Zoonotic transmission of Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus from dog to handler

[Emily]

http://jmm.sgmjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/jmm.0.012930-0v1
Zoonotic transmission of Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus from a dog to a handler
Yvonne Abbott1,5, Els Acke1, Saif Khan2, Eavan Muldoon3, Brian Markey1, Manuel Pinilla1, Finola Leonard1, Karen Steward4 and Andrew S. Waller4

1 University College Dublin;

2 Beacon Hospital, Dublin;

3 St.James's Hospital, Dublin;

4 Animal Health Trust

Received May 18, 2009
Accepted September 7, 2009

This is the first case report to describe the direct transmission of Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus from an infected dog to a handler who subsequently developed severe systemic infection. Characterisation of the haemolytic streptococci isolated from both patients, by phenotypic and molecular analysis, confirmed the canine and human isolates were identical.

This is that frightening hemorrhagic illness in dogs, I think.

http://www.vetsci.org/2009/pdf/269.pdf

I think this is what the veterinarian is describing below, though she says 'virus.'

http://www.petmd.com/blogs/fullyvetted/2009/august/will-swine-flu-make-leap-pets
"Bailey: I had a chance to see that virus attack first-hand while touring a local shelter last year. It was HORRIBLE. And yes, all the veterinarians along for the tour looked at one another in horror at the thought of a canine version of Ebola. That's exactly what it looked like. The word is out. The University of Florida has taken the lead and is doing a great job disseminating the information among us."

It all gets a bit confusing, because another horse strep jumped to dogs, same name but subspecies 'equi.' They call it 'strangles' horses. I don't think that one causes the bleeding as in the subspecies zoo that they said jumped to the dog handler.

Here's a link about the horse to dog strangles if anyone is interested.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1489480/

 

[Emily]

Re: Zoonotic transmission of Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus from dog to handler

Looks like this strep hit a shelter in Ohio. The Worms and Germs blog author describes the original source newspaper article as confusing, and it is, but most likely it's this form of strep. The original source says:
"Veterinarians said the dogs died from a rare form of streptococcus, one that led to hemorragic pneumonia. Within 10-12 hours, veterinarians said the dog's chest cavities filled up with blood, leading to their death."

http://www.wormsandgermsblog.com/2009/12/articles/animals/dogs/another-fatal-strep-outbreak-at-a-shelter/