Abbott Y, Kirby B M, Karczmarczyk M, Markey B K, Leonard F C, Fitzgerald S
Unit of Veterinary Surgery, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
J Small Anim Pract. 2009 Apr;50(4):194-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.2008.00639.x. Epub 2008 Nov 13.
This report describes the first clinical case, in Europe, of a high-level gentamicin-resistant and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium infection in a dog. The aim of this report is to alert the veterinary profession to high-level gentamicin-resistant and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium in companion animal patients. Multi-drug resistant strains of this pathogen are the cause of considerable problems in human hospitals and for community healthcare professionals worldwide. The potential for a similar impact within veterinary medicine is discussed.