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Home / Equine Research Bank / Asian Pac J Trop Biomed / A comparative evaluation of methicillin-resistant staphyloco...
Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine2013; 3(3); 169-173; doi: 10.1016/S2221-1691(13)60044-1

A comparative evaluation of methicillin-resistant staphylococci isolated from harness racing-horses, breeding mares and riding-horses in Italy.

Abstract: To investigate the prevalence of methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS) which is a potencial risk factor of transmission between animals and humans in different types of horses (harness racing-horses, breeding mares and riding-horses) and to compare the antimicrobial resistance of the isolates. Methods: A total of 191 healthy horses, housed at different locations of the Campania Region (Italy), were included in the study. Nasal swab samples were collected from each nostril of the horses. The mecA gene was detected by a nested PCR technique. Antibiotic susceptibility was tested for each isolate. Results: MRS was isolated from nasal samples of 68/191 (35.6%; 95% CI: 28.9%-42.9%) healthy horses. All isolates were coagulase-negative with the exception of two coagulase-positive MRS strains, identified as Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, 2/83 (2.4%; 95% CI: 0.4%-9.2%). Interestingly, both coagulase-positive MRS isolates were from harness racing-horses. These horses also presented a significantly higher positivity for MRS (53.3%; 95% CI: 40.1%-66.1%) than the breeding mares and riding-horses groups. Antibiotic susceptibility testing showed difference between isolates due to different origins except for an almost common high resistance to aminopenicillins, such as ampicillin and amoxicillin. Conclusions: It can be concluded that harness racing-horses may act as a significant reservoir of MRS as compared to breeding mares and riding-horses.
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Publication Date: 2013-04-27 PubMed ID: 23620832PubMed Central: PMC3631744DOI: 10.1016/S2221-1691(13)60044-1Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research investigates the prevalence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococci (MRS), a type of bacteria resistant to certain antibiotics, in different types of horses in Italy. They also evaluated the antimicrobial resistance of these bacteria.

Methods of Research

  • The study was conducted in the Campania region of Italy on a total of 191 healthy horses which includes harness racing-horses, breeding mares and riding-horses.
  • Nasal swab samples were collected from each nostril of each horse to test for the presence of MRS.
  • The presence of the mecA gene, which is responsible for methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus bacteria, was detected using a nested PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) technique.
  • Antibiotic susceptibility was tested for each isolate to evaluate their resistance to different antibiotics.

Results of the Study

  • MRS was found in nasal samples of 68 out of the 191 horses (approximately 36%).
  • All of the MRS isolates were coagulase-negative except for two that were coagulase-positive. Coagulase is a protein enzyme produced by several microorganisms, including Staphylococcus, and the presence of coagulase-positive staphylococci is generally connected with pathogenic strains of the bacteria.
  • The two exceptions, both coagulase-positive MRS strains were identified as Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and were found in harness racing-horses.
  • Harness racing-horses showed a higher positivity rate for MRS (53.3%) compared to the breeding mares and riding-horses groups.
  • The antibiotic susceptibility tests showed differences between isolates from different horse groups, with the exception of a common high resistance to aminopenicillins such as ampicillin and amoxicillin.

Conclusions from the Study

  • The study concluded that harness racing-horses may serve as a significant reservoir for MRS compared to breeding mares and riding-horses.
  • This is of significant importance as MRS is a potent risk factor for transmission between animals and humans.
  • This finding underscores the need for further research and vigilance to prevent potential outbreaks and the spread of methicillin-resistant bacteria.

Cite This Article

APA
Mallardo K, Nizza S, Fiorito F, Pagnini U, De Martino L. (2013). A comparative evaluation of methicillin-resistant staphylococci isolated from harness racing-horses, breeding mares and riding-horses in Italy. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed, 3(3), 169-173. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2221-1691(13)60044-1

Publication

Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine
ISSN: 2221-1691
NlmUniqueID: 101557706
Country: China
Language: English
Volume: 3
Issue: 3
Pages: 169-173

Researcher Affiliations

Mallardo, Karina
  • Department of Pathology and Animal Health, Infectious Diseases Section, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy, Via F. Delpino 1-80137 Naples, Italy.
Nizza, Sandra
    Fiorito, Filomena
      Pagnini, Ugo
        De Martino, Luisa

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
          • Coagulase
          • Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial
          • Female
          • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
          • Horse Diseases / microbiology
          • Horses
          • Italy / epidemiology
          • Male
          • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
          • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification
          • Microbial Sensitivity Tests / veterinary
          • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
          • Prevalence
          • Staphylococcal Infections / epidemiology
          • Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology
          • Staphylococcal Infections / veterinary

          Conflict of Interest Statement

          Conflict of interest statement: We declare that we have no conflict of interest.

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          Citations

          This article has been cited 10 times.
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