What is the most common etiologic agent of bacterial osteomyelitis in companion animals in Arizona?

What is the most common etiologic agent of bacterial osteomyelitis in companion animals in Arizona?

• A. Staphylococcus sp
• B. Streptococcus sp
• C. Escherichia coli
• D. Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Answer: (A)

Staphylococcus species are the most common culprits because they are normal skin and mucous membrane inhabitants that readily reach bone after trauma or from nearby infected tissue. Their ability to adhere to bone surfaces, invade tissue, and form biofilms on implants makes them especially capable of establishing and sustaining osteomyelitis, so they appear as the frequent cause in dogs and cats. Other organisms like Streptococcus species, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa can cause bone infections, but they occur less often overall. Pseudomonas, for example, is more often linked to puncture wounds or implants, and E. coli is less typically associated with bone infection in pets.

Staphylococcus species are the most common culprits because they are normal skin and mucous membrane inhabitants that readily reach bone after trauma or from nearby infected tissue. Their ability to adhere to bone surfaces, invade tissue, and form biofilms on implants makes them especially capable of establishing and sustaining osteomyelitis, so they appear as the frequent cause in dogs and cats. Other organisms like Streptococcus species, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa can cause bone infections, but they occur less often overall. Pseudomonas, for example, is more often linked to puncture wounds or implants, and E. coli is less typically associated with bone infection in pets.