Antibiotic resistance is one of the most pressing problems in modern medicine. According to WHO, 1.3 million people died in 2019 from infections caused by antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and fungi. Among the possible factors for the spread of such microorganisms are domestic animals.
To test this hypothesis, German researchers analyzed samples of biological material from patients and their pets. They focused on the three most common types of “hospital” bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus, enterococci, and enterobacteria.
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria were found in 30% of human samples and 10% of animal samples. However, only four cases showed similar resistance in bacteria from both host and pet samples. This suggests that the probability of transmission of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms from pets to humans is very low.
However, even brief contact with cats and dogs can be dangerous for those with weakened immune systems, who are often found among hospital patients.
Source: Ferra
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