Daniel O Morris1, Meghan F Davis2, Brian S Palmeiro3, Kathleen O'Shea4, Shelley C Rankin4. 1. Department of Clinical Studies - Philadelphia, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3900 Delancey Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA. 2. Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA. 3. Lehigh Valley Veterinary Dermatology, 4580 Crackersport Road, Allentown, PA, 18104, USA. 4. Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3900 Delancey Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen of the canine ear canal and occupies aquatic habitats in the environment. Nosocomial and zoonotic transmission of P. aeruginosa have been documented, including clonal outbreaks. HYPOTHESIS/ OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this study was to assess various environmental exposures as potential risk factors for canine Pseudomonas otitis. It was hypothesized that isolates derived from infected ears would be clonal to isolates derived from household water sources and the mouths of human and animal companions of the study subjects. ANIMALS: Seventy seven privately owned dogs with otitis were enrolled, along with their human and animal household companions, in a case-control design. METHODS: Data on potential risk factors for Pseudomonas otitis were collected. Oral cavities of all study subjects, their human and animal companions, and household water sources were sampled. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis was used to estimate clonal relatedness of P. aeruginosa isolates. RESULTS: In a multivariate model, visiting a dog park was associated with 77% increased odds of case status (P = 0.048). Strains clonal to the infection isolates were obtained from subjects' mouths (n = 18), companion pets' mouths (n = 5), pet owners' mouths (n = 2), water bowls (n = 7) and water taps (n = 2). Clonally related P. aeruginosa isolates were obtained from dogs that had no clear epidemiological link. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Genetic homology between otic and environmental isolates is consistent with a waterborne source for some dogs, and cross-contamination with other human and animal members within some households.
BACKGROUND:Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen of the canine ear canal and occupies aquatic habitats in the environment. Nosocomial and zoonotic transmission of P. aeruginosa have been documented, including clonal outbreaks. HYPOTHESIS/ OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this study was to assess various environmental exposures as potential risk factors for caninePseudomonasotitis. It was hypothesized that isolates derived from infected ears would be clonal to isolates derived from household water sources and the mouths of human and animal companions of the study subjects. ANIMALS: Seventy seven privately owned dogs with otitis were enrolled, along with their human and animal household companions, in a case-control design. METHODS: Data on potential risk factors for Pseudomonasotitis were collected. Oral cavities of all study subjects, their human and animal companions, and household water sources were sampled. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis was used to estimate clonal relatedness of P. aeruginosa isolates. RESULTS: In a multivariate model, visiting a dog park was associated with 77% increased odds of case status (P = 0.048). Strains clonal to the infection isolates were obtained from subjects' mouths (n = 18), companion pets' mouths (n = 5), pet owners' mouths (n = 2), water bowls (n = 7) and water taps (n = 2). Clonally related P. aeruginosa isolates were obtained from dogs that had no clear epidemiological link. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Genetic homology between otic and environmental isolates is consistent with a waterborne source for some dogs, and cross-contamination with other human and animal members within some households.
Authors: Søren Saxmose Nielsen; Dominique Joseph Bicout; Paolo Calistri; Elisabetta Canali; Julian Ashley Drewe; Bruno Garin-Bastuji; José Luis Gonzales Rojas; Christian Gortázar; Mette Herskin; Virginie Michel; Miguel Ángel Miranda Chueca; Barbara Padalino; Paolo Pasquali; Helen Clare Roberts; Hans Spoolder; Karl Ståhl; Antonio Velarde; Arvo Viltrop; Christoph Winckler; Francesca Baldinelli; Alessandro Broglia; Lisa Kohnle; Julio Alvarez Journal: EFSA J Date: 2022-05-03