Nontyphoidal Salmonella can cause serious illnesses, including diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, with some infections potentially life-threatening. The findings were made available ahead of the next edition of the journal Zoonoses and Public Health.
Salmonella infections in dogs can be clinical — showing signs or symptoms — or asymptomatic with numerous studies reporting Salmonella isolation from clinically healthy dogs, according to team leader Erika Ganda, assistant professor of food animal microbiomes, Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences.
A major concern, she explained, is the closeness of humans and pet dogs that creates ample opportunity for Salmonella “zoonosis” — the disease transmitted to humans from animals — and pet-management decisions involving food contamination, improper food handling or both can increase the likelihood of infection.
“We identified 16 nontyphoidal Salmonella isolates from humans closely related to more than one of six dog-associated strains,” said Sophia Kenney, a student in the molecular, cellular and integrative biosciences doctoral programme, and in the Department of Animal Science, who spearheaded the study.
“Collectively, our data emphasize the importance of antimicrobial stewardship and sustained biosurveillance beyond human and agriculture-associated veterinary medicine, using a ‘One Health’ framework, that accounts for all transmission points — including companion animals. One Health is an approach that recognizes that the health of people is closely connected to the health of animals and our shared environment.”
Antimicrobial stewardship in companion animal veterinary medicine is crucial for mitigating antimicrobial resistance within the One Health model, Kenney explained.
“Especially with Salmonella, we think about the role of agriculture and transmission — we think about eggs, we think about beef. But the thing is, we don’t let cows sleep in our beds or lick our faces, but we do dogs,” she said. “We have this close bond with companion animals in general, and we have a really close interface with dogs.
So, we asked the question: What’s the role of companion animals in transmission of zoonotic disease like Salmonella, since they can get it. Salmonella infections in dogs are not common but we’re aware of foodborne outbreaks related to pet treats or from contact with contaminated pet food and improper food handling.”
Study co-author Nkuchia M’ikanatha, lead epidemiologist for the Pennsylvania Department of Health and an affiliated researcher in Penn State’s Department of Food Science, said: “This reminds us that simple hygiene practices such as hand washing are needed to protect both our furry friends and ourselves — our dogs are family but even the healthiest pup can carry Salmonella.
”Salmonella is a quintessential human microbe, its presence intertwined with our history since the dawn of agriculture. Emerging research suggests this pathogen may have shadowed humanity for some 10,000 years, coinciding with the rise of animal domestication.
“At the same time, several studies highlight the significant physical and mental health benefits of owning a dog, including reduced stress and increased physical activity,” Ganda said.
“Our goal is not to discourage pet ownership but to ensure that people are aware of potential risks and take simple steps, like practicing good hygiene, to keep both their families and their furry companions safe.”
