Cross-sectional study of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in horses. Part 2: Risk factors for faecal carriage of antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli in horses.
Abstract: The increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistant bacteria such as antimicrobial-resistant and extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli represents a significant problem for human and veterinary medicine. Despite this, the risk factors for faecal carriage of such bacteria by horses in the UK, particularly those in the wider community, have not been well described. Objective: To characterise the risk factors for faecal carriage of antimicrobial-resistant E. coli amongst horses in the mainland UK. Methods: A cross-sectional study of horses recruited by 65 randomly selected equine veterinary practices was conducted, with a faecal sample collected and self-administered questionnaire completed by the horse owner. Faecal samples were cultured for antimicrobial-resistant E. coli, with isolates confirmed as E. coli having their antimicrobial resistance profile determined. Multilevel, multivariable logistic regression models were used to investigate risk factors for the carriage of antimicrobial-resistant E. coli in the sample population. Results: Faecal samples and completed questionnaires were obtained for 627 horses located on 475 premises. Recent hospitalisation, contact with specific types of nonequid animals, the type of premises, the surrounding land use, the reason for veterinary treatment received in the last 6 months and antimicrobial treatment in the previous 10 days were identified as risk factors for many of the antimicrobial-resistance outcomes considered. Being stabled on the same yard as a recently hospitalised horse was identified as a risk factor for increased risk of carriage of ESBL-producing E. coli. Conclusions: Increasing antimicrobial resistance may have significant health implications for the horse population of Great Britain. This form of epidemiological investigation highlights potential risk factors that may be controlled to limit the extent of the problem.
© 2011 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2011-08-18 PubMed ID: 21848536DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00440.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This study examined the risk factors associated with the presence of antimicrobial-resistant E. coli in horse feces in the UK. The researchers collected samples from horses across various locations, identifying several risk factors, including recent hospital visits and contact with certain animals, which can contribute to the carriage of these resistant bacteria.
Methodology
- The researchers conducted a cross-sectional study which involved collecting fecal samples from horses.
- The sampling population for the study was obtained from 65 randomly chosen equine veterinary practices.
- Horse owners were also asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire.
- The fecal samples were cultured for antimicrobial-resistant E. coli, and the bacterial isolates were confirmed as E. coli. Their antimicrobial resistance profile was later determined.
- Using multilevel, multivariable logistic regression models, the researchers evaluated different risk factors for the carriage of antimicrobial-resistant E. coli within the sampled population.
Findings
- Fecal samples and questionnaires were collected from 627 horses across 475 different premises.
- The study identified several risk factors that increase the likelihood of horses carrying these resistant bacteria. These included recent hospitalization, interaction with certain non-equine animals, the nature of the premises and surrounding land use, and the reason for recent veterinary treatments.
- Antimicrobial treatment received by the horses within the last 10 days also emerged as a significant risk factor.
- The study also found that horses stabled in the same yard as a recently hospitalized horse were at an increased risk of carrying ESBL-producing E. coli.
Implications
- The study suggests that the rise in antimicrobial resistance might pose serious health issues for the horse population in Great Britain.
- This epidemiological investigation helps identify potential controllable risk factors to limit the spread of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria among horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Maddox TW, Pinchbeck GL, Clegg PD, Wedley AL, Dawson S, Williams NJ.
(2011).
Cross-sectional study of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in horses. Part 2: Risk factors for faecal carriage of antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli in horses.
Equine Vet J, 44(3), 297-303.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00440.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- National Centre for Zoonosis Research, School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Liverpool, UK. thomas.maddox@liverpool.ac.uk
MeSH Terms
- Animal Husbandry
- Animals
- Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
- Carrier State / epidemiology
- Carrier State / microbiology
- Carrier State / veterinary
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Data Collection
- Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial
- Escherichia coli Infections / epidemiology
- Escherichia coli Infections / microbiology
- Escherichia coli Infections / veterinary
- Feces / microbiology
- Female
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horses
- Housing, Animal
- Male
- Risk Factors
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- United Kingdom / epidemiology
Citations
This article has been cited 14 times.- Thomson K, Eskola K, Eklund M, Suominen K, Määttä M, Junnila J, Nykäsenoja S, Niinistö K, Grönthal T, Rantala M. Characterisation of and risk factors for extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-E) in an equine hospital with a special reference to an outbreak caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae ST307:CTX-M-1. Acta Vet Scand 2022 Feb 9;64(1):4.
- Shnaiderman-Torban A, Navon-Venezia S, Paitan Y, Archer H, Abu Ahmad W, Bonder D, Hanael E, Nissan I, Zizelski Valenci G, Weese SJ, Steinman A. Extended spectrum β lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae shedding by race horses in Ontario, Canada. BMC Vet Res 2020 Dec 9;16(1):479.
- de Lagarde M, Fairbrother JM, Arsenault J. Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Characterization of Multidrug Resistant and ESBL/AmpC Producing Escherichia coli in Healthy Horses in Q, Canada, in 2015-2016. Animals (Basel) 2020 Mar 20;10(3).
- Shnaiderman-Torban A, Navon-Venezia S, Dor Z, Paitan Y, Arielly H, Ahmad WA, Kelmer G, Fulde M, Steinman A. Extended-Spectrum β-lactamase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae Shedding in Farm Horses Versus Hospitalized Horses: Prevalence and Risk Factors. Animals (Basel) 2020 Feb 11;10(2).
- Elias L, Gillis DC, Gurrola-Rodriguez T, Jeon JH, Lee JH, Kim TY, Lee SH, Murray SA, Ohta N, Scott HM, Wu J, Rogovskyy AS. The Occurrence and Characterization of Extended-Spectrum-Beta-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli Isolated from Clinical Diagnostic Specimens of Equine Origin. Animals (Basel) 2019 Dec 21;10(1).
- de Lagarde M, Larrieu C, Praud K, Schouler C, Doublet B, Sallé G, Fairbrother JM, Arsenault J. Prevalence, risk factors, and characterization of multidrug resistant and extended spectrum β-lactamase/AmpC β-lactamase producing Escherichia coli in healthy horses in France in 2015. J Vet Intern Med 2019 Mar;33(2):902-911.
- Sallé G, Cortet J, Bois I, Dubès C, Guyot-Sionest Q, Larrieu C, Landrin V, Majorel G, Wittreck S, Woringer E, Couroucé A, Guillot J, Jacquiet P, Guégnard F, Blanchard A, Leblond A. Risk factor analysis of equine strongyle resistance to anthelmintics. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2017 Dec;7(3):407-415.
- Baede VO, Broens EM, Spaninks MP, Timmerman AJ, Graveland H, Wagenaar JA, Duim B, Hordijk J. Raw pet food as a risk factor for shedding of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in household cats. PLoS One 2017;12(11):e0187239.
- Arnold KE, Williams NJ, Bennett M. 'Disperse abroad in the land': the role of wildlife in the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance. Biol Lett 2016 Aug;12(8).
- Wagner S, Gally DL, Argyle SA. Multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli from canine urinary tract infections tend to have commensal phylotypes, lower prevalence of virulence determinants and ampC-replicons. Vet Microbiol 2014 Mar 14;169(3-4):171-8.
- Southwood LL, Long A, Perez J, Daniel S, Bittinger K, Aitken M, Redding L. Effect of surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis duration for colic surgery on complications and resistome. Equine Vet J 2026 Mar;58(2):390-403.
- Eskola K, Aimo-Koivisto E, Heikinheimo A, Mykkänen A, Hautajärvi T, Grönthal T. Prevalence, risk factors, and characterisation of extended-spectrum β-lactamase -producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-E) in horses entering an equine hospital and description of longitudinal excretion. BMC Vet Res 2024 Sep 13;20(1):412.
- Bullone M, Bellato A, Robino P, Nebbia P, Morello S, Marchis D, Tarducci A, Ru G. Prevalence and risk factors associated with nasal carriage of methicillin-resistant staphylococci in horses and their caregivers. Vet Res 2024 Sep 9;55(1):108.
- Zendri F, Isgren CM, Devaney J, Schmidt V, Rankin R, Timofte D. Resistome-based surveillance identifies ESKAPE pathogens as the predominant gram-negative organisms circulating in veterinary hospitals. Front Microbiol 2023;14:1252216.
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