**3. The importance of the different animal species**

Various species have been identified as host and carriers of MRSA in different countries and settings, including dogs, cats, sheep, chickens, horses, pigs, rabbits, seals, psittacine birds, and one turtle, bat, guinea pig and chinchilla (Morgan, 2008). With differences between strains isolated from pets, wild animals and cattle, it is important to evaluate each species individually, because they present peculiar characteristics, including the series of resistance genes. Thus, the concern for MRSA types in animals has grown considering their role as a potential reservoir or vector for human infection by MRSA in the community. However the data available on MRSA transmission between humans and companion animals are limited, and further epidemiological studies are needed on this transmission and its impact on public health (Loeffler & Lloyd, 2010).
