26 different sequence types, including four with new combinations of alleles. This is the first time, to our knowledge, that a selection of CA and HA MSSA and MRSA strains have been subjected to molecular analysis and comparison in the UK. Definitions for CA-MRSA need further debate as the movement of strains between healthcare and community settings is confounding the use of epidemiological definitions.

COVID-19. Scenarios of a superfluous crisis

Kybernetes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Steffen Roth ◽  
Lars Clausen ◽  
Sören Möller
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Seasonal Influenza ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hospitalised Patients ◽  
The Common ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Early Phases ◽  
Influenza H1n1

Purpose This study aims to highlight the critical role case fatality rates (CFR) have played in the emergence and the management of particularly the early phases of the current coronavirus crisis. Design/methodology/approach The study presents a contrastive map of CFR for the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and influenza (H1N1 and H2N2). Findings The mapped data shows that current CFR of SARS-CoV-2 are considerably lower than, or similar to those, of hospitalised patients in the UK, Spain, Germany or international samples. The authors therefore infer a possible risk that the virulence of the coronavirus is considerably overestimated because of sampling biases, and that increased testing might reduce the general CFR of SARS-CoV-2 to rates similar to, or lower than, of the common seasonal influenza. Originality/value This study concludes that governments, health corporations and health researchers must prepare for scenarios in which the affected populations cease to believe in the statistical foundations of the current coronavirus crisis and interventions.

scholarly journals International outbreak of staphylococcal food poisoning caused by contaminated lasagne

1986 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. C. Woolaway ◽  
C. L. R. Bartlett ◽  
Antonnette A. Wieneke ◽  
R. J. Gilbert ◽  
Helen C. Murrell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Food Processing ◽  
Food Poisoning ◽  
Rapid Identification ◽  
Common Source ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Processing Stage ◽  
The Common ◽  
The Uk

SUMMARYAn outbreak of staphylococcal food poisoning in Europe caused by contaminated lasagne was detected and monitored by both national and international surveillance systems. The common source was a pasta-producing factory in Italy and high levels of Staphylococcus aureus were detected in packets of dried lasagne distributed in Luxembourg, the UK, France and Italy. Forty-seven cases were reported in the UK. Outbreaks of staphylococcal food poisoning attributed to mishandling during the food processing stage are uncommon and pasta as the food vehicle is rare. Prompt recognition of the outbreak and rapid identification of the food vehicle enabled most of the consignment to be withdrawn from the market.

scholarly journals Detection of livestock-associated meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus CC398 in retail pork, United Kingdom, February 2015

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (24) ◽  
Author(s):  
N F Hadjirin ◽  
E M Lay ◽  
G K Paterson ◽  
E M Harrison ◽  
S J Peacock ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Clonal Complex ◽  
Zoonotic Infections ◽  
Pig Farms ◽  
Retail Meat ◽  
Meat Samples ◽  
The Uk

Livestock-associated meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus belonging to clonal complex 398 (LA-MRSA CC398) is an important cause of zoonotic infections in many countries. Here, we describe the isolation of LA-MRSA CC398 from retail meat samples of United Kingdom (UK) farm origin. Our findings indicate that this lineage is probably established in UK pig farms and demonstrate a potential pathway for the transmission of LA-MRSA CC398 from livestock to humans in the UK.

scholarly journals Distribution ofSalmonella enteritidisphage types in Canada

1991 ◽  
Vol 106 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Khakhria ◽  
D. Duck ◽  
H. Lior
Keyword(s):  
Regional Variation ◽  
Salmonella Enteritidis ◽  
Phage Type ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Common Type ◽  
Common Source ◽  
Human Origin ◽  
Phage Types ◽  
The Common ◽  
The Uk

SUMMARYThe distribution ofSalmonella enteritidisphage types in Canada is described; 606 of 674 strains examined were of human origin. Typable strains of all sources, constituted 99·6% (671/674) of all strains examined, and were representative of 15 different phage types. Five phage types (8, 13, 4, 13a and 1) accounted for 92·4% of the total. Phage type 8 consistently showed the highest incidence in human (69·96%) and non-human (72·05%) sources and appeared to be the most common in North America. Phage type 4, the most prevalent in the UK, is infrequent in Canada (38/674). The distribution of phage types showed regional variation among infrequent phage types, whereas the common type, 8, was observed in different frequencies in all provinces. Examination of 29 outbreaks ofS. enteritidisrepresenting 254 isolates for humans revealed 5 different phage types, the highest number of outbreaks (11) were type 8. A study of these outbreaks and the animal-host-associations of the common phage types, 8 and 13, indicated that contaminated poultry appeared to be the most common source of human infection in Canada.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document