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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Vet Diagn Invest / Methicillin-resistant staphylococci isolated from healthy ho...
Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc2010; 22(1); 77-82; doi: 10.1177/104063871002200114

Methicillin-resistant staphylococci isolated from healthy horses and horse personnel in Italy.

Abstract: Methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS) were isolated from nasal swabs of 56 of 159 (35.2%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 27.9-43.2%) healthy horses. Two nasal swabs were collected from each horse; 43 of 159 (27%; 95% CI: 20.5-34.8%) of the cohort were colonized by MRS strains in 1 nostril, while in the remaining 13 of 159 (8.2%; 95% CI: 4.6-13.9%), different or identical MRS strains were isolated in both nostrils. Of the 29 humans in close contact with the horses tested, 4 (13.8%; 95% CI: 4.5-32.6%) were found to be carriers of MRS. All isolates were coagulase negative with the exception of 2 coagulase-positive MRS strains, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, both isolated from horses. To assay the methicillin resistance, a susceptibility test to oxacillin with standardized disk diffusion method, a PBP-2a latex agglutination test, and a methicillin resistance gene (mecA) polymerase chain reaction assay were performed. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns of isolates from horses and humans in close contact with the horses revealed similarity. The results suggest evidence of transmission between animals, from animals to humans, and vice versa.
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Publication Date: 2010-01-23 PubMed ID: 20093688DOI: 10.1177/104063871002200114Google 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.

This study focuses on the occurrence of methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS) in healthy horses and individuals closely interacting with them in Italy. The findings indicate that both horses and humans were carriers of MRS, suggesting possible animal-to-human and human-to-animal transmission.

Methodology

  • The researchers sampled 159 healthy horses using nasal swabs. They collected two swabs from each horse, one from each nostril.
  • The team also tested 29 humans that had close contact with the horses.
  • To determine the presence of MRS, they performed several tests including: a susceptibility test to oxacillin using a standardized disk diffusion method, a PBP-2a latex agglutination test, and a methicillin resistance gene (mecA) polymerase chain reaction assay.
  • The scientists used pulsed-field gel electrophoresis to compare the genetic patterns of the isolates derived from horses and humans.

Findings

  • The study found that 35.2% of the sampled horses had MRS in their nostrils. Single nostril colonization was identified in 27% horses, and both nostrils were affected in 8.2% horses.
  • Among humans in close contact with horses, 13.8% were discovered to be carriers of MRS.
  • All MRS isolates from both horses and humans were coagulase negative, with two exceptions of coagulase-positive strains (Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius) isolated from horses.

Implications

  • The researchers concluded that the presence of MRS in both horses and humans may suggest possible transmission between animals and humans, and vice versa.
  • This study raises concerns about the potential for MRS spreading within equine facilities and between horses and individuals in close contact with them. This indicates a need for proper preventive measures to avoid the spread of this antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Cite This Article

APA
De Martino L, Lucido M, Mallardo K, Facello B, Mallardo M, Iovane G, Pagnini U, Tufano MA, Catalanotti P. (2010). Methicillin-resistant staphylococci isolated from healthy horses and horse personnel in Italy. J Vet Diagn Invest, 22(1), 77-82. https://doi.org/10.1177/104063871002200114

Publication

Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc
ISSN: 1040-6387
NlmUniqueID: 9011490
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 22
Issue: 1
Pages: 77-82

Researcher Affiliations

De Martino, Luisa
  • Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sezione di Microbiologia e Microbiologia Clinica, Seconda Università di Napoli, Via Costantipoli, 16-80138 Napoli, Italy.
Lucido, Maria
    Mallardo, Karina
      Facello, Bruna
        Mallardo, Michelina
          Iovane, Giuseppe
            Pagnini, Ugo
              Tufano, Maria Antonietta
                Catalanotti, Piergiorgio

                  MeSH Terms

                  • Animals
                  • Carrier State
                  • Female
                  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
                  • Horse Diseases / microbiology
                  • Horses
                  • Humans
                  • Italy / epidemiology
                  • Male
                  • Methicillin Resistance
                  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification
                  • Nose / microbiology
                  • Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology
                  • Staphylococcal Infections / transmission

                  Citations

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