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MONDAY, June 22, (News Locale) - The emergence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections is a concern at most hospitals and the need to tackle these infections at the community level is also urgent. Now a new worrisome trend has emerged with MRSA infections being shared between pets and human handlers, according to a new study by researchers at the University Of South Florida College Of Medicine.
In a review of existing studies on the issue, the researchers said that infections of the skin and soft-tissue have become common with most bacteria being passed from human handlers to the pets. "Pet owners are often unaware of the potential for transmission of life-threatening pathogens from their canine and feline companions," the researchers write in the latest issue of The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
On an annual basis, dog and cat bites account for 1% of emergency room visits in the United States and Europe. Most of the visits are from kids aged between 7-9 years. Because the height is reachable most dog bites are on the face and neck.
Unless these wounds are looked at and treated professionally, there is every chance of developing severe infections caused by Pasteurella, Streptococcus, Fusobacterium, and Capnocytophaga bacteria. If neglected over a long time, these infections can lead to sepsis and even death. Patients who have leukemia and are on steroids may develop serious infections caused by Bacteroides, Fusobacterium, Neisseria, and Prevotella.
The researchers say that the risk of MRSA infections being passed to and fro from pets to owners is a realistic worry due to the prevalence of community-acquired MRSA. "MRSA-associated infections in pets are typically acquired from their owners and can potentially cycle between pets and their human acquaintances," they added.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA is caused by a particularly mean strain of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Over the years, staph bacteria have gradually become resistant to all, but the most lethal antibiotics. MRSA basically spreads by contact so people can get it if they touch a person who harbors the bacteria on their skin. MRSA is resistant to treatment with all of the beta-lactam family of antibiotics including methicillin, amoxicillin, penicillin, oxacillin, and many other broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Because there is no drug that can cure MRSA excepting for Vancomycin, it becomes very important to prevent the spread of the superbug infection. The above study is an eye-opener for consumers as well as medical professionals. Doctors will now need to be careful when treating dog and cat bites and take the possibility of superbug infection into consideration.
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