A new study from Penn State reveals that household dogs can be a risk factor for the spread of antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella to humans. The researchers found that dogs can carry various strains of Salmonella, some of which are closely related to those found in humans. The proximity of dogs to humans and the use of antibiotics in companion animal medicine highlight the importance of hygiene and antimicrobial stewardship to mitigate zoonotic disease transmission.
Penn StateJan 9 2025 Antibiotic-resistant Salmonella is a serious public health concern that has increased in recent years as the bacteria have developed ways to survive drugs. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people can get Salmonella from eating contaminated food products or from infected people or animals - typically via unintentional contact with feces via touching hands or stroking a pet.
To investigate antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella and the zoonotic potential of nontyphoidal Salmonella isolated from dogs and humans, the researchers leveraged existing biosurveillance infrastructure. Using the U.S. Food & Drug Administration's Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network, they identified all nontyphoidal Salmonella strains isolated from domestic dogs between May 2017 and March 2023.
"We identified 16 nontyphoidal Salmonella isolates from humans closely related to more than one of six dog-associated strains," said Sophia Kenney, a student in the molecular, cellular and integrative biosciences doctoral program, and in the Department of Animal Science, who spearheaded the study.
"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 said. "Salmonella is a quintessential human microbe, its presence intertwined with our history since the dawn of agriculture. Emerging research suggests this pathogen may have shadowed humanity for some 10,000 years, coinciding with the rise of animal domestication.
Antimicrobial Resistance Salmonella Zoonosis Dogs Public Health One Health
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