Cross-infection between animals and man: possible feline transmission of Staphylococcus aureus infection in humans?
An outbreak of epidemic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus occurred on a rehabilitation geriatric ward. Intensive screening of patients and staff revealed an unusually high carriage rate in the nursing staff (38%), thought to be related to a ward cat which was heavily colonized from the environment. Infection control measures and removal of the cat led to rapid resolution of the outbreak.
Scott
G M
GM
Department of Microbiology, University College Hospital, London.
Thomson
R
R
Malone-Lee
J
J
Ridgway
G L
GL
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D002353:Carrier State; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000635:transmission*; D002415:Cats; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005853:Geriatrics; D006757:Hospital Units; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission* / Q000662:veterinary