mrsp - university of glasgow · commonly found on the skin, mouth, nose and gastrointestinal of...
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MRSPADVICE FOR OWNERS
Your pet has been diagnosed with a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) infection. MRSP is not the same as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcusaureus (MRSA), which affects humans.
This information sheet is to supplement the information that has been discussed by the attending clinician or qualified member of staff.
What is Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (S. pseudintermedius)?S. pseudintermedius is a species of bacteria commonly found on the skin, mouth, nose and gastrointestinal of healthy dogs and cats. This bacteria was previously known as Staphylococcus intermedius (MRSI).
Typically it causes no problems at all, but it is an opportunistic pathogen, meaning that if an animal gets injured or sick for another reason, S. pseudintermedius can take advantage of the body’s weakened defences and cause infection and illness.
What is MRSP?MRSP stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, a form of the bacteria that is highly resistant to many antibiotics, making the eradication of these pathogens challenging. Although MRSP infections are difficult, most animals with them can still be treated successfully.
How is MRSP different from MRSA? Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is a cousin bacteria of MRSP, and the resistant form of Staphylococcus aureus.
S. aureus is a very commonly found bacteria on the skin, mouth, nose and GI tract of humans.
Am I at risk of getting MRSP?MRSP is very rarely contagious to people, the same way that MRSA is very rarely contagious to pets. However, they are zoonotic diseases, meaning that transmission between both spices is possible, although we are probably exposed to the bacterium on a regular basis without causing problems.
On a scale of 1 (low risk) to 10 (high risk), the risk of a healthy human adult becoming infected with MRSP is between a 1 and 2. The risk of an immunocompromised person (i.e. a person with AIDS/HIV, cancer or organ transplant) or a young child becoming infected is 3.
How is MRSP diagnosed and treated? MRSP is diagnosed by culture and sensitivity test performed by a laboratory. It usually takes 3-6 days to get the results back. MRSP infections do not look any different from any other type of infection.
Even though all strains of MRSP are resistant to commonly used antibiotics (i.e. penicillins), bacterial culture allows identification of effective antibiotic treatment options. With appropriate antibiotic selection, most MRSP infections can be successfully treated within weeks.
What should I do if my pet has an MRSP infection? The most important thing is not to panic, and to strictly follow the instructions that you have been given. Most MRSP infections can be treated successfully.
Ensure that you completely finish any antibiotic prescriptions even if your pet seems to be better before the end of the treatment. Re-evaluate with your veterinarian as directed, so they can determine if the infection has completely resolved before the end of the treatment.
Wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer after exposure to your pet. Hand hygiene is the simplest and most practical way to prevent transmission of MRSP between animals and people.
Avoid direct contact with the infected area of your pet. Bandage any open draining wounds as directed by your veterinarian. Do not allow your pet to sleep in the bed or lick you while being treated for this infection. Use gloves when cleaning any wound or changing bandages.
Avoid contact between your pet and people with compromised immune systems. This is because they are more susceptible to many kinds of infections.
Clean bedding, bowls and toys frequently during treatment.
Questions for my veterinarian:
MRSP
Small Animal HospitalSchool of Veterinary Medicine University of Glasgow Bearsden RoadGlasgowG61 1QH
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