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Veterinary microbiology2009; 137(3-4); 397-401; doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2009.01.034

Clonal spread of methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci among horses, personnel and environmental sites at equine facilities.

Abstract: A cross-sectional study was carried out to investigate species distribution and clonality of methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (MRCoNS) isolated from the nasal cavity of 39 horses and 32 veterinary or caretaker staff, and from 76 environmental surfaces at three equine facilities in Denmark. MRCoNS obtained by selective isolation were characterised by 16S rDNA sequencing, PCR detection of mecA, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). MRCoNS were found in 32 (82%) horses, 20 (63%) humans and 50 (66%) environmental samples. The most common species was S. vitulinus (n=56), followed by S. sciuri (n=25), S. haemolyticus (n=14). Undistinguishable PFGE patterns were observed in MRCoNS of equine, human and environmental origin. A S. vitulinus clone and a S. haemolyticus clone were isolated from multiple horses, staff members and environmental sites within a farm and a veterinary hospital, respectively. The results indicated that methicillin-resistant strains of these two species can be shared by and possibly exchanged between horses and personnel, either directly or through contaminated environments.
Publication Date: 2009-01-30 PubMed ID: 19251386DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2009.01.034Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

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The research article discusses a study that investigated the spread of methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (MRCoNS) among horses, people, and environmental sites in three equine facilities in Denmark. It found that these bacteria could be transferred between horses, humans, and the environment.

Study Design and Implementation

  • This investigation was conducted as a cross-sectional study focused on examining the species distribution and clonality of MRCoNS. These bacteria were isolated from the nasal cavity of 39 horses and 32 staff members (veterinary or caretakers), and from 76 different environmental surfaces across three equine facilities in Denmark.
  • The methodology included the selective isolation of MRCoNS, followed by their characterization. This was achieved through 16S rDNA sequencing, the PCR detection of mecA (a gene that confers resistance to methicillin in staphylococci), and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), a technique used for generating a DNA fingerprint for bacterial typing.

Findings of the study

  • MRCoNS were found in a significant number of horses (82%), humans (63%), and environmental samples (66%). This suggests a high prevalence of these bacteria in equine facilities.
  • The most frequently encountered species were S. vitulinus, followed by S. sciuri, and then S. haemolyticus.
  • Through PFGE analysis, the research established that identical PFGE patterns were observed in MRCoNS across equines, humans, and environmental sources. This finding indicates that the same strain of MRCoNS could spread across these three different entities.
  • A single strain or clone of S. vitulinus and S. haemolyticus was isolated from multiple sources (horses, staff members, and varied environmental sites) within a farm and a veterinary hospital, respectively.

Implications of the study

  • These findings provide evidence that methicillin-resistant strains of S. vitulinus and S. haemolyticus can be shared by, and potentially transferred between horses and personnel. This can occur either directly or indirectly through a contaminated environment.
  • This study underlines the need for vigilance in equine settings to prevent the spread of resistant bacteria, as such clonal spreading could contribute to increasing resistance development, complicating treatments, and endangering both equine and human health.

Cite This Article

APA
Moodley A, Guardabassi L. (2009). Clonal spread of methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci among horses, personnel and environmental sites at equine facilities. Vet Microbiol, 137(3-4), 397-401. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2009.01.034

Publication

ISSN: 1873-2542
NlmUniqueID: 7705469
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 137
Issue: 3-4
Pages: 397-401

Researcher Affiliations

Moodley, Arshnee
  • Department of Disease Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Stigbøjlen 4, Frederiksberg C 1870, Denmark. asm@life.ku.dk
Guardabassi, Luca

    MeSH Terms

    • Animals
    • Carrier State
    • Denmark / epidemiology
    • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
    • Horse Diseases / microbiology
    • Horse Diseases / transmission
    • Horses
    • Housing, Animal
    • Humans
    • Methicillin Resistance
    • Staphylococcal Infections / epidemiology
    • Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology
    • Staphylococcal Infections / transmission
    • Staphylococcal Infections / veterinary
    • Staphylococcus / drug effects
    • Staphylococcus / physiology

    Citations

    This article has been cited 18 times.
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