The study reveals that dogs and cats can harbor antibiotic-resistant bacteria, particularly Klebsiella pneumoniae, which poses risks to both animal and human health. While antibiotic resistance is typically viewed as a hospital-related issue, this research highlights its prevalence outside healthcare settings, especially in pets.
Researchers analyzed 712 K. pneumoniae genomes from dogs and cats across 25 countries, finding a significant overlap with strains present in humans—87.2% of animal samples belonged to types also found in people. Cats exhibited higher rates of multidrug resistance compared to dogs, with 80% of cat samples carrying genes for resistance against multiple antibiotics.
The study indicates that these bacteria can be present even in healthy animals, raising concerns about their potential transmission among humans and pets, though it does not confirm direct transmission. With high-risk strains identified, the findings underscore the necessity of including pets in efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance.
The research is published in Transboundary and Emerging Diseases and emphasizes the importance of understanding how antibiotic resistance spreads across species.
