Hong Kong Med J 2008;14(Suppl 5):S15-8
Investigation of the role of dogs as reservoirs of Staphylococcus aureus and the transmission of strains between pet owners and their dogs
M Boost, M O'Donoghue, A James
Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
1. Dogs may serve as a reservoir for Staphylococcus aureus and could be a source of infections due to this organism in humans.
2. Health care workers (HCWs) seem to be a major source of S aureus for colonisation of dogs, with both methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant strains.
3. De-colonisation of dogs owned by methicillin-resistant S aureus–colonised HCWs should be carried out at the same time as decolonisation of respective HCWs and other family contacts.
2. Health care workers (HCWs) seem to be a major source of S aureus for colonisation of dogs, with both methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant strains.
3. De-colonisation of dogs owned by methicillin-resistant S aureus–colonised HCWs should be carried out at the same time as decolonisation of respective HCWs and other family contacts.