Transfer of Staphylococci and Related Genetic Elements

Abstract Although the role of animals in the transmission of staphylococci and related genetic mobile elements has been widely established throughout the years, and documented in the scientific literature, the importance of the household environment where pets live in enabling transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius to man should still be emphasized. Household-associated bacterial microbiota might play a role in the transfer of strains and/or their antibiotic resistance genes and could behave as a reservoir for recolonization of people and a source for recurrent staphylococcal infections in the community.