Veterinary RecordVolume 184, Issue 26 p. 805-806 Letters and notices Call for coordinated antimicrobial approach at veterinary diagnostic laboratories Fergus Allerton, Corresponding Author Fergus Allerton Chairman fergus.allerton@willows.uk.net SAMSoc, c/o Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service, Highlands Road, Shirley, Solihull, West Midlands, B90 4NHemail: fergus.allerton@willows.uk.netSearch for more papers by this authorJohn Fishwick, John Fishwick Senior Vice President BVA, 7 Mansfield Street, London, W1G 9NQSearch for more papers by this authorSusan Paterson, Susan Paterson President BSAVA, Woodrow House, 1 Telford Way, Quedgeley, Gloucester, GL2 2ABSearch for more papers by this authorRenate Weller, Renate Weller President BEVA, Mulberry House, 31 Market St, Fordham, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB7 5LQSearch for more papers by this authorIan Battersby, Ian Battersby Davies Veterinary SpecialistsSearch for more papers by this authorRonan Doyle, Ronan Doyle MRC Laboratory of Molecular BiologySearch for more papers by this authorDavid Gould, David Gould MRC Laboratory of Molecular BiologySearch for more papers by this authorSarah Caddy, Sarah Caddy MRC Laboratory of Molecular BiologySearch for more papers by this authorMark Dunning, Mark Dunning School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of NottinghamSearch for more papers by this authorHeidi J. Featherstone, Heidi J. Featherstone The Ralph Veterinary Referral CentreSearch for more papers by this authorJon Hardy, Jon Hardy Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral ServiceSearch for more papers by this authorAndrew Kent, Andrew Kent Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral ServiceSearch for more papers by this authorBrigite Pedro, Brigite Pedro Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral ServiceSearch for more papers by this authorKinley Smith, Kinley Smith Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral ServiceSearch for more papers by this authorFaye Swinbourne, Faye Swinbourne Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral ServiceSearch for more papers by this authorJames Harris, James Harris White Cross VetsSearch for more papers by this authorChristine Heinrich, Christine Heinrich Eye Veterinary ClinicSearch for more papers by this authorPeri Lau-Gillard, Peri Lau-Gillard Vale ReferralsSearch for more papers by this authorAnette Loeffler, Anette Loeffler RVCSearch for more papers by this authorRebecca Maddinson, Rebecca Maddinson Dragon Veterinary CentreSearch for more papers by this authorCarly Mason, Carly Mason SurreySearch for more papers by this authorIan Ramsey, Ian Ramsey University of Glasgow Small Animal HospitalSearch for more papers by this authorAlison Ridyard, Alison Ridyard University of Glasgow Small Animal HospitalSearch for more papers by this authorLouise Robin, Louise Robin Camlas Petcare VetsSearch for more papers by this authorChristopher Scudder, Christopher Scudder Southfields Veterinary SpecialistsSearch for more papers by this authorMayank Seth, Mayank Seth Dick White ReferralsSearch for more papers by this authorSimon Tappin, Simon Tappin Dick White ReferralsSearch for more papers by this authorDavid Singleton, David Singleton Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network, University of LiverpoolSearch for more papers by this authorHeather Smith, Heather Smith Woodcroft ReferralsSearch for more papers by this authorPeter Southerden, Peter Southerden Eastcott Veterinary Clinic and HospitalSearch for more papers by this authorJames Warland, James Warland University of CambridgeSearch for more papers by this authorMartin Whitehead, Martin Whitehead Chipping Norton Veterinary HospitalSearch for more papers by this authorJohn Williams, John Williams Vets Now 24/7 Emergency and Specialty Hospital, ManchesterSearch for more papers by this author Fergus Allerton, Corresponding Author Fergus Allerton Chairman fergus.allerton@willows.uk.net SAMSoc, c/o Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service, Highlands Road, Shirley, Solihull, West Midlands, B90 4NHemail: fergus.allerton@willows.uk.netSearch for more papers by this authorJohn Fishwick, John Fishwick Senior Vice President BVA, 7 Mansfield Street, London, W1G 9NQSearch for more papers by this authorSusan Paterson, Susan Paterson President BSAVA, Woodrow House, 1 Telford Way, Quedgeley, Gloucester, GL2 2ABSearch for more papers by this authorRenate Weller, Renate Weller President BEVA, Mulberry House, 31 Market St, Fordham, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB7 5LQSearch for more papers by this authorIan Battersby, Ian Battersby Davies Veterinary SpecialistsSearch for more papers by this authorRonan Doyle, Ronan Doyle MRC Laboratory of Molecular BiologySearch for more papers by this authorDavid Gould, David Gould MRC Laboratory of Molecular BiologySearch for more papers by this authorSarah Caddy, Sarah Caddy MRC Laboratory of Molecular BiologySearch for more papers by this authorMark Dunning, Mark Dunning School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of NottinghamSearch for more papers by this authorHeidi J. Featherstone, Heidi J. Featherstone The Ralph Veterinary Referral CentreSearch for more papers by this authorJon Hardy, Jon Hardy Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral ServiceSearch for more papers by this authorAndrew Kent, Andrew Kent Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral ServiceSearch for more papers by this authorBrigite Pedro, Brigite Pedro Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral ServiceSearch for more papers by this authorKinley Smith, Kinley Smith Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral ServiceSearch for more papers by this authorFaye Swinbourne, Faye Swinbourne Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral ServiceSearch for more papers by this authorJames Harris, James Harris White Cross VetsSearch for more papers by this authorChristine Heinrich, Christine Heinrich Eye Veterinary ClinicSearch for more papers by this authorPeri Lau-Gillard, Peri Lau-Gillard Vale ReferralsSearch for more papers by this authorAnette Loeffler, Anette Loeffler RVCSearch for more papers by this authorRebecca Maddinson, Rebecca Maddinson Dragon Veterinary CentreSearch for more papers by this authorCarly Mason, Carly Mason SurreySearch for more papers by this authorIan Ramsey, Ian Ramsey University of Glasgow Small Animal HospitalSearch for more papers by this authorAlison Ridyard, Alison Ridyard University of Glasgow Small Animal HospitalSearch for more papers by this authorLouise Robin, Louise Robin Camlas Petcare VetsSearch for more papers by this authorChristopher Scudder, Christopher Scudder Southfields Veterinary SpecialistsSearch for more papers by this authorMayank Seth, Mayank Seth Dick White ReferralsSearch for more papers by this authorSimon Tappin, Simon Tappin Dick White ReferralsSearch for more papers by this authorDavid Singleton, David Singleton Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network, University of LiverpoolSearch for more papers by this authorHeather Smith, Heather Smith Woodcroft ReferralsSearch for more papers by this authorPeter Southerden, Peter Southerden Eastcott Veterinary Clinic and HospitalSearch for more papers by this authorJames Warland, James Warland University of CambridgeSearch for more papers by this authorMartin Whitehead, Martin Whitehead Chipping Norton Veterinary HospitalSearch for more papers by this authorJohn Williams, John Williams Vets Now 24/7 Emergency and Specialty Hospital, ManchesterSearch for more papers by this author First published: 29 June 2019 https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.l4383Citations: 2Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. 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Risk factors for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in dogs and cats were investigated in an unmatched case-control study. A total of 197 animals from 150 veterinary practices across the United Kingdom was enrolled, including 105 MRSA cases and 92 controls with methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) infection. The association of owners and veterinarian staff with the human healthcare sector (HCS) and animal-related characteristics such as signalment, antimicrobial and immunosuppressive therapy, and surgery were evaluated as putative risk factors using logistic regression. We found that significant risk factors for MRSA infection were the number of antimicrobial courses (p = 0.005), number of days admitted to veterinary clinics (p = 0.003) and having received surgical implants (p = 0.001). In addition, the odds of contact with humans which had been ill and admitted to hospital (p = 0.062) were higher in MRSA infected pets than in MSSA controls. The risk factors identified in this study highlight the need to increase vigilance towards identification of companion animal groups at risk and to advocate responsible and judicious use of antimicrobials in small animal practice.

Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nasal carriage on admission to hospital remains one of the most important risk factors for subsequent infection. Identification of high risk groups for MRSA carriage is vital for the success of infection control programmes. Veterinary staff may be one such risk group but little is known about pet owners and the role of contact with infected pets. As part of a UK-wide case-control study investigating risk factors for MRSA infection in dogs and cats between 2005 and 2008, 608 veterinary staff and pet owners in contact with 106 MRSA and 91 meticillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA)-infected pets were screened for S. aureus nasal carriage. Laboratory isolation and characterisation included salt broth enrichment, standard and automated microbiological tests, demonstration of the S. aureus-specific thermonuclease gene (nuc) and of mecA, and polymerase chain reaction-based lineage characterisation. MRSA carriage was 12.3% in veterinarians attending MRSA-infected animals and 7.5% in their owners. In the MSSA control group, MRSA carriage was 4.8% in veterinary staff and 0% in owners. Veterinary staff carried MRSA more frequently than owners (odds ratio: 2.33; 95% confidence interval: 1.10-4.93). All MRSA from humans and all but one animal MRSA were CC22 or CC30, typical for hospital MRSA in the UK. This study indicates for the first time an occupational risk for MRSA carriage in small animal general practitioners. Veterinary staff and owners of MRSA-infected pets are high risk groups for MRSA carriage despite not having direct hospital links. Strategies to break the cycle of MRSA infection must take these potential new reservoirs into account.

The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to determine the factors affecting the time until adoption of dogs re-homed by Dogs Trust, a UK charity. There were 13,338 records included in the study, representing 11,663 dogs. Data were extracted from the Dogs Trust's database between February 2001 and June 2004 representing all re-homing centres in the UK using the database during this time period. A survival analysis was conducted using Kaplan-Meier plots and multivariable Cox regression. The results of the study showed that the median time till adoption for all dogs was 28 days (95% CI 28-29 days). The variables which affected the time till adoption were breed, purebred status, size, sex, neuter status on arrival at a centre, age, coat colour, veterinary history and re-homing centre. It was suggested that temperament could be an important risk factor but this variable had to be excluded from the multivariable analysis. Dogs from the gundog and utility breed groups and purebred dogs were re-homed at the fastest rate.

OBJECTIVES The occurrence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and the possible relatedness between human and animal isolates were investigated among veterinary staff and hospitalized animals in a referral small animal hospital in the UK. METHODS A total of 300 swab samples were taken from nasal and oral mucosae of 78 veterinary staff, 45 dogs, 12 cats and from 30 environmental surfaces. Staphylococci were isolated by selective enrichment and characterized by biochemical tests and antimicrobial disc susceptibility testing. MRSA isolates were genotypically confirmed by PCR and typed by PFGE. RESULTS MRSA was isolated from 14 staff (17.9%), four dogs (9%), and three environmental sites (10%) yielding a total of 28 MRSA isolates. PFGE analysis revealed that most MRSA isolates were indistinguishable (56%) or closely related (26%) to EMRSA-15, one of the two epidemic MRSA strains dominant in UK hospitals. Like EMRSA-15, the predominant strain isolated from staff, dogs and environmental sites was resistant to fluoroquinolones in addition to all beta-lactams. CONCLUSIONS The study provides evidence of EMRSA-15 mucosal carriage in veterinary staff and hospitalized dogs, with the risk of MRSA carriage in veterinary staff being significantly higher than reported for the UK healthy community. EMRSA-15 was predominant in the hospital environment, including humans, dogs, and inanimate objects, but the mode by which the strain was introduced and spread remains uncertain.