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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Microbiol / An outbreak of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus s...
Veterinary microbiology2005; 114(1-2); 160-164; doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2005.11.054

An outbreak of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin infections resulting from horse to human transmission in a veterinary hospital.

Abstract: There are increasing reports of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection and colonization in horses and evidence that MRSA can be transmitted between horses and humans. The objective of this study was to investigate reports of skin infection in personnel working with a foal with community-associated MRSA colonization and subsequent infection. Clinical diagnostic specimens were collected from individuals reporting skin lesions following contact with the affected foal. Nasal and groin screening swabs were collected from other veterinary personnel that attended a voluntary screening clinic. MRSA skin infections were identified in three neonatal intensive care unit personnel. Nasal colonization was subsequently identified in 10/103 (9.7%) other veterinary hospital personnel. Isolates were indistinguishable by pulsed field gel electrophoresis, classified as Canadian epidemic MRSA-5, possessed SCCmecIV, were negative for the Panton-Valentine leukocidin and were multidrug resistant. Transmission to veterinary personnel despite short-term contact with standard protective barriers highlights the potential importance of MRSA as an emerging zoonotic pathogen, and indicates that further evaluation of interspecies transmission of MRSA and means to prevent zoonotic infection are required.
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Publication Date: 2005-12-27 PubMed ID: 16384660DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2005.11.054Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

The research paper investigates an outbreak of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin infections transmitting from a horse to humans in a veterinary hospital, establishing it as an emerging zoonotic pathogen.

Investigation of Outbreak Source

  • The research began as an investigation into reports of skin infections among personnel working with a foal showing symptoms of MRSA infection. Clinical diagnostic specimens were collected from any staff reporting skin lesions after coming into contact with the horse.
  • The study further examined nasal and groin swabs from other hospital personnel at a voluntary screening clinic to assess the extent of potential transmission within the hospital.

Identified MRSA Cases and Characteristics

  • MRSA skin infections were identified in three members of the neonatal intensive care unit staff. Further, nasal colonization was identified in 10 out of 103 (9.7%) of the other hospital personnel, indicating a significant rate of transmission.
  • Through laboratory testing, all identified isolates (bacterial cultures isolated for analysis) were the same by pulsed field gel electrophoresis, a technique used for genetic mapping. They were classified as Canadian epidemic MRSA-5.
  • The isolates contained the gene SCCmecIV and were found to be negative for the Panton-Valentine leukocidin, a toxin associated with more aggressive forms of the disease. The isolates were also found to be multidrug resistant.

Implications and Further Action Needed

  • The transmission of MRSA to veterinary personnel, even with short-term contact and use of standard protective barriers, underscores its potential as an emerging zoonotic pathogen – one that can be transmitted from animals to humans.
  • This investigation indicates the need for further studies on the interspecies transmission of MRSA and effective measures to prevent zoonotic infection, particularly in environments like veterinary hospitals where such transmission is likely.

Cite This Article

APA
Weese JS, Caldwell F, Willey BM, Kreiswirth BN, McGeer A, Rousseau J, Low DE. (2005). An outbreak of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin infections resulting from horse to human transmission in a veterinary hospital. Vet Microbiol, 114(1-2), 160-164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2005.11.054

Publication

Veterinary microbiology
ISSN: 0378-1135
NlmUniqueID: 7705469
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 114
Issue: 1-2
Pages: 160-164

Researcher Affiliations

Weese, J S
  • Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ont., Canada N1G 2W1. jsweese@uoguelph.ca
Caldwell, F
    Willey, B M
      Kreiswirth, B N
        McGeer, A
          Rousseau, J
            Low, D E

              MeSH Terms

              • Adult
              • Animals
              • Animals, Newborn
              • Community-Acquired Infections
              • Disease Outbreaks
              • Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field / methods
              • Female
              • Fusidic Acid / administration & dosage
              • Horse Diseases / microbiology
              • Horse Diseases / transmission
              • Horses
              • Hospitals, Animal
              • Humans
              • Methicillin Resistance
              • Mupirocin / administration & dosage
              • Rifampin / administration & dosage
              • Staphylococcal Skin Infections / drug therapy
              • Staphylococcal Skin Infections / epidemiology
              • Staphylococcal Skin Infections / microbiology
              • Staphylococcal Skin Infections / transmission
              • Staphylococcus aureus / classification
              • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
              • Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification
              • Treatment Outcome
              • Zoonoses / microbiology
              • Zoonoses / transmission

              Citations

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