Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Multi-drug-resistant Acinetobacter outbreak in dogs and cats at vet
By Kuzi, S et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2016·Hebrew University Veterinary Teaching Hospital·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Multi-drug-resistant Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-Acinetobacter baumannii complex infection outbreak in dogs and cats in a veterinary hospital.
Plain-English summary
A serious outbreak of a drug-resistant bacteria called Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-Acinetobacter baumannii affected 19 dogs and 4 cats in a veterinary hospital, leading to symptoms like fever, discharge from breathing tubes, and severe infections such as pneumonia and urinary tract infections. Unfortunately, 70% of the affected animals did not survive, particularly those with respiratory issues. To combat the outbreak, the hospital implemented strict cleaning protocols and educated staff on hygiene, which significantly reduced the number of new infections.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Members of the Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-Acinetobacter baumannii complex cause severe outbreaks in humans, and are increasingly reported in animals. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: A retrospective study, describing a severe outbreak in dogs and cats caused by a multidrug resistant member of the Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-Acinetobacter baumannii complex in a veterinary hospital, between July 2010 and November 2012. RESULTS: The study included 19 dogs and 4 cats. Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-Acinetobacter baumannii complex bacteria were isolated from urine (9 animals), respiratory tract (11), tissues (3) and blood (1). The most common infection-associated findings included fever, purulent discharge from endotracheal tubes, hypotension, and neutropaenia. Infections led to pneumonia, urinary tract infection, cellulitis and sepsis. Infection was transmitted in the intensive care unit, where 22 of 23 animals were initially hospitalised. The mortality rate was 70% (16 of 23 animals), and was higher in cases of respiratory infection compared to other infections. Aggressive environmental cleaning and disinfection, with staff education for personal hygiene and antisepsis, sharply decreased the infection incidence. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Health care-associated outbreaks with multidrug resistant Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-Acinetobacter baumannii complex in dogs and cats are potentially highly fatal and difficult to eradicate, warranting monitoring, antiseptic techniques and judicious antibiotic use.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27709647/