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Longitudinal study of antimicrobial-resistant commensal Escherichia coli in the faeces of horses in an equine hospital.
Abstract: The increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria represents a considerable problem for human and veterinary medicine, causing complications in the treatment of infections. Resistance in Escherichia coli from horses has been documented in commensal and pathogenic strains, but little information exists regarding the prevalence of such bacteria in hospitalised horses or associated risk factors. A longitudinal cohort study was conducted of 103 horses admitted to a referral equine hospital for more than 48 h, with faecal samples collected on hospital admission and subsequently every two days until discharge. Horses undergoing radioactive gamma scintigraphic examination, un-weaned foals and mares with un-weaned foals were excluded. Data were collected from enrolled animals, including antimicrobial treatment history and hospitalisation details. Samples were cultured for resistant E. coli; isolates had their antimicrobial resistance profile determined. High sample prevalence for resistant E. coli was identified for all antimicrobials examined except co-amoxiclav. The prevalence of resistance was consistently lower at admission, rising to a peak 4 days post-admission. Risk factors were analysed using multilevel, multivariable modelling, which identified significant clustering of resistance outcomes within horses. For all outcomes except trimethoprim resistance, the day the sample was obtained was significant, with increased risk of resistance for samples taken on day 2 or later. Antimicrobial treatment in the previous seven days and increased total daily dosages of cotrimoxazole prescribed in the hospital in the previous 24-48 h were associated with increased risk. Location within the hospital and admission reason were significant risk factors for some resistance outcomes. High levels of multidrug-resistant E. coli (47.7% of samples) and extended spectrum β-lactamase-producing E. coli (27.3% of samples) were recovered; such bacteria could significantly complicate treatment if they were the cause of infection and may represent a risk to personnel in close contact with hospitalised horses.
Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2011-03-04 PubMed ID: 21377225DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2011.02.006Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article covers a thorough study on the prevalence and risk factors of antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli in the feces of horses in an equine hospital. The study records an alarming rise in resistance over the stay period and identifies potential risk factors for such resistance.
Study Design and Population
- The researchers conducted a longitudinal cohort study, a design best suited for observing development, change, and outcomes over time.
- The study population consisted of 103 horses admitted to a referral equine hospital for more than 48 hours. Hence, the study did not include horses undergoing radioactive gamma scintigraphic examination, un-weaned foals, and mares with un-weaned foals.
- In order to understand the nature of antimicrobial resistance in the selected population, the team collected fecal samples from the horses upon admission and then every two days until their discharge.
- Additional information such as the horses’ treatment history and hospitalization details were also recorded to aid in the analysis.
Findings of the Study
- Fecal samples were cultured, and the antimicrobial resistance profile of the isolated E.coli strains were determined.
- The resistance to all examined antimicrobials except co-amoxiclav was alarmingly prevalent in the samples.
- The researchers noted a pattern: the resistance prevalence was lowest upon admission, but it escalated, peaking four days post-admission.
Analysis of Risk Factors
- The risk factors contributing to this rise in antimicrobial resistance were scrutinized using advanced multilevel, multivariable modeling.
- The study recorded significant “clustering” of resistance outcomes within individual horses.
- For everything except resistance to trimethoprim, the day the sample was obtained stood out as a significant risk factor – there was a marked increase in resistance for samples taken on Day 2 or later.
- The researchers also tied an increased risk of resistance to horses that had received antimicrobial treatment in the seven days prior to sampling and those that had been prescribed higher daily doses of cotrimoxazole in the preceding 24-48 hours.
- The location within the hospital and the reason for admission also emerged as significant risk factors for some of the resistance outcomes.
Implications of the Findings
- In terms of implications, the study found high levels of multidrug-resistant E. coli (affecting 47.7% of samples) and extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing E. coli (in 27.3% of samples).
- These strains could severely complicate treatment regimes if they were the cause of infection, and might also pose significant risks to staff members who are in close contact with the horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Maddox TW, Williams NJ, Clegg PD, O'Donnell AJ, Dawson S, Pinchbeck GL.
(2011).
Longitudinal study of antimicrobial-resistant commensal Escherichia coli in the faeces of horses in an equine hospital.
Prev Vet Med, 100(2), 134-145.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2011.02.006 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- National Centre for Zoonosis Research, School of Veterinary Sciences, Leahurst Campus, University of Liverpool, CH64 7TE, UK. Thomas.Maddox@liverpool.ac.uk
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
- Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial
- Escherichia coli / drug effects
- Escherichia coli / isolation & purification
- Feces / microbiology
- Female
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horses
- Hospitals, Animal
- Male
Citations
This article has been cited 15 times.- Mitchell SW, Moran RA, Elbourne LDH, Chapman B, Bull M, Muscatello G, Coleman NV. Impacts of Domestication and Veterinary Treatment on Mobile Genetic Elements and Resistance Genes in Equine Fecal Bacteria. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023 Mar 29;89(3):e0159022.
- 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).
- Theelen MJP, Wilson WD, Byrne BA, Edman JM, Kass PH, Mughini-Gras L, Magdesian KG. Differences in isolation rate and antimicrobial susceptibility of bacteria isolated from foals with sepsis at admission and after ≥48 hours of hospitalization. J Vet Intern Med 2020 Mar;34(2):955-963.
- Sukmawinata E, Sato W, Mitoma S, Kanda T, Kusano K, Kambayashi Y, Sato T, Ishikawa Y, Goto Y, Uemura R, Sueyoshi M. Extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli isolated from healthy Thoroughbred racehorses in Japan. J Equine Sci 2019 Sep;30(3):47-53.
- Shnaiderman-Torban A, Paitan Y, Arielly H, Kondratyeva K, Tirosh-Levy S, Abells-Sutton G, Navon-Venezia S, Steinman A. Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae in Hospitalized Neonatal Foals: Prevalence, Risk Factors for Shedding and Association with Infection. Animals (Basel) 2019 Aug 23;9(9).
- Isgren CM, Edwards T, Pinchbeck GL, Winward E, Adams ER, Norton P, Timofte D, Maddox TW, Clegg PD, Williams NJ. Emergence of carriage of CTX-M-15 in faecal Escherichia coli in horses at an equine hospital in the UK; increasing prevalence over a decade (2008-2017). BMC Vet Res 2019 Jul 29;15(1):268.
- Graham DW, Bergeron G, Bourassa MW, Dickson J, Gomes F, Howe A, Kahn LH, Morley PS, Scott HM, Simjee S, Singer RS, Smith TC, Storrs C, Wittum TE. Complexities in understanding antimicrobial resistance across domesticated animal, human, and environmental systems. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2019 Apr;1441(1):17-30.
- Royden A, Ormandy E, Pinchbeck G, Pascoe B, Hitchings MD, Sheppard SK, Williams NJ. Prevalence of faecal carriage of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli in veterinary hospital staff and students. Vet Rec Open 2019;6(1):e000307.
- Isgren CM, Salem SE, Townsend NB, Timofte D, Maddox TW, Archer DC. Sequential bacterial sampling of the midline incision in horses undergoing exploratory laparotomy. Equine Vet J 2019 Jan;51(1):38-44.
- 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).
- Toombs-Ruane LJ, Riley CB, Kendall AT, Bolwell CF, Benschop J, Rosanowski SM. Antimicrobial Susceptibilities of Aerobic Isolates from Respiratory Samples of Young New Zealand Horses. J Vet Intern Med 2015 Nov-Dec;29(6):1700-6.
- 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.
- Prandi I, Bellato A, Nebbia P, Roch-Dupland O, Stella MC, Passarino E, Mauthe von Degerfeld M, Quaranta G, Robino P. Antimicrobial Resistance in Escherichia coli from Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) Admitted to a Wildlife Rescue Center. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jul 27;15(15).
- Rockow M, Griffenhagen G, Landolt G, Hendrickson D, Pezzanite L. The Effects of Antimicrobial Protocols and Other Perioperative Factors on Postoperative Complications in Horses Undergoing Celiotomy: A Retrospective Analysis, 2008-2021. Animals (Basel) 2023 Nov 19;13(22).
- Thomson P, García P, Río CD, Castro R, Núñez A, Miranda C. Antimicrobial Resistance and Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Genes in Enterobacterales, Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter Isolates from the Uterus of Healthy Mares. Pathogens 2023 Sep 8;12(9).
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