Drug-Resistant Bacteria May Be Jumping Between Pets and Humans, Scientists Warn

A genetic study found that A. baumannii strains from cats, dogs, and horses were much closer to human hospital strains than strains from livestock, poultry, or wildlife.

Some companion-animal isolates also carried carbapenem-resistance genes, raising concern that pets could help spread hard-to-treat bacteria across species.

The study did not prove direct pet-to-human transmission, but it suggests pets may be a more plausible bridge than farm animals.

The findings are important for infection control, resistance surveillance, and public health risk assessment.