Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Dog Owners and Non-dog Owners

David V. Perry and Isabel H. Perry Research FundThe objective of this study is to determine if there is a relationship between dog ownership and Staphylococcus aureus (SA) or Methicillin -resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization. While there are human health benefits related to pet ownership, there is also concern that animals may contribute to the transmission of disease causing pathogens. The theoretical framework utilized was syndemics, which organizes the interaction of dogs and humans with environment and social factors. Participants were recruited from 160 families living in suburbs of a large midwestern city. A total of 489 subjects were enrolled, 280 of which were dog owners, 209 were non- dog owners. Samples were collected from 123 dogs. An interdisciplinary team performed home visits. Participants were asked about human health, dog health, environment, and interactions with their dog. Samples from nares were collected from the human participants. Nasal and peri- anal samples were collected from dogs. All samples were processed for colonization of SA and MRSA. A chi- squared test was used to test for differences between dog owners and non- dog owners. One hundred of 280 (35.7%) dog owners tested positive for SA colonization, while sixty of 209 (28.7%) non dog owners tested positive (p=.062). Ninety of 280 (32.1%) tested positive for methicillin - sensitive Staphylococcus aureus colonization, while fifty three out of 209 (25.4%) non dog owners tested positive (P=.062). Eleven out of 280 dog owners tested positive for MRSA (3.9%), while 2 out of 209 non- dog owners tested positive for MRSA (1.0%) (p= .037). Higher rates of MRSA colonization was observed in owners who groom their dog once a month (58.6%) compared to those who groom their dogs once a day (1.8%). Those who sometimes wash their hands after interaction had a greater occurrence of MRSA colonization (5.3%) than those who often (2.0%) or always wash their hands after interaction (2.7%). The results of this study suggests that there is a relationship between owing a pet dog and MRSA colonization, but not MSSA colonization. Certain behaviors, including playing with a pet dog more frequently, hugging and kissing your dog, and interacting with the dog while relaxing may make pet dog owners more likely to be colonized.Grant Number 1R03HD070633-01 from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development and Mars-WALTHAM®.Award Number UL1RR025755, KL2RR025754, and TL1RR025753 from the National Center For Advancing Translational Sciences.No embargoAcademic Major: Nursin