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BMC veterinary research2012; 8; 213; doi: 10.1186/1746-6148-8-213

Low MRSA prevalence in horses at farm level.

Abstract: In Europe, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) belonging to the clonal complex (CC) 398 has become an important pathogen in horses, circulating in equine clinics and causing both colonization and infection. Whether equine MRSA is bound to hospitals or can also circulate in the general horse population is currently unknown. This study, therefore, reports the nasal and perianal MRSA screening of 189 horses on 10 farms in a suspected high prevalence region (East- and West-Flanders, Belgium). Results: Only one horse (0.53%) from one farm (10%) tested positive in the nose. It carried a spa type t011-SCCmecV isolate, resistant to β-lactams and tetracycline, which is typical for livestock-associated MRSA CC398. Conclusions: In the region tested here, horses on horse farms seem unlikely to substantially contribute to the large animal associated ST398 MRSA reservoir present at intensive animal production units.
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Publication Date: 2012-11-07 PubMed ID: 23134703PubMed Central: PMC3536571DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-8-213Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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.

This research article looks into the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in horses in Belgium, revealing a lower than expected incidence. The study investigated if horses contribute significantly to the reservoir of this bacterium typically associated with large animal production units.

Background of the Study

  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), specifically the clonal complex 398 (CC398), is a significant pathogen in horses in Europe.
  • MRSA can cause both colonization and infections in horses, often circulating in equine clinics.
  • It was previously unclear if MRSA in horses was limited to equine clinics or also present in the general horse population.

Details and Method of the Study

  • The researchers tested for MRSA in both the noses and perianal areas of 189 horses on 10 different farms in East and West-Flanders, Belgium. The region was chosen due to its suspected high prevalence of MRSA.
  • The goal was to determine the prevalence of MRSA on these farms and to identify the type of MRSA present.

Results of the Study

  • Results showed that only one horse from one farm tested positive in the nose for MRSA. That’s just 0.53% of the horses sampled and 10% of the farms involved.
  • This horse was found to carry an isolate type t011-SCCmecV in its nasal cavities, a type of MRSA resistant to β-lactams and tetracycline. This is typical for livestock-associated MRSA (LA-MRSA) CC398.

Conclusions of the Study

  • Contrary to expectations, the prevalence of MRSA among horses in these farms was low.
  • Based on these findings, it seems horses in this region do not significantly contribute to the LA-MRSA reservoir, usually associated with intensive animal production units.

This study provides important insights into MRSA in horses in the tested region, which could guide future research and control strategies for MRSA in equine and livestock contexts.

Cite This Article

APA
Van den Eede A, Martens A, Feryn I, Vanderhaeghen W, Lipinska U, Gasthuys F, Butaye P, Haesebrouck F, Hermans K. (2012). Low MRSA prevalence in horses at farm level. BMC Vet Res, 8, 213. https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-6148-8-213

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 8
Pages: 213

Researcher Affiliations

Van den Eede, Annelies
  • Department of Surgery and Anaesthesiology of Domestic Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
Martens, Ann
    Feryn, Isabelle
      Vanderhaeghen, Wannes
        Lipinska, Urszula
          Gasthuys, Frank
            Butaye, Patrick
              Haesebrouck, Freddy
                Hermans, Katleen

                  MeSH Terms

                  • Animal Husbandry
                  • Animals
                  • Belgium / epidemiology
                  • Carrier State
                  • Disease Reservoirs / veterinary
                  • Female
                  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
                  • Horse Diseases / microbiology
                  • Horses
                  • Male
                  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification
                  • Nose / microbiology
                  • Prevalence
                  • Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology
                  • Staphylococcal Infections / veterinary

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                  Citations

                  This article has been cited 9 times.
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