Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on the skin of long-term hospitalised horses.
Abstract: Given the significance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections for both horses and staff in equine veterinary hospitals, protocols are required to minimise the risk of nosocomial transmission, including the screening of the skin and nasal chambers of equine patients for evidence of infection. The objective of this study was to clarify the potential existence and extent of MRSA on the skin of horses requiring long-term hospitalisation (≥ 6 months). Thirty such horses were sampled at eight different locations on their skin and from their nasal chambers. MRSA was isolated from 12 animals (40%), with all sample sites testing positive on at least one occasion. Organisms were most frequently detected in the nasal chambers (relative sensitivity, 83.3%; 34.5% positive horses; isolation rate 33.3%). Skin presence was found in 30% of animals with the highest isolation rates found at the carpus (16.7%), neck, withers and croup (13.3% each). To achieve a relative screening sensitivity of >90%, at least one skin site was required in addition to nasal sampling. This evidence of skin as well as nasal reservoirs of MRSA in long-term hospitalised horses should facilitate the design of effective screening and containment protocols.
Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2012-01-20 PubMed ID: 22264643DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2011.12.004Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The study examined the presence and extent of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), an antibiotic-resistant bacteria, on the skin and nasal regions of horses needing long-term hospitalisation. It was found that a combination of skin and nasal tests was necessary for a thorough screening.
Objective and Methodology of the Study
- The aim of the research was to assess the extent of MRSA on the skin of horses that have been hospitalised for six months or more. This is particularly important because MRSA is a significant risk for the staff and other horses in veterinary hospitals.
- In this study, 30 horses that were subjected to long-term hospitalisation were tested for MRSA. Samples were taken from eight different locations on their skin and also from their nasal chambers.
Findings of the Study
- MRSA was found in 12 out of 30 horses, showing that the percentage of infection in long-term hospitalised horses is significant (40%). All of the sampled sites on the horses showed the presence of MRSA at least once.
- The nasal chambers were the most frequent site where MRSA was found. The infection rate here was 33.3%, with 34.5% horses testing positive.
- MRSA was also present on skin sites, with an infection rate of 30%, the carpus, neck, withers and croup (the top of the horse’s hindquarters) being most frequently affected.
- To achieve a relative screening sensitivity of >90%, at least one skin site in addition to nasal sampling was found to be required.
Conclusions and Implications
- The findings of this study confirm that MRSA can exist not only in the nasal regions but also on the skin of horses that need to be hospitalised for long durations.
- The results of the study could help in designing effective protocols for screening and containing MRSA in equine veterinary hospitals. Careful monitoring of the skin and nasal chambers in horses would be central to these protocols, considering their high frequency of MRSA infections.
Cite This Article
APA
Van den Eede A, Hermans K, Van den Abeele A, Floré K, Dewulf J, Vanderhaeghen W, Crombé F, Butaye P, Gasthuys F, Haesebrouck F, Martens A.
(2012).
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on the skin of long-term hospitalised horses.
Vet J, 193(2), 408-411.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2011.12.004 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Surgery and Anaesthesiology of Domestic Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium. Annelies.VandenEede@Ugent.be
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
- Bacterial Typing Techniques / veterinary
- Belgium / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horses
- Methicillin / pharmacology
- Methicillin Resistance / genetics
- Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / genetics
- Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification
- Microbial Sensitivity Tests / veterinary
- Nose Diseases / epidemiology
- Nose Diseases / microbiology
- Nose Diseases / veterinary
- Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
- Staphylococcal Skin Infections / epidemiology
- Staphylococcal Skin Infections / microbiology
- Staphylococcal Skin Infections / veterinary
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