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Australian veterinary journal2011; 89(6); 221-225; doi: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2011.00711.x

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a population of horses in Australia.

Abstract: To evaluate if methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is present in the horse population in Australia. Methods: A two-part retrospective study of laboratory submissions of microbial culture results from horses. Methods: Part A: medical records of 216 horses that had MRSA screening performed on nasal swabs collected over a 30-day period at admission to the Scone Equine Hospital Clovelly Intensive Care Unit were retrieved. Part B: laboratory records from 2004 to 2009 of culture submissions to the Scone Veterinary Laboratory were reviewed and cultures that grew MRSA were identified. The MRSA isolates from Parts A and B were genotyped over an 18-month period. Results: MRSA screening of 216 horses identified eight (3.7%) positive samples. MRSA was isolated from cultures of 80 (0.002%) clinical bacteriology samples over a 6-year period. Genotypic analysis was performed on 36 isolates. All MRSA characterised had the same pulse field gel electrophoresis pattern (type 1), with eight closely related subtypes identified (subtypes A-F and H) and 66% of isolates classified as subtype D, which multilocus sequence and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec typing analysis identified as ST612-MRSA-IVa, a clonal complex (CC) 8 S. aureus strain. Antimicrobial resistance to more than two classes of antimicrobials was common. Conclusions: MRSA was present in a population of horses in Australia. Genotypic analysis of the isolates identified the MRSA strain as CC8 S. aureus. Further research needs to be undertaken to evaluate MRSA infection and colonisation of horses and personnel in Australia.
© 2011 The Authors. Australian Veterinary Journal © 2011 Australian Veterinary Association.
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Publication Date: 2011-05-21 PubMed ID: 21595643DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2011.00711.xGoogle 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.

The research focuses on the evaluation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in horses in Australia. The multi-part study demonstrated that MRSA was indeed present in the subject population and further research is needed to understand the impact of this on both horses and humans.

Study Design and Methods

  • The study was conducted in two parts, both utilizing retrospective analysis of laboratory submissions and medical records.
  • In the first part of the study (Part A), the medical records of 216 horses that underwent MRSA screening from nasal swabs over a 30-day period were observed. This testing was done on admission to Scone Equine Hospital Clovelly Intensive Care Unit.
  • The second part (Part B) involved reviewing laboratory records from 2004 to 2009, specifically focusing on cultures that grew MRSA.
  • Following identification, MRSA isolates from both parts of the study were genotyped over an 18-month period.

Results

  • From the 216 horses screened, eight (around 3.7%) tested positive for MRSA.
  • Over a span of six years, MRSA was isolated from approximately 0.002% of clinical bacteriology samples.
  • Genotypic analysis was carried out on 36 isolates in total.
  • All analyzed MRSA isolates had the same pulse field gel electrophoresis pattern (type 1), with eight subtypes closely related to it (subtypes A-F and H) identified.
  • Majority (66%) of isolates were classified as subtype D, which further sequencing and mec typing analysis identified as ST612-MRSA-IVa, a particular strain of S. aureus tied to clonal complex (CC) 8.
  • Antimicrobial resistance to more than two classes of antimicrobials was common among these isolates.

Conclusion and Further Research

  • The study concluded that MRSA was indeed present in the horse population in Australia.
  • The MRSA strain found was predominantly CC8 S. aureus as identified by genotypic analysis.
  • Further investigations are needed to better understand MRSA infection and colonisation in horses and the potential risks to personnel in Australia.

Cite This Article

APA
Axon JE, Carrick JB, Barton MD, Collins NM, Russell CM, Kiehne J, Coombs G. (2011). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a population of horses in Australia. Aust Vet J, 89(6), 221-225. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.2011.00711.x

Publication

Australian veterinary journal
ISSN: 1751-0813
NlmUniqueID: 0370616
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 89
Issue: 6
Pages: 221-225

Researcher Affiliations

Axon, J E
  • Scone Equine Hospital, Scone, New South Wales 2337, Australia. janeaxon@bigpond.com
Carrick, J B
    Barton, M D
      Collins, N M
        Russell, C M
          Kiehne, J
            Coombs, G

              MeSH Terms

              • Animals
              • Australia / epidemiology
              • Female
              • Genotype
              • Horse Diseases / drug therapy
              • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
              • Horse Diseases / microbiology
              • Horses
              • Male
              • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / genetics
              • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification
              • Retrospective Studies
              • Staphylococcal Infections / drug therapy
              • Staphylococcal Infections / epidemiology
              • Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology
              • Staphylococcal Infections / veterinary

              Citations

              This article has been cited 17 times.
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