Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a significant pathogen in both human and veterinary medicine. The importance of companion animals as reservoirs of human infections is currently unknown. The companion animals of 49 MRSA-infected outpatients (cases) were screened for MRSA carriage, and their bacterial isolates were compared with those of the infected patients using Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE). Rates of MRSA among the companion animals of MRSA-infected patients were compared to rates of MRSA among companion animals of pet guardians attending a “veterinary wellness clinic” (controls). MRSA was isolated from at least one companion animal in 4/49 (8.2%) households of MRSA-infected outpatients vs. none of the pets of the 50 uninfected human controls. Using PFGE, patient-pets MRSA isolates were identical for three pairs and discordant for one pair (suggested MRSA inter-specie transmission p-value = 0.1175). These results suggest that companion animals of MRSA-infected patients can be culture-positive for MRSA, representing a potential source of infection or re-infection for humans. Further studies are required to better understand the epidemiology of MRSA human-animal inter-specie transmission.
For over two decades, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has engaged in combatting antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through a One Health approach. Monitoring of antimicrobial use (AMU) is an important source of information that together with surveillance of AMR can be used for the assessment and management of risks related to AMR. In the framework of the Global Action Plan on AMR, the OIE has built a global database on antimicrobial agents intended for use in animals, supported by the Tripartite (World Health Organization (WHO), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and OIE) collaboration. The OIE launched its first annual data collection in 2015 and published the Report in 2016. The second Report, published in 2017, introduced a new methodology to report quantitative data in the context of relevant animal populations, and included for the first time an annual analysis of antimicrobial quantities adjusted for animal biomass on a global and regional level. A continuing annual increase of countries participating in the data collection demonstrates the countries engagement for the global development of monitoring and surveillance systems in line with OIE international standards. Where countries are not yet able to contribute their quantitative data, their reports also highlight the barriers that impede them in data collection, analysis and/or reporting. The OIE Reports show annual global and regional estimates of antimicrobial agents intended for use in animals adjusted for animal biomass, as represented by the quantitative data reported by countries to the OIE. The OIE advises caution in interpretation of estimates made in the first few years of reporting recognizing some important limitations faced by countries as they develop their monitoring systems. The OIE remains strongly committed to supporting its Members in developing robust and transparent measurement and reporting mechanisms for AMU.
There is increasing concern globally about the enormity of the threats posed by antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to human, animal, plant and environmental health. A proliferation of international, national and institutional reports on the problems posed by AMR and the need for antibiotic stewardship have galvanised attention on the global stage. However, the AMR community increasingly laments a lack of action, often identified as an ‘implementation gap’. At a policy level, the design of internationally salient solutions that are able to address AMR’s interconnected biological and social (historical, political, economic and cultural) dimensions is not straightforward. This multidisciplinary paper responds by asking two basic questions: (A) Is a universal approach to AMR policy and antibiotic stewardship possible? (B) If yes, what hallmarks characterise ‘good’ antibiotic policy? Our multistage analysis revealed four central challenges facing current international antibiotic policy: metrics, prioritisation, implementation and inequality. In response to this diagnosis, we propose three hallmarks that can support robust international antibiotic policy. Emerging hallmarks for good antibiotic policies are: Structural, Equitable and Tracked. We describe these hallmarks and propose their consideration should aid the design and evaluation of international antibiotic policies with maximal benefit at both local and international scales.
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