A new study investigating a multistate outbreak of multidrug-resistant Salmonella infections linked to pig ear pet treats highlights the interconnectedness of human health and pet ownership, emphasizing the need for stringent surveillance of pet food products. The study was funded by the Food and Drug Administration’s Animal Feed Regulatory Program Standards and the FDA’s Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN). From June 2015 to Sept.
2019, 154 human cases of Salmonella infection were reported across 34 states. The investigation identified seven Salmonella serotypes genetically related to samples from pig ear pet treats. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of isolates was used to predict antimicrobial resistance.
Notably, 107 of 122 patients interviewed reported dog contact, and 65 of 97 reported contact with pig ear pet treats. Salmonella was isolated from 137 pig ear treats, including imports from Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia, and from four dogs. WGS predicted that 77 percent of human isolates and 43 percent of pig ear treat isolates were resistant to three or more antimicrobial classes.
The study, published in the journal Lancet Public Health , examines the first documented multistate outbreak in the U.S. linked to pig ear pet treats.
The outbreak investigation involved multiple agencies, including the CDC, FDA, and state health departments, tracing the sources of contaminated pig ear treats and evaluating their antimicrobial resistance profil.
