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Re: [pyrnet] Staph Infections - Immune System
On 12 Aug 00, at 16:37, PyrMom@aol.com wrote:
> Pyr lovers,
>
> Hope you can shed some light on a problem my Paddy has. As you may be
> aware, the staph bacteria is a common bacteria found in mammals. Paddy is
> not able to fight off the staph bacteria and has constant rashes and
> infections from this.
The following is an article that was posted to another list, you
might want to share this with your vet.
METHICILLIN-RESISTANT STAPH. AUREUS, DOGS - CANADA
August 2, 2000
ProMED-mail
http://www.promedmail.org
Date: 27 Jul 2000
From: Dr. Hani Dick
Methicillin-resistant _Staphylococcus aureus_ (MRSA) Infections In
Canine
Recently we have isolated MRSA from 2 dogs in Ontario, Canada. One
isolate
was from an infected eye and was only susceptible to gentamicin,
tetracycline and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. The other isolate was
from
an infected ear and was susceptible to tetracycline. Both isolates
were
susceptible to vancomycin. Methicillin-resistant _Staphylococcus
aureus_
is an organism acquiring multiple resistance not only to beta-lactam
antibiotics but also to a wide variety of antimicrobials. In the
worst
case scenario the only effective antimicrobial is vancomycin [In
fact,
strains of _S. aureus_ have been isolated from humans that are not
susceptible to vancomycin. - Man. Ed. DS]. The organism is usually
isolated from hospitalized patients [Recently community-acquired MRSA
has
become an increasing problem. - DS] and spread nosocomially either by
health care providers or by the use of common equipment between
patients.
This organism does not impose a greater risk than a
methicillin-susceptible strain except for the limitation of treatment
choices which requires constant monitoring (vancomycin can cause
renal
toxicity) and prohibitive cost. In hospitals, patients colonized or
infected with MRSA are placed under strict [usually contact]
isolation and
various measures for limiting the spread of the organism are
instituted.
To my knowledge, the incidence of MRSA in animals has never been
documented in Canada or anywhere else. Barrier precautions must be
practiced by all health care providers. Assuming that all patients
are
potentially infectious, in order to limit the spread of such
organisms to
the health care providers or to other animals. Once such an organism
establishes itself in the facility it becomes increasingly difficult
to
get rid of. Therefore, the following are recommendations, which will
reduce the risk of spreading such isolates in the facility: Hand
washing
between patients whether gloves are used or not. Gloving, gowning and
wearing mask if in contact with any body substance (blood, fluids,
urine
etc.). Disinfecting or sterilizing shared equipment which are used on
multiple animals such as thermometers, etc. Cleaning and disinfection
all
surfaces where the animal contacted. If the infected animal is
hospitalized, make sure it is isolated from other animals in order to
decrease the risk of spreading the infection to other animals. Owners
must
be instructed on appropriate infection control procedures especially
hand
washing after handling the animal. Hani L. Dick, Ph.D. Head of
Microbiology Vita-Tech Laboratories Markham, Ontario Canada, L3R 5V2
[I
suspect there are a number of bacteria with drug resistance. However,
appropriate client education is extremely necessary and often
overlooked,
especially with a zoonotic infection. - Mod.TG] [Clinical
laboratories
should be aware that dogs commonly are more commonly colonized with
_Staphylococcus intermedius_ than with _S. aureus_. _S. intermedius_
is an
organism that is not easily distinguished from _S. aureus_, as both
are
coagulase-positive but it tends to be less resistant to antibiotics
than
is _S. aureus_. It is rarely reported to cause infections in humans,
usually as a result of dog bites. I would be interested to know if
the
identification of _S. aureus_ conclusively ruled out _S.
intermedius_. -
Man. Ed. DS]
Judith
jsmiller@newmex.com
Taos, New Mexico
http://home.flash.net/~pyrs/judy/judy.htm