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Journal of veterinary science2015; 17(2); 199-206; doi: 10.4142/jvs.2016.17.2.199

Isolation and characterization of antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli from national horse racetracks and private horse-riding courses in Korea.

Abstract: Limited information is available regarding horse-associated antimicrobial resistant (AR) Escherichia (E.) coli. This study was designed to evaluate the frequency and characterize the pattern of AR E. coli from healthy horse-associated samples. A total of 143 E. coli (4.6%) were isolated from 3,078 samples collected from three national racetracks and 14 private horse-riding courses in Korea. Thirty of the E. coli isolates (21%) showed antimicrobial resistance to at least one antimicrobial agent, and four of the AR E. coli (13.3%) were defined as multi-drug resistance. Most of the AR E. coli harbored AR genes corresponding to their antimicrobial resistance phenotypes. Four of the AR E. coli carried class 1 integrase gene (intI1), a gene associated with multi-drug resistance. Pulsed-field gel electrophoretic analysis showed no genetic relatedness among AR E. coli isolated from different facilities; however, cross-transmissions between horses or horses and environments were detected in two facilities. Although cross-transmission of AR E. coli in horses and their environments was generally low, our study suggests a risk of transmission of AR bacteria between horses and humans. Further studies are needed to evaluate the risk of possible transmission of horse-associated AR bacteria to human communities through horse riders and horse-care workers.
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Publication Date: 2015-12-10 PubMed ID: 26645344PubMed Central: PMC4921668DOI: 10.4142/jvs.2016.17.2.199Google 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 study investigates the prevalence and characteristics of antimicrobial-resistant strains of Escherichia coli found in samples from horse racetracks and horse-riding courses in Korea, suggesting the need for further study on the potential for transmission between horses and humans.

Objective of the Study

  • The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of antimicrobial-resistant (AR) E. coli in horse-related environments and assess the risk of transmission among horses, their habitats and humans.

Sample Collection and Analysis

  • A total of 3078 samples were collected from three national racetracks and 14 private horse-riding courses across Korea.
  • Out of these, 143 instances of E. coli were isolated, indicating a prevalence of 4.6%. Thirty of the isolates (21%) demonstrated resistance to at least one antimicrobial agent.
  • Pulsed-field gel electrophoretic technology was used to determine genetic relatedness of the isolated AR E. coli samples.

Findings of the Study

  • The study found four instances (13.3%) of multi-drug resistance among the AR E. coli. Corresponding AR genes were identified in most of the isolated AR E. coli samples.
  • Four of these E. coli carried the class 1 integrase gene (intI1), which is associated with multi-drug resistance.
  • The genetic analysis found no significant relation among AR E. coli from different facilities. However, potential cross-transmission between horses or between horses and their environment was identified in two facilities, suggesting the possibility of inter-species transmission.

Conclusion and Future Implications

  • While cross-transmission of AR E. coli was generally found to be low, the study indicates a potential risk of AR bacteria transmission between horses and humans, highlighting a public health concern.
  • The researchers recommend further studies to assess the risk of transmission of horse-associated AR bacteria to human communities, particularly via horse riders and those caring for horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Chung YS, Song JW, Kim DH, Shin S, Park YK, Yang SJ, Lim SK, Park KT, Park YH. (2015). Isolation and characterization of antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli from national horse racetracks and private horse-riding courses in Korea. J Vet Sci, 17(2), 199-206. https://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2016.17.2.199

Publication

Journal of veterinary science
ISSN: 1976-555X
NlmUniqueID: 100964185
Country: Korea (South)
Language: English
Volume: 17
Issue: 2
Pages: 199-206

Researcher Affiliations

Chung, Yeon Soo
  • Department of Veterinary Microbiology, BK21 PLUS Program for Creative Veterinary Science Research, and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Koreaivers.
Song, Jae Won
  • Department of Veterinary Microbiology, BK21 PLUS Program for Creative Veterinary Science Research, and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Koreaivers.
Kim, Dae Ho
  • Department of Veterinary Microbiology, BK21 PLUS Program for Creative Veterinary Science Research, and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Koreaivers.
Shin, Sook
  • Department of Veterinary Microbiology, BK21 PLUS Program for Creative Veterinary Science Research, and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Koreaivers.
Park, Young Kyung
  • Department of Veterinary Microbiology, BK21 PLUS Program for Creative Veterinary Science Research, and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Koreaivers.
Yang, Soo Jin
  • Department of Animal Science and Technology, College of Biotechnology and Natural Resource, Chung-Ang University 2nd Campus, Anseong 17546, Korea.
Lim, Suk Kyung
  • Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Anyang 14086, Korea.
Park, Kun Taek
  • Department of Veterinary Microbiology, BK21 PLUS Program for Creative Veterinary Science Research, and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Koreaivers.
Park, Yong Ho
  • Department of Veterinary Microbiology, BK21 PLUS Program for Creative Veterinary Science Research, and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Koreaivers.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial
  • Escherichia coli
  • Escherichia coli Infections / epidemiology
  • Escherichia coli Infections / microbiology
  • Escherichia coli Infections / veterinary
  • Feces / microbiology
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / microbiology
  • Horses
  • Phylogeny
  • Prevalence
  • Republic of Korea / epidemiology
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA / veterinary

Conflict of Interest Statement

There is no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 9 times.
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