Risk of MRSP Spreading from Animals Recovered from Infection

Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) carriage has been shown to occur in over 60% of dogs that have recovered from MRSP infection and may persist for many months. Although asymptomatic for the patient, carriage a) contributes to the spread of MRSP to other dogs through direct or indirect transmission, b) carrier dogs may pose a risk to in-contact humans through zoonotic transmission if humans are immunocompromised or present with wounds or other breaks in skin barrier function and c) MRSP carrier dogs are themselves at increased risk of subsequent MRSP infection should the opportunity for invasive disease arise. In humans, S. aureus nasal carriage has long been recognized and extensively studied as a major risk factor for subsequent S. aureus infection and spread of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA).

Strategies for decolonisation of MRSP carrier dogs may help to limit the spread of MRSP. Decolonisation can either rely on natural loss of MRSP due to bacterial interaction. Alternatively, topical antimicrobial therapy has been used to eliminate MRSP from carrier sites but efficacy, duration of effect and the use of antimicrobials on otherwise healthy animals remain controversial.

This session will outline published data on MRSP carriage in dogs alongside data from the widely studied area of MRSA carriage in humans in order to identify areas of relevance for extrapolation. The session will then present available information on the background and current knowledge of decolonisation to facilitate informed discussion and responsible use of antimicrobials for cases where decolonisation may be considered.