Occurrence of Pasteurella multocida in Dogs Being Trained for Animal-Assisted Therapy

Bibliographic Data

ID15513286
AuthorsAntonio Santaniello (0000-0002-2872-0646, University of Naples Federico II, corresponding author), Susanne Garzillo (University of Naples Federico II), Alessia Amato (0000-0002-9515-7363, University of Naples Federico II), Mario Sansone (0000-0003-3556-7771, University of Naples Federico II, corresponding author), V Fioretti (0000-0002-6082-5384, University of Naples Federico II), Alessandro Fioretti (Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, Federico II University of Naples, 80134 Naples, Italy), Lucia Francesca Menna (0000-0003-0209-9502, University of Naples Federico II)
Year2020
Volume17
Issue17
Pages6385-6385
Publication date2020-09-02
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph17176385
PMID32887269
OpenAlexW3082503292
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited37

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a non-pharmacological therapy aimed at people with physical and/or mental disabilities. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out interventions that guarantee its benefits for patients while also avoiding the risk of zoonoses due to contact with the animals or their mucous membranes. The present study aimed to detect the occurrence of Pasteurella multocida in the oral cavity of dogs attending a "dog educational centre" and training for AAT interventions. In addition, some of the potential predictable factors of infection (i.e., age, sex, breed, and living conditions) were analyzed. In total, 25/200 dogs examined (12.5%; 95% confidence interval = 8.4-18.1%) were positive for P. multocida , as confirmed by PCR. Sex, breed, and living conditions were risk factors associated with P. multocida as revealed by the logistic regression analysis. Specifically, cross-bred female dogs living prevalently outdoors were significantly associated with the presence of P. multocida ( p P. multocida in the oral cavity of dogs involved subsequently in AAT interventions, highlighting the potential risk of P. multocida infection in patients, often belonging to risk categories (e.g., children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals). Therefore, healthcare guidelines could be suggested to integrate the current literature related to the health check of dogs involved in AAT. In this way, it could be ensured that, even with bodily contact during AAT, the risk of pathogen transmission by the co-therapist dog can be avoided

Bacteria · Biology · Pasteurella multocida · Veterinary medicine · Medicine · Microbial infections and disease research · Poxvirus research and outbreaks · Rabies epidemiology and control · Genetics

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