[Cats and dogs as a reservoir for Staphylococcus aureus].

For many years, Staphylococcus aureus MRSA was thought to happen only in humans. It has now become an increasingly urgent problem in veterinary medicine, with MRSA infections reported in pets as well as farm animals. The animals may be contaminated, colonized or infected with MSSA as well as MRSA strains. Pets are a potential reservoir for human infection. Transmission of such pathogen occurs between pets, owners and veterinary staff. This is why, is need to generate data regarding both the levels of carriage of such bacteria in pets and the risk factors associated with the transfer of the bacteria to humans, who have a contact with infected pets.