Alert: they detect bacteria dangerous for humans in dog food

A group of researchers from University of Porto (Portugal) analyzed 55 dog food samples of 25 brands —Available nationally and internationally—, including 14 samples of frozen raw food, and it turned out that 30 samples (54%) contained enterococcal bacteria, which can live in the human intestines without causing damage, but poses a danger to other parts of the body.

Over 40% of these bacteria were resistant to a wide range of antibiotics, such as erythromycin, tetracycline, gentamicin or ciprofloxacin. 23% of enterococci were resistant to linezolidA last resort antibiotic used in severe cases when all others have failed.

Multidrug-resistant enterococci were found in all samples of raw food and only in three of the raw foods.

Genetic analysis has revealed that some of these multidrug resistant bacteria are identical to those discovered in patients hospital in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands. Identical bacteria have also been found in farm animals and residual water UK.

Threat to international public health

In their study, cited in EurekAlert and which will be presented at this year’s European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, the researchers warn against “threat to international public health” which involves the transmission of superbugs found in dog food to humans through the handling of dog food or droppings.

Researchers call on EU regulators to raise awareness of problem, recommend dog owners always wash your hands with soap after handling dog food or picking up dog feces.

Drug-resistant infections are the cause of some 700,000 deaths every year in the world and the UN warns that this figure could reach 10 millions by 2050.