Low risk of transmission of pathogenic bacteria between children and the assistance dog during animal-assisted therapy if strict rules are followed

A Edner; M Lindström-Nilsson; Å Melhus

doi:10.1016/j.jhin.2021.04.025

Low risk of transmission of pathogenic bacteria between children and the assistance dog during animal-assisted therapy if strict rules are followed

J Hosp Infect. 2021 Sep:115:5-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2021.04.025. Epub 2021 Apr 30.

Authors

A Edner¹, M Lindström-Nilsson², Å Melhus³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. Electronic address: Ann.Edner@kbh.uu.se.
² Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
³ Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Clinical Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.

PMID: 33940092
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2021.04.025

Abstract

This study explored the bacterial transmission between patients and dogs during dog-assisted therapy (DAT). Twenty children (55% girls) with a median age of 7 years (range 3-17 years) were included. Two dogs assisted and the conditions were more restricted hygienically with dog 2. Samples from child and dog were collected and cultured before and after each DAT visit. The results showed that dog 1 transmitted bacteria repeatedly to the children. No bacteria were transmitted with dog 2. In conclusion, exchange of bacteria can occur between dog and child during DAT, but it can be reduced by simple infection control measures.

Keywords: Assistance dog; Bacterial transmission; Dog-assisted therapy; Hygiene routines; Zoonotic infections.

MeSH terms

Animal Assisted Therapy*
Animals
Bacteria
Child
Dogs
Humans
Service Animals