Pre-harvest food risks 1: Companion Animals

Question 1

Define zoonosis

Answer 1

diseases which are transmitted naturally between vertebrate animals and humans

Question 2

Define carrier

Answer 2

pathogens isolated from animal/human without causing clinical signs of disease in the host

Question 3

Define colonised host

Answer 3

no clinical sign son host like carrier but implies that microbes multiply on the host. longitudinal sampling required to prove

Question 4

Define reservoir

Answer 4

the spread of an organism within the reservoir host to maintain the pathogen indefinitely

Question 5

Example sof zoonoses in companion animal practice

Answer 5

rabies, salmonellosis, brucellosis, MRSA, TB, worms (tapeworms, roundworms), pasteurellosis, toxoplasmosis, leptospirosis, psittacosis, fleas, cheyletielliosis, sarcoptic mange (fox mange), dermatophytosis (ringworm)

Question 6

What are ESKAPE pathogens?

Answer 6

Clinically relevant multidrug resistant pathogens in human medicine:
Enterococcus faecium
Staph aureus
Klebsiella pneumonia
Acinetobacter baumannii
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Enterobacter spp

Question 7

What is ESBL E.coli?

Answer 7

extended spectrum b-lactamase (i.e. resistant to this)

Question 8

In which species can MRS be found?

Answer 8

humans, cats, dogs and others

Question 9

Outline MRSA infection

Answer 9

human hospital associated
community associated
livestock associated

Question 10

Which ABs is MRSA resistant to?

Answer 10

broad b-lactam and often also fluoroquinolone

Question 11

What is reverse zoonotic transmission?

Answer 11

a spill over of disease from human hospitals to animals, e.g. MRSA

Question 12

What is MRSP

Answer 12

Methicillin-resistant Staph pseudintermedius. It is dog-adapted and a vet nosocomial infection. highly drug resistant

Question 13

What is the result of MRSA?

Answer 13

extended length of stay in hospital
treatment options limited
cost
increased mortality not proven

Question 14

Implication - MRSA in small animal practice - 4

Answer 14

most infections can be treated successfully
genetic typing suggest transmission in both directions
MRSA is primarily a human hospital pathogen
owner’s perceptions may vary

Question 15

What zoonoses are small furries prone to?

Answer 15

ringworm

Question 16

When might reptile/fish zoonoses be transmitted?

Answer 16

cleaning of tanks and equipment

Question 17

When may psittacosis be transmitted?

Answer 17

wide dispersal of pathogens during flight.

Question 18

How much does reptile-related salmonellosis account for of all Salmonellosis cases in US?

Answer 18

3-5%

Question 19

What causes fish tank granuloma?

Answer 19

Mycobacterium marinum

Question 20

How many fish, reptiles and birds are owned in the UK?

Answer 20

> 40 million

Question 21

What are your responsibilities as vets in relation to zoonoses? 3

Answer 21

1. ) Early suspicion and correct diagnosis
2. ) Client communication
3. ) Prevention of spread

Question 22

What can ringworm be indistinguishable from?

Answer 22

FAD

Question 23

Who are at risk of zoonotic infections? What should you advise?

Answer 23

compromised host susceptibility
close contact
very young or elderly
specific risk factors (wounds, cuts, bites, AM therapy)

REMEMBER that owners may not be aware that drugs they are on are immunocompromising.

ALWAYS refer to their GP.

Question 24

What are other sources of info? 3

Answer 24

Public Health England

Department of Health

Question 25

How can a zoonotic disease be prevented from spreading? 4

Answer 25

patient management
practice hygiene
personal hygiene
responsible AM use

Question 26

Are uniform and protective clothing the same?

Answer 26

No

Question 27

How long can infectious diseases survive on dry surfaces?

Answer 27

Most gram + = many months
Many gram - = many months
Pseudomonas aeruginsoa = 5 weeks on dry, 16 months on wet
Spore-forming = many months

Question 28

What do staphylococci adhere to?

Answer 28

squames and hair. Can survive on dry surfaces >12 months

Question 29

Outline the traffic light isolation protocol.

Answer 29

RED - patient muct be isolated unless clinically unstable
AMBER - barrier nurse in wards/icu, await microbiology/ virology exam
GREEN - patient can be nursed in wards, isolation not required

Question 30

What are the visiting requirements for patients in isolation? 8

Answer 30

clinician arranges, informs reception
designated personnel for visit
client must have protocols explained
client must sign 'Form of Agreement'
must wear full isolation protective clothing
must be supervised at all times
must follow hand-washing protocols
visit and communication recorded on CRIS

Question 31

How should a practice see an animal with a known zoonotic infection?

Answer 31

at end of day, patient should wait outside, disinfection before next patient, isolation of patients and barrier nursing, move within surgery on trolley or in basket, special care in procedure areas.

Question 32

How many people develop and die from zoonoses each year?

Answer 32

in EU, 25000 people die from MDR/year
estimated cost is 1.5 billion euros
5-12.5% people entering hospitals develop an infection

Question 33

What are risk factors for multi-drug resistance?

Answer 33

advanced age
underlying disease and illness severity
inter-institutional patient transfer
prolonged hospitalisation
GIT surgery or transplantation
exposure to invasive devices (central venous catheters)
exposure to AMs

Question 34

What is ‘PROTECT’?

Answer 34

BSAVA policy:
Practice policy
Reducing prohylaxis
Other options
Types of bacteria and drugs
Employing the correct AB
Cytology and culture
Treating effectively

Question 35

What are the clinical signs of rabies?

Answer 35

lethargy, inappetance, diarrhoea, vomiting, behavioural change, salivation, focal or unilateral cranial nerve involvement.

BE AWARE OF THESE!!!

Question 36

What % of wound infections are due to carrier strains of S.aureus in dogs?

Answer 36

80%