Leah Toombs-Ruane

Citation

Thesis Title
Is the family pet a risk for multidrug resistant infections?

Read article at Massey Research Online:

Pets play an intimate role in the New Zealand home. With similar types of antibiotic resistant bacteria causing disease in humans and pets, the role that pets play in human disease warranted further investigation. In a prospective case-control study, Ms Toombs-Ruane investigated the risk factors for community-acquired urinary tract infections caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-(ESBL) and AmpC beta-lactamase-(ACBL) producing Enterobacteriaceae. The results of her research as a whole indicated that while pets may not be a major risk for acquisition of multi-drug resistant Enterobacteriaceae, they likely play a role in the transmission of bacteria within homes.

Supervisors
Professor Jackie Benschop
Associate Professor Jonathan Marshall
Dr Anne Midwinter
Distinguished Professor Nigel French
Professor Patrick Biggs
Dr Sara Burgess