Pets found to carry antibiotic-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae

Research conducted by Bournemouth University has identified that domestic pets, specifically dogs and cats, can carry antibiotic-resistant strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae. A study analyzing hundreds of samples from pets worldwide revealed that approximately 87 percent of the bacteria found in animal organisms belong to strains that also infect humans.

Nearly half of the samples contained genes resistant to key medical antibiotics. While the presence of these bacteria does not imply immediate infection for owners, the bacteria can act as opportunistic pathogens if they enter parts of the body such as the lungs, urinary tract, or bloodstream, potentially causing pneumonia, urinary tract infections, or life-threatening sepsis.

The study noted that this phenomenon appears to be more widespread and dangerous in cats.