A companion animal may be colonized or infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria that can be shared with human contacts. It can be difficult to know whether the pet owner or companion animal is the source for a resistant organism.
Patient selection: person with a companion animal
Common bacteria involved:
(1) methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
(2) methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP)
(3) vancomycin-resistant Enterococci
(4) ESML or carbapenemase producing Enterobacteriaceae
(5) Gram-negative bacilli (Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter)
Risk factors for antibiotic-resistant bacteria associated with a companion animal:
(1) recent antibiotic therapy
(2) hospitalization in a veterinary hospital
(3) history of previous colonization
(4) exposure to healthcare workers
(5) exposure to medical hospitals
(6) immunosuppression
(7) extensive wounds or surgery
(8) foreign travel
(9) colonization or infection of the pet owner or family with antibiotic-resistant bacteria
