FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Emerging infectious diseases2005; 11(3); 430-435; doi: 10.3201/eid1103.040481

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in horses and horse personnel, 2000-2002.

Abstract: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection was identified in 2 horses treated at a veterinary hospital in 2000, prompting a study of colonization rates of horses and associated persons. Seventy-nine horses and 27 persons colonized or infected with MRSA were identified from October 2000 to November 2002; most isolations occurred in a 3-month period in 2002. Twenty-seven (34%) of the equine isolates were from the veterinary hospital, while 41 (51%) were from 1 thoroughbred farm in Ontario. Seventeen (63%) of 27 human isolates were from the veterinary hospital, and 8 (30%) were from the thoroughbred farm. Thirteen (16%) horses and 1 (4%) person were clinically infected. Ninety-six percent of equine and 93% of human isolates were subtypes of Canadian epidemic MRSA-5, spa type 7 and possessed SCCmecIV. All tested isolates from clinical infections were negative for the Panton-Valentine leukocidin genes. Equine MRSA infection may be an important emerging zoonotic and veterinary disease.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2005-03-11 PubMed ID: 15757559PubMed Central: PMC3298236DOI: 10.3201/eid1103.040481Google 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.
LinkedInCopy
  • 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 article discusses a study of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections and colonization in horses and personnel at a veterinary hospital and a thoroughbred farm in Ontario from 2000 to 2002, emphasizing the potential for equine MRSA infection as an emerging zoonotic and veterinary disease.

Study Design and Participants

  • The study arose from the identification of MRSA infection in two horses treated at a veterinary hospital in 2000.
  • Between October 2000 and November 2002, the researchers identified 79 horses and 27 people colonized or infected with MRSA.
  • The test subjects involved were largely from the veterinary hospital and one particular thoroughbred farm in Ontario.

Findings and Implications

  • A significant proportion of the isolates came from these two locations. 34% of equine isolates were from the veterinary hospital while 51% came from the thoroughbred farm. Among humans, 63% of isolates were recorded at the hospital and 30% at the farm.
  • However, most of the isolations occurred in a three-month period in 2002, indicating a sudden flare-up of infections.
  • The study found evidence of clinical infection in 16% of the horses and 4% of the humans in the studied pool.
  • Almost all isolates in both horses and humans were found to be subtypes of Canadian epidemic MRSA-5, spa type 7 and possessed SCCmecIV. This indicates a common source or carrier of the virus.
  • Moreover, none of the tested isolates from clinical infections contained the Panton-Valentine leukocidin genes, which are often associated with virulent strains of MRSA.
  • The authors suggest that equine MRSA infection might be an important emerging zoonotic and veterinary disease, signaling the need for improved surveillance and control measures in equine environments.

Cite This Article

APA
Weese JS, Archambault M, Willey BM, Hearn P, Kreiswirth BN, Said-Salim B, McGeer A, Likhoshvay Y, Prescott JF, Low DE. (2005). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in horses and horse personnel, 2000-2002. Emerg Infect Dis, 11(3), 430-435. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid1103.040481

Publication

Emerging infectious diseases
ISSN: 1080-6040
NlmUniqueID: 9508155
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 3
Pages: 430-435

Researcher Affiliations

Weese, J S
  • Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada. jsweese@uoguelph.ca
Archambault, M
    Willey, B M
      Hearn, P
        Kreiswirth, B N
          Said-Salim, B
            McGeer, A
              Likhoshvay, Y
                Prescott, J F
                  Low, D E

                    MeSH Terms

                    • Animal Husbandry
                    • Animal Technicians
                    • Animals
                    • Carrier State
                    • Disease Reservoirs
                    • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
                    • Horse Diseases / microbiology
                    • Horses / microbiology
                    • Humans
                    • Methicillin Resistance
                    • Ontario / epidemiology
                    • Staphylococcal Infections / epidemiology
                    • Staphylococcal Infections / veterinary
                    • Staphylococcus aureus / classification
                    • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
                    • Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification
                    • Students, Health Occupations
                    • Time Factors
                    • Veterinarians

                    References

                    This article includes 37 references
                    1. Barber M. Methicillin-resistant staphylococci.. J Clin Pathol 1961;14:385–93.
                      doi: 10.1136/jcp.14.4.385pmc: PMC480239pubmed: 13686776google scholar: lookup
                    2. Ito T, Katayama Y, Asada K, Mori N, Tsutsumimoto K, Tiansasitorn C. Structural composition of three types of staphylococcal chromosomal cassette chromosome mec integrated in the chromosome of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2001;45:1323–36.
                      doi: 10.1128/AAC.45.5.1323-1336.2001pmc: PMC90469pubmed: 11302791google scholar: lookup
                    3. Daum RS, Ito T, Hiramatsu K, Hussain F, Mongkolrattanothai K, Jamklang M. A novel methicillin-resistance cassette in community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates of diverse genetic backgrounds.. J Infect Dis 2002;186:1344–7.
                      doi: 10.1086/344326pubmed: 12402206google scholar: lookup
                    4. Graffunder EM, Venezia RA. Risk factors associated with nosocomial methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection including previous use of antimicrobials.. J Antimicrob Chemother 2002;49:999–1005.
                      doi: 10.1093/jac/dkf009pubmed: 12039892google scholar: lookup
                    5. Hartstein AI, Mulligan ME. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. In: Mayhall CG, editor. Hospital epidemiology and infection control. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1996. p. 290–306.
                    6. Casewell MW. New threats to the control of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus.. J Hosp Infect 1995;30:465–71.
                      doi: 10.1016/0195-6701(95)90050-0pubmed: 7560985google scholar: lookup
                    7. Baggett HC, Hennessy TW, Leman R, Hamlin C, Bruden D, Reasonover A. An outbreak of community-onset methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin infections in southwestern Alaska.. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2003;24:397–402.
                      doi: 10.1086/502221pubmed: 12828314google scholar: lookup
                    8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Four pediatric deaths from community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus—Minnesota and North Dakota.. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 1999;48:707–10.
                      pubmed: 21033181
                    9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Public Health Dispatch: outbreaks of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin infections - Los Angeles County, California, 2002–2003.. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2003;52:88.
                      pubmed: 12588006
                    10. Simor AE, Ofner-Agostini M, Bryce E, Green K, McGeer A, Mulvey MR. The evolution of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Canadian hospitals.. CMAJ 2001;165:21–6.
                      pmc: PMC81239pubmed: 11468949
                    11. Simor AE, Ofner-Agostini M, Bryce E, McGeer A, Paton S, Mulvey MR. Laboratory characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Canadian hospitals: results of 5 years of national surveillance, 1995–1999.. J Infect Dis 2002;186:652–60.
                      doi: 10.1086/342292pubmed: 12195352google scholar: lookup
                    12. Shopsin B, Gomez M, Montgomery SO, Smith DH, Waddington M, Dodge DE. Evaluation of protein A gene polymorphic region DNA sequencing for typing of Staphylococcus aureus strains.. J Clin Microbiol 1999;37:3556–63.
                      pmc: PMC85690pubmed: 10523551
                    13. Seguin JC, Walker RD, Caron JP, Kloos WE, George CG, Hollis RJ. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus outbreak in a veterinary teaching hospital: potential human-to-animal transmission.. J Clin Microbiol 1999;37:1459–63.
                      pmc: PMC84801pubmed: 10203505
                    14. Hartmann FA, Trostle SS, Klohnen AAO. Isolation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from a post-operative wound infection in a horse.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1997;211:590–2.
                      pubmed: 9290826
                    15. Cefai C, Ashurst S, Owens C. Human carriage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus linked with pet dog.. Lancet 1994;344:539–40.
                      doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(94)91926-7pubmed: 7914628google scholar: lookup
                    16. Devriese LA. Epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in dairy herds.. Res Vet Sci 1975;19:23–7.
                      pubmed: 125447
                    17. Shimizu A, Kawano J, Yamamoto C, Kakutani O, Anzai T, Kamada M. Genetic analysis of equine methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.. J Vet Med Sci 1997;59:935–7.
                      doi: 10.1292/jvms.59.935pubmed: 9362045google scholar: lookup
                    18. Pak SI, Han HR, Shimizu A. Characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from dogs in Korea.. J Vet Med Sci 1999;61:1013–8.
                      doi: 10.1292/jvms.61.1013pubmed: 10535519google scholar: lookup
                    19. Manian FA. Asymptomatic nasal carriage of mupirocin-resistant, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a pet dog associated with MRSA infection in household contacts.. Clin Infect Dis 2003;36:e26–8.
                      doi: 10.1086/344772pubmed: 12522764google scholar: lookup
                    20. Tomlin J, Pead MJ, Lloyd DH, Howell S, Hartmann FA, Jackson HA. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections in 11 dogs.. Vet Rec 1999;144:60–4.
                      doi: 10.1136/vr.144.3.60pubmed: 10070689google scholar: lookup
                    21. Gosbell IB, Neville SA, Mercer JL, Fernandes LA, Fernandes CJ. Evaluation of the MRSA-Screen Test in detecting oxacillin resistance in community and hospital isolates of Staphylococcus aureus.. Pathology 2001;33:493–5.
                      doi: 10.1080/00313020120083214pubmed: 11827417google scholar: lookup
                    22. NCCLS. Methods for dilution antimicrobial susceptibility tests for bacteria that grow aerobically. Approved standard M7-A5.. Wayne (PA): NCCLS; 2000.
                    23. NCCLS. Fourteenth Informational Supplement M100-S14.. Wayne (PA); NCCLS; 2004.
                    24. Mulvey MR, Chui L, Ismail J, Louie L, Murphy C, Chang N. Development of a Canadian standardized protocol for subtyping methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.. J Clin Microbiol 2001;39:3481–5.
                      doi: 10.1128/JCM.39.10.3481-3485.2001pmc: PMC88375pubmed: 11574559google scholar: lookup
                    25. Tenover FC, Arbeit RD, Goering RV, Mickelsen PA, Murray BE, Persing DH. Interpreting chromosomal DNA restriction patterns produced by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis: criteria for bacterial strain typing.. J Clin Microbiol 1995;33:2233–9.
                      pmc: PMC228385pubmed: 7494007
                    26. Oliveira DC, DeLencastre H. Multiplex PCR strategy for rapid identification of structural types and variants of the mec element in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2002;46:2155–61.
                      doi: 10.1128/AAC.46.7.2155-2161.2002pmc: PMC127318pubmed: 12069968google scholar: lookup
                    27. Weber SG, Gold HS, Hooper DC, Karchmer AW, Carmeli Y. Fluoroquinolones and the risk for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in hospitalized patients.. Emerg Infect Dis 2003;9:1415–22.
                      pmc: PMC3035560pubmed: 14718085
                    28. Crowcroft NS, Ronveaux O, Monnet DL, Mertens R. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and antimicrobial use in Belgian hospitals.. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 1999;20:31–6.
                      doi: 10.1086/501555pubmed: 9927263google scholar: lookup
                    29. Dziekan G, Hahn A, Thune K, Schwarzer G, Schafer K, Daschner FD. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a teaching hospital: investigation of nosocomial transmission using a matched case-control study.. J Hosp Infect 2000;46:263–70.
                      doi: 10.1053/jhin.2000.0846pubmed: 11170757google scholar: lookup
                    30. Hwang JH, Tsai HY, Liu TC. Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections in discharging ears.. Acta Otolaryngol 2002;122:827–30.
                      doi: 10.1080/0036554021000028076pubmed: 12542200google scholar: lookup
                    31. Dufour P, Gillet Y, Bes M. Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections in France: emergence of a single clone that produces Panton-Valentine leukocidin.. Clin Infect Dis 2002;35:819–24.
                      doi: 10.1086/342576pubmed: 12228818google scholar: lookup
                    32. Ma XX, Ito T, Tiensasitorn C, Jamklang M, Chongtrakool P, Boyle-Vavra S. Novel type of staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec identified in community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains.. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2002;46:1147–52.
                      doi: 10.1128/AAC.46.4.1147-1152.2002pmc: PMC127097pubmed: 11897611google scholar: lookup
                    33. Pan ES, Diep BA, Carleton HA, Charlebois ED, Sensabaugh GF, Haller BJ. Increasing prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in California jails.. Clin Infect Dis 2003;37:1384–8.
                      doi: 10.1086/379019pubmed: 14583874google scholar: lookup
                    34. Baba T, Takeuchi F, Kuroda M, Yuzawa H, Aoki K, Oguchi A. Genome and virulence determinants of high virulence community-acquired MRSA.. Lancet 2002;359:1819–27.
                      doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(02)08713-5pubmed: 12044378google scholar: lookup
                    35. Lina G, Piemont Y, Godail-Gamot F, Bes M, Peter MO, Gauduchon V. Involvement of Panton-Valentine leukocidin-producing Staphylococcus aureus in primary skin infections and pneumonia.. Clin Infect Dis 1999;29:1128–32.
                      doi: 10.1086/313461pubmed: 10524952google scholar: lookup
                    36. Kenner J, O’Connor T, Piantanida N, Fishbain J, Eberly B, Viscount H. Rates of carriage of methicillin-resistant and methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus in an outpatient population.. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2003;24:439–44.
                      doi: 10.1086/502229pubmed: 12828322google scholar: lookup
                    37. Hopital Propre II Study Group. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in French hospitals: a 2-month survey in 43 hospitals, 1995.. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 1999;20:478–86.
                      doi: 10.1086/501656pubmed: 10432160google scholar: lookup

                    Citations

                    This article has been cited 68 times.
                    1. Mediouni M, Diallo AB, Makarenkov V. Quantifying antimicrobial resistance in food-producing animals in North America. Front Microbiol 2025;16:1542472.
                      doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2025.1542472pubmed: 40497057google scholar: lookup
                    2. Caddey B, Fisher S, Barkema HW, Nobrega DB. Companions in antimicrobial resistance: examining transmission of common antimicrobial-resistant organisms between people and their dogs, cats, and horses. Clin Microbiol Rev 2025 Mar 13;38(1):e0014622.
                      doi: 10.1128/cmr.00146-22pubmed: 39853095google scholar: lookup
                    3. Kabir A, Lamichhane B, Habib T, Adams A, El-Sheikh Ali H, Slovis NM, Troedsson MHT, Helmy YA. Antimicrobial Resistance in Equines: A Growing Threat to Horse Health and Beyond-A Comprehensive Review. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024 Jul 29;13(8).
                      doi: 10.3390/antibiotics13080713pubmed: 39200013google scholar: lookup
                    4. Simpson M, Hendrickson DA, Hyatt DR, Rao S. Comparison of In Vitro Bacterial Susceptibility to Common and Novel Equine Wound Care Dressings. Animals (Basel) 2024 Mar 1;14(5).
                      doi: 10.3390/ani14050776pubmed: 38473161google scholar: lookup
                    5. Preziuso S, Attili AR, Cuteri V. Methicillin-resistant staphylococci in clinical bovine mastitis: occurrence, molecular analysis, and biofilm production. Vet Res Commun 2024 Apr;48(2):969-977.
                      doi: 10.1007/s11259-023-10268-xpubmed: 38036851google scholar: lookup
                    6. Tyrnenopoulou P, Fthenakis GC. Clinical Aspects of Bacterial Distribution and Antibiotic Resistance in the Reproductive System of Equids. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023 Mar 28;12(4).
                      doi: 10.3390/antibiotics12040664pubmed: 37107026google scholar: lookup
                    7. Nwobi OC, Anyanwu MU, Jaja IF, Nwankwo IO, Okolo CC, Nwobi CA, Ezenduka EV, Oguttu JW. Staphylococcus aureus in Horses in Nigeria: Occurrence, Antimicrobial, Methicillin and Heavy Metal Resistance and Virulence Potentials. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023 Jan 24;12(2).
                      doi: 10.3390/antibiotics12020242pubmed: 36830153google scholar: lookup
                    8. Brock AK, Chamoun-Emanuelli AM, Howard EA, Huntzinger KD, Lawhon SD, Bryan LK, Cosgriff-Hernandez EM, Cohen ND, Whitfield-Cargile CM. Wound swabs versus biopsies to detect methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in experimental equine wounds. Vet Surg 2022 Nov;51(8):1196-1205.
                      doi: 10.1111/vsu.13872pubmed: 36102600google scholar: lookup
                    9. Nielsen SS, Bicout DJ, Calistri P, Canali E, Drewe JA, Garin-Bastuji B, Gonzales Rojas JL, Gortázar C, Herskin M, Michel V, Miranda Chueca MÁ, Padalino B, Pasquali P, Roberts HC, Spoolder H, Ståhl K, Velarde A, Viltrop A, Winckler C, Baldinelli F, Broglia A, Kohnle L, Alvarez J. Assessment of listing and categorisation of animal diseases within the framework of the Animal Health Law (Regulation (EU) No 2016/429): antimicrobial-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in cattle and horses. EFSA J 2022 May;20(5):e07312.
                      doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2022.7312pubmed: 35582361google scholar: lookup
                    10. Kaiser-Thom S, Gerber V, Collaud A, Hurni J, Perreten V. Prevalence and WGS-based characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus in the nasal mucosa and pastern of horses with equine pastern dermatitis. BMC Vet Res 2022 Feb 24;18(1):79.
                      doi: 10.1186/s12917-021-03053-ypubmed: 35209904google scholar: lookup
                    11. Sauvé F. Staphylococcal cutaneous infection in horses: From the early 2000s to the present. Can Vet J 2021 Sep;62(9):1001-1006.
                      pubmed: 34475588
                    12. Little SV, Hillhouse AE, Lawhon SD, Bryan LK. Analysis of Virulence and Antimicrobial Resistance Gene Carriage in Staphylococcus aureus Infections in Equids Using Whole-Genome Sequencing. mSphere 2021 Aug 25;6(4):e0019620.
                      doi: 10.1128/mSphere.00196-20pubmed: 34346711google scholar: lookup
                    13. Morice P, Allano M, Provost C, Fairbrother JH, Gagnon CA, Sauvé F. Whole genome sequencing of methicillin-resistant and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus isolated from 4 horses in a veterinary teaching hospital and its ambulatory service. Can J Vet Res 2021 Jul;85(3):218-223.
                      pubmed: 34248267
                    14. Adeoye-Isijola M, Olajuyigbe O, Adebola K, Coopoosamy R, Afolayan A. Vancomycin intermediate resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the nasal cavity of asymptomatic individuals: a potential public health challenge. Afr Health Sci 2020 Sep;20(3):1109-1117.
                      doi: 10.4314/ahs.v20i3.12pubmed: 33402955google scholar: lookup
                    15. Jin Y, Yu X, Chen Y, Chen W, Shen P, Luo Q, Zhang S, Kong X, Zheng B, Xiao Y. Characterization of highly virulent community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ST9-SCCmec XII causing bloodstream infection in China. Emerg Microbes Infect 2020 Dec;9(1):2526-2535.
                      doi: 10.1080/22221751.2020.1848354pubmed: 33174510google scholar: lookup
                    16. Roudaud M, Allano M, Fairbrother JH, Sauvé F. A retrospective study on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus spp. isolated from horses admitted to a Canadian veterinary teaching hospital between 2008 and 2018. Can Vet J 2020 Nov;61(11):1197-1202.
                      pubmed: 33149358
                    17. Rahman MM, Amin KB, Rahman SMM, Khair A, Rahman M, Hossain A, Rahman AKMA, Parvez MS, Miura N, Alam MM. Investigation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus among clinical isolates from humans and animals by culture methods and multiplex PCR. BMC Vet Res 2018 Oct 3;14(1):300.
                      doi: 10.1186/s12917-018-1611-0pubmed: 30285752google scholar: lookup
                    18. Adams R, Smith J, Locke S, Phillips E, Erol E, Carter C, Odoi A. An epidemiologic study of antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus species isolated from equine samples submitted to a diagnostic laboratory. BMC Vet Res 2018 Feb 5;14(1):42.
                      doi: 10.1186/s12917-018-1367-6pubmed: 29402294google scholar: lookup
                    19. Haenni M, Châtre P, Dupieux-Chabert C, Métayer V, Bes M, Madec JY, Laurent F. Molecular Epidemiology of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Horses, Cats, and Dogs Over a 5-Year Period in France. Front Microbiol 2017;8:2493.
                      doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02493pubmed: 29326664google scholar: lookup
                    20. Oguttu JW, Qekwana DN, Odoi A. An Exploratory Descriptive Study of Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns of Staphylococcus Spp. Isolated from Horses Presented at a Veterinary Teaching Hospital. BMC Vet Res 2017 Aug 22;13(1):269.
                      doi: 10.1186/s12917-017-1196-zpubmed: 28830437google scholar: lookup
                    21. Bortolami A, Williams NJ, McGowan CM, Kelly PG, Archer DC, Corrò M, Pinchbeck G, Saunders CJ, Timofte D. Environmental surveillance identifies multiple introductions of MRSA CC398 in an Equine Veterinary Hospital in the UK, 2011-2016. Sci Rep 2017 Jul 14;7(1):5499.
                      doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-05559-8pubmed: 28710350google scholar: lookup
                    22. Boyle AG, Rankin SC, Duffee LA, Morris D. Prevalence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus from Equine Nasopharyngeal and Guttural Pouch Wash Samples. J Vet Intern Med 2017 Sep;31(5):1551-1555.
                      doi: 10.1111/jvim.14783pubmed: 28661019google scholar: lookup
                    23. Monecke S, Gavier-Widén D, Hotzel H, Peters M, Guenther S, Lazaris A, Loncaric I, Müller E, Reissig A, Ruppelt-Lorz A, Shore AC, Walter B, Coleman DC, Ehricht R. Diversity of Staphylococcus aureus Isolates in European Wildlife. PLoS One 2016;11(12):e0168433.
                      doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0168433pubmed: 27992523google scholar: lookup
                    24. Groves MD, Crouch B, Coombs GW, Jordan D, Pang S, Barton MD, Giffard P, Abraham S, Trott DJ. Molecular Epidemiology of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Australian Veterinarians. PLoS One 2016;11(1):e0146034.
                      doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0146034pubmed: 26735694google scholar: lookup
                    25. Kuroda T, Kinoshita Y, Niwa H, Mizobe F, Ueno T, Kuwano A, Hatazoe T, Hobo S. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ulcerative keratitis in a Thoroughbred racehorse. J Equine Sci 2015;26(3):95-8.
                      doi: 10.1294/jes.26.95pubmed: 26435683google scholar: lookup
                    26. Schmithausen RM, Kellner SR, Schulze-Geisthoevel SV, Hack S, Engelhart S, Bodenstein I, Al-Sabti N, Reif M, Fimmers R, Körber-Irrgang B, Harlizius J, Hoerauf A, Exner M, Bierbaum G, Petersen B, Bekeredjian-Ding I. Eradication of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and of Enterobacteriaceae expressing extended-spectrum beta-lactamases on a model pig farm. Appl Environ Microbiol 2015 Nov;81(21):7633-43.
                      doi: 10.1128/AEM.01713-15pubmed: 26341200google scholar: lookup
                    27. Steinman A, Masarwa S, Tirosh-Levy S, Gleser D, Kelmer G, Adler A, Carmeli Y, Schwaber MJ. Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus spa Type t002 Outbreak in Horses and Staff at a Veterinary Teaching Hospital after Its Presumed Introduction by a Veterinarian. J Clin Microbiol 2015 Sep;53(9):2827-31.
                      doi: 10.1128/JCM.00090-15pubmed: 26085620google scholar: lookup
                    28. Weese JS, Giguère S, Guardabassi L, Morley PS, Papich M, Ricciuto DR, Sykes JE. ACVIM consensus statement on therapeutic antimicrobial use in animals and antimicrobial resistance. J Vet Intern Med 2015 Mar-Apr;29(2):487-98.
                      doi: 10.1111/jvim.12562pubmed: 25783842google scholar: lookup
                    29. Weese JS. Infection control and biosecurity in equine disease control. Equine Vet J 2014 Nov;46(6):654-60.
                      doi: 10.1111/evj.12295pubmed: 24802183google scholar: lookup
                    30. Abdelbary MM, Wittenberg A, Cuny C, Layer F, Kurt K, Wieler LH, Walther B, Skov R, Larsen J, Hasman H, Fitzgerald JR, Smith TC, Wagenaar JA, Pantosti A, Hallin M, Struelens MJ, Edwards G, Böse R, Nübel U, Witte W. Phylogenetic analysis of Staphylococcus aureus CC398 reveals a sub-lineage epidemiologically associated with infections in horses. PLoS One 2014;9(2):e88083.
                      doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0088083pubmed: 24505386google scholar: lookup
                    31. Adegoke AA, Okoh AI. Species diversity and antibiotic resistance properties of Staphylococcus of farm animal origin in Nkonkobe Municipality, South Africa. Folia Microbiol (Praha) 2014 Mar;59(2):133-40.
                      doi: 10.1007/s12223-013-0275-1pubmed: 24002789google scholar: lookup
                    32. Paterson GK, Harrison EM, Craven EF, Petersen A, Larsen AR, Ellington MJ, Török ME, Peacock SJ, Parkhill J, Zadoks RN, Holmes MA. Incidence and characterisation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from nasal colonisation in participants attending a cattle veterinary conference in the UK. PLoS One 2013;8(7):e68463.
                      doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0068463pubmed: 23869220google scholar: lookup
                    33. Hower S, Phillips MC, Brodsky M, Dameron A, Tamargo MA, Salazar NC, Jackson CR, Barrett JB, Davidson M, Davis J, Mukherjee S, Ewing RY, Gidley ML, Sinigalliano CD, Johns L, Johnson FE 3rd, Adebanjo O, Plano LR. Clonally related methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus), human volunteers, and a bayfront cetacean rehabilitation facility. Microb Ecol 2013 May;65(4):1024-38.
                      doi: 10.1007/s00248-013-0178-3pubmed: 23508733google scholar: lookup
                    34. Barton M, Hawkes M, Moore D, Conly J, Nicolle L, Allen U, Boyd N, Embree J, Van Horne L, Le Saux N, Richardson S, Moore A, Tran D, Waters V, Vearncombe M, Katz K, Weese JS, Embil J, Ofner-Agostini M, Ford-Jones EL. Guidelines for the prevention and management of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: A perspective for Canadian health care practitioners. Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol 2006 Sep;17 Suppl C(Suppl C):4C-24C.
                      pubmed: 23365589
                    35. Stull JW, Kenney DG, Slavić D, Weese JS. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a neonatal alpaca. Can Vet J 2012 Jun;53(6):670-2.
                      pubmed: 23204589
                    36. Van den Eede A, Martens A, Feryn I, Vanderhaeghen W, Lipinska U, Gasthuys F, Butaye P, Haesebrouck F, Hermans K. Low MRSA prevalence in horses at farm level. BMC Vet Res 2012 Nov 7;8:213.
                      doi: 10.1186/1746-6148-8-213pubmed: 23134703google scholar: lookup
                    37. Aklilu E, Zakaria Z, Hassan L, Hui Cheng C. Molecular relatedness of methicillin-resistant S. aureus isolates from staff, environment and pets at University Veterinary Hospital in Malaysia. PLoS One 2012;7(8):e43329.
                      doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0043329pubmed: 22937034google scholar: lookup
                    38. van Duijkeren E, Ten Horn L, Wagenaar JA, de Bruijn M, Laarhoven L, Verstappen K, de Weerd W, Meessen N, Duim B. Suspected horse-to-human transmission of MRSA ST398. Emerg Infect Dis 2011 Jun;17(6):1137-9.
                      doi: 10.3201/eid/1706.101330pubmed: 21749795google scholar: lookup
                    39. Monecke S, Coombs G, Shore AC, Coleman DC, Akpaka P, Borg M, Chow H, Ip M, Jatzwauk L, Jonas D, Kadlec K, Kearns A, Laurent F, O'Brien FG, Pearson J, Ruppelt A, Schwarz S, Scicluna E, Slickers P, Tan HL, Weber S, Ehricht R. A field guide to pandemic, epidemic and sporadic clones of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. PLoS One 2011 Apr 6;6(4):e17936.
                      doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0017936pubmed: 21494333google scholar: lookup
                    40. Hoet AE, Johnson A, Nava-Hoet RC, Bateman S, Hillier A, Dyce J, Gebreyes WA, Wittum TE. Environmental methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a veterinary teaching hospital during a nonoutbreak period. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2011 Jun;11(6):609-15.
                      doi: 10.1089/vbz.2010.0181pubmed: 21417926google scholar: lookup
                    41. Leedom Larson KR, Harper AL, Hanson BM, Male MJ, Wardyn SE, Dressler AE, Wagstrom EA, Tendolkar S, Diekema DJ, Donham KJ, Smith TC. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in pork production shower facilities. Appl Environ Microbiol 2011 Jan;77(2):696-8.
                      doi: 10.1128/AEM.01128-10pubmed: 21097587google scholar: lookup
                    42. Weese JS, Reid-Smith R, Rousseau J, Avery B. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) contamination of retail pork. Can Vet J 2010 Jul;51(7):749-52.
                      pubmed: 20885828
                    43. Lin Y, Barker E, Kislow J, Kaldhone P, Stemper ME, Pantrangi M, Moore FM, Hall M, Fritsche TR, Novicki T, Foley SL, Shukla SK. Evidence of multiple virulence subtypes in nosocomial and community-associated MRSA genotypes in companion animals from the upper midwestern and northeastern United States. Clin Med Res 2011 Mar;9(1):7-16.
                      doi: 10.3121/cmr.2010.944pubmed: 20739580google scholar: lookup
                    44. Malachowa N, DeLeo FR. Mobile genetic elements of Staphylococcus aureus. Cell Mol Life Sci 2010 Sep;67(18):3057-71.
                      doi: 10.1007/s00018-010-0389-4pubmed: 20668911google scholar: lookup
                    45. David MZ, Daum RS. Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: epidemiology and clinical consequences of an emerging epidemic. Clin Microbiol Rev 2010 Jul;23(3):616-87.
                      doi: 10.1128/CMR.00081-09pubmed: 20610826google scholar: lookup
                    46. Soares Magalhães RJ, Loeffler A, Lindsay J, Rich M, Roberts L, Smith H, Lloyd DH, Pfeiffer DU. Risk factors for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in dogs and cats: a case-control study. Vet Res 2010 Sep-Oct;41(5):55.
                      doi: 10.1051/vetres/2010028pubmed: 20423695google scholar: lookup
                    47. Tokateloff N, Manning ST, Weese JS, Campbell J, Rothenburger J, Stephen C, Bastura V, Gow SP, Reid-Smith R. Prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization in horses in Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia. Can Vet J 2009 Nov;50(11):1177-80.
                      pubmed: 20119542
                    48. Hanselman BA, Kruth SA, Rousseau J, Weese JS. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization in schoolteachers in Ontario. Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol 2008 Nov;19(6):405-8.
                      doi: 10.1155/2008/284239pubmed: 19436569google scholar: lookup
                    49. Springer B, Orendi U, Much P, Höger G, Ruppitsch W, Krziwanek K, Metz-Gercek S, Mittermayer H. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: a new zoonotic agent?. Wien Klin Wochenschr 2009;121(3-4):86-90.
                      doi: 10.1007/s00508-008-1126-ypubmed: 19280131google scholar: lookup
                    50. Smith TC, Male MJ, Harper AL, Kroeger JS, Tinkler GP, Moritz ED, Capuano AW, Herwaldt LA, Diekema DJ. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strain ST398 is present in midwestern U.S. swine and swine workers. PLoS One 2009;4(1):e4258.
                      doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0004258pubmed: 19145257google scholar: lookup
                    51. Walther B, Monecke S, Ruscher C, Friedrich AW, Ehricht R, Slickers P, Soba A, Wleklinski CG, Wieler LH, Lübke-Becker A. Comparative molecular analysis substantiates zoonotic potential of equine methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. J Clin Microbiol 2009 Mar;47(3):704-10.
                      doi: 10.1128/JCM.01626-08pubmed: 19109463google scholar: lookup
                    52. Kehrenberg C, Cuny C, Strommenger B, Schwarz S, Witte W. Methicillin-resistant and -susceptible Staphylococcus aureus strains of clonal lineages ST398 and ST9 from swine carry the multidrug resistance gene cfr. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2009 Feb;53(2):779-81.
                      doi: 10.1128/AAC.01376-08pubmed: 19047652google scholar: lookup
                    53. Burton S, Reid-Smith R, McClure JT, Weese JS. Staphylococcus aureus colonization in healthy horses in Atlantic Canada. Can Vet J 2008 Aug;49(8):797-9.
                      pubmed: 18978975
                    54. Popovich KJ, Hota B, Weinstein RA. Treatment of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Curr Infect Dis Rep 2008 Sep;10(5):411-20.
                      doi: 10.1007/s11908-008-0066-zpubmed: 18687206google scholar: lookup
                    55. Welinder-Olsson C, Florén-Johansson K, Larsson L, Oberg S, Karlsson L, Ahrén C. Infection with Panton-Valentine leukocidin-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus t034. Emerg Infect Dis 2008 Aug;14(8):1271-2.
                      doi: 10.3201/eid1408.071427pubmed: 18680653google scholar: lookup
                    56. van Loo I, Huijsdens X, Tiemersma E, de Neeling A, van de Sande-Bruinsma N, Beaujean D, Voss A, Kluytmans J. Emergence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus of animal origin in humans. Emerg Infect Dis 2007 Dec;13(12):1834-9.
                      doi: 10.3201/eid1312.070384pubmed: 18258032google scholar: lookup
                    57. Weese JS, Lefebvre SL. Risk factors for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization in horses admitted to a veterinary teaching hospital. Can Vet J 2007 Sep;48(9):921-6.
                      pubmed: 17966332
                    58. Croft DR, Sotir MJ, Williams CJ, Kazmierczak JJ, Wegner MV, Rausch D, Graham MB, Foldy SL, Wolters M, Damon IK, Karem KL, Davis JP. Occupational risks during a monkeypox outbreak, Wisconsin, 2003. Emerg Infect Dis 2007 Aug;13(8):1150-7.
                      doi: 10.3201/eid1308.061365pubmed: 17953084google scholar: lookup
                    59. Popovich KJ, Hota B, Weinstein RA. Treatment of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Curr Infect Dis Rep 2007 Sep;9(5):398-407.
                      doi: 10.1007/s11908-007-0062-8pubmed: 17880851google scholar: lookup
                    60. Witte W, Strommenger B, Stanek C, Cuny C. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ST398 in humans and animals, Central Europe. Emerg Infect Dis 2007 Feb;13(2):255-8.
                      doi: 10.3201/eid1302.060924pubmed: 17479888google scholar: lookup
                    61. Wulf M, van Nes A, Eikelenboom-Boskamp A, de Vries J, Melchers W, Klaassen C, Voss A. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in veterinary doctors and students, the Netherlands. Emerg Infect Dis 2006 Dec;12(12):1939-41.
                      doi: 10.3201/eid1212.060355pubmed: 17326948google scholar: lookup
                    62. Hanselman BA, Kruth SA, Rousseau J, Low DE, Willey BM, McGeer A, Weese JS. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization in veterinary personnel. Emerg Infect Dis 2006 Dec;12(12):1933-8.
                      doi: 10.3201/eid1212.060231pubmed: 17326947google scholar: lookup
                    63. Sasaki T, Kikuchi K, Tanaka Y, Takahashi N, Kamata S, Hiramatsu K. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in a veterinary teaching hospital. J Clin Microbiol 2007 Apr;45(4):1118-25.
                      doi: 10.1128/JCM.02193-06pubmed: 17267624google scholar: lookup
                    64. Sabino CV, Weese JS. Contamination of multiple-dose vials in a veterinary hospital. Can Vet J 2006 Aug;47(8):779-82.
                      pubmed: 16933556
                    65. Voss A, Loeffen F, Bakker J, Klaassen C, Wulf M. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in pig farming. Emerg Infect Dis 2005 Dec;11(12):1965-6.
                      doi: 10.3201/eid1112.050428pubmed: 16485492google scholar: lookup
                    66. Baptiste KE, Williams K, Willams NJ, Wattret A, Clegg PD, Dawson S, Corkill JE, O'Neill T, Hart CA. Methicillin-resistant staphylococci in companion animals. Emerg Infect Dis 2005 Dec;11(12):1942-4.
                      doi: 10.3201/eid1112.050241pubmed: 16485485google scholar: lookup
                    67. van Duijkeren E, Wolfhagen MJ, Heck ME, Wannet WJ. Transmission of a Panton-Valentine leucocidin-positive, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strain between humans and a dog. J Clin Microbiol 2005 Dec;43(12):6209-11.
                      doi: 10.1128/JCM.43.12.6209-6211.2005pubmed: 16333133google scholar: lookup
                    68. Soulsby EJ. Resistance to antimicrobials in humans and animals. BMJ 2005 Nov 26;331(7527):1219-20.
                      doi: 10.1136/bmj.331.7527.1219pubmed: 16308360google scholar: lookup
                    Subscribe to our newsletter
                    Join 99,850 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.