One of the main concerns among scientists and researchers of bacteria is when they become resistant to drugs. Therefore, a recent investigation highlights the transmission of superbugs from domestic animals to humans.
Super-resistant bacteria
Students at the Lisbon Study Center developed a study to analyze the sharing of pathogens between animals and their owners and the transmission of superbugs by domestic animals.
About the research
The sample included 78 people, five cats and 38 dogs living in Portugal. Only dogs from England participated, totaling seven, and eight humans. For analysis, fecal samples from all participants were used in search of Enterobacteriaceaewhich are resistant to common antibiotic drugs.
The focus of analysis was on those resistant to third-generation cephalosporins, commonly used to treat meningitis, for example.
The results showed that cats (3), dogs (21) and humans (28) had Enterobacteriaceae. Furthermore, the isolated genetic material present in pets was similar to that of humans.
The researchers’ main conclusion is that animals can increase the spread of resistant bacteria. Therefore, they should be included in assessments and treatment.
This is an important finding for preventing superbugs. Antibiotic resistance is a serious problem for the population, since on average infections caused by these superbugs already kill 700,000 people a year worldwide.
But this number could still increase if precautions are not taken correctly by 2050. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the death toll could reach approximately ten million.
The proliferation of these resistant microorganisms is one of the greatest threats to humans and animals.
To help prevent infection
Simple hygiene practices should include washing hands properly, especially after handling hygiene materials and after collecting feces from cats and dogs.
Between April 15 and 18, the results of this research were presented at the Microbiology Congress in Copenhagen.
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