New research from Penn State highlights household dogs as overlooked carriers of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella, underlining the importance of proper hygiene to prevent cross-species infections.
Pet dogs may unwittingly be helping the spread of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella, a pathogen responsible for severe gastrointestinal illnesses in humans, according to new research by Penn State scientists.
The research, published in the journal Zoonoses and Public Health, underscores how pet dogs can be significant vectors for transmitting nontyphoidal Salmonella, which often results in symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps in humans.
Increased Antibiotic Resistance
Antibiotic-resistant Salmonella has been on the rise, capable of withstanding treatments that were once effective.
While the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identify contaminated food products or infected individuals and animals as primary sources, this new study sheds light on an often-overlooked transmission mode: household pets.
Study Insights and Findings
Using data from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network, and cross-referencing it with human cases in the National Center for Biotechnology Information database, the researchers identified 87 nontyphoidal Salmonella strains originating from pet dogs.
They further matched these to 77 zoonotic cases involving 164 strains across 17 U.S. states.
“We identified 16 nontyphoidal Salmonella isolates from humans closely related to more than one of six dog-associated strains,” Sophia Kenney, a doctoral student in molecular, cellular and integrative biosciences at Penn State who led the study, said in a news release.
The study’s strains all shared antimicrobial resistance genes for crucial drug classes, as classified by the World Health Organization. This resistance only magnifies the public health challenge posed by these zoonotic bacteria.
The “One Health” Approach
“Collectively, our data emphasize the importance of antimicrobial stewardship and sustained biosurveillance beyond human and agriculture-associated veterinary medicine, using a ‘One Health’ framework,” added Kenney.
This One Health perspective integrates human, animal and environmental health to tackle systemic issues jointly.
The study advocates for better hygiene practices to mitigate risk, especially given the close relationships many people have with their pets.
Implications and Preventive Measures
Study co-author Nkuchia M’ikanatha, lead epidemiologist for the Pennsylvania Department of Health, highlighted a past outbreak in the United States involving multidrug-resistant Salmonella linked to pig ear dog treats, which affected 154 people in 34 states.
“This reminds us that simple hygiene practices such as hand washing are needed to protect both our furry friends and ourselves — our dogs are family, but even the healthiest pup can carry Salmonella,” he added.
Team leader Erika Ganda, an assistant professor of food animal microbiomes at Penn State, stressed the delicate balance between recognizing the risks and understanding the benefits of pet ownership.
“Our goal is not to discourage pet ownership but to ensure that people are aware of potential risks and take simple steps, like practicing good hygiene, to keep both their families and their furry companions safe,” she said in the news release.
Conclusion
As the interplay between human and animal health continues to expand, research like this emphasizes the need for ongoing vigilance, improved hygiene practices and comprehensive biosurveillance to manage zoonotic diseases effectively.
With adequate preventive measures, both humans and their beloved pets can enjoy the many benefits of their companionship safely.