Journal article
Microbial Sharing between Pediatric Patients and Therapy Dogs during Hospital Animal-Assisted Intervention Programs
Microorganisms (Basel), Vol.9(5), p.1054
05/13/2021
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9051054
PMCID: PMC8153335
PMID: 34068292
Abstract
Microbial sharing between humans and animals has been demonstrated in a variety of settings. However, the extent of microbial sharing that occurs within the healthcare setting during animal-assisted intervention programs is unknown. Understanding microbial transmission between patients and therapy dogs can provide important insights into potential health benefits for patients, in addition to addressing concerns regarding potential pathogen transmission that limits program utilization. This study evaluated for potential microbial sharing between pediatric patients and therapy dogs and tested whether patient-dog contact level and a dog decolonization protocol modified this sharing. Patients, therapy dogs, and the hospital environment were sampled before and after every group therapy session and samples underwent 16S rRNA sequencing to characterize microbial communities. Both patients and dogs experienced changes in the relative abundance and overall diversity of their nasal microbiome, suggesting that the exchange of microorganisms had occurred. Increased contact was associated with greater sharing between patients and therapy dogs, as well as between patients. A topical chlorhexidine-based dog decolonization was associated with decreased microbial sharing between therapy dogs and patients but did not significantly affect sharing between patients. These data suggest that the therapy dog is both a potential source of and a vehicle for the transfer of microorganisms to patients but not necessarily the only source. The relative contribution of other potential sources (e.g., other patients, the hospital environment) should be further explored to determine their relative importance.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Microbial Sharing between Pediatric Patients and Therapy Dogs during Hospital Animal-Assisted Intervention Programs
- Creators
- Kathryn R Dalton - Johns Hopkins UniversityKathy Ruble - Johns Hopkins MedicineLaurel E Redding - University of PennsylvaniaDaniel O Morris - University of PennsylvaniaNoel T Mueller - Johns Hopkins UniversityRoland J Thorpe Jr - Johns Hopkins UniversityJacqueline Agnew - Johns Hopkins UniversityKaren C Carroll - Johns Hopkins MedicinePaul J Planet - University of PennsylvaniaRonald C Rubenstein - Washington University in St. LouisAllen R Chen - Johns Hopkins UniversityElizabeth A Grice - University of PennsylvaniaMeghan F Davis - Johns Hopkins University
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Microorganisms (Basel), Vol.9(5), p.1054
- DOI
- 10.3390/microorganisms9051054
- PMID
- 34068292
- PMCID
- PMC8153335
- ISSN
- 2076-2607
- eISSN
- 2076-2607
- Grant note
- R01 HD097692 / NICHD NIH HHS R21 AI144561 / NIAID NIH HHS K01 HL141589 / NHLBI NIH HHS T42 OH0008428 / NIOSH CDC HHS
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 05/13/2021
- Academic Unit
- Occupational and Environmental Health
- Record Identifier
- 9984701826002771
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