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Journal of medical microbiology2024; 73(8); doi: 10.1099/jmm.0.001873

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus outbreak in a Dutch equine referral clinic.

Abstract: In 2020 and 2022, nine cases of surgical site infections with a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were diagnosed in horses in an equine referral clinic. Sixteen isolates (horses, n=9; environment, n=3; and staff members, n=4) were analysed retrospectively using Nanopore whole-genome sequencing to investigate the relatedness of two suspected MRSA outbreaks (2020 and 2022). The MRSA isolates belonged to ST398 and ST612. ST398 genomes from 2020 and 2022 formed three phylogenetic clusters. The first ST398 cluster from 2020 consisted of isolates from five horses and one staff member, and we suspected within clinic transmission. The second cluster of ST398 isolates from 2022 originated from two horses and two staff members but showed higher single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) distances. One ST398 isolate from an individual staff member was not related to the other two clusters. The ST612 isolates were isolated in 2022 from two horses and three environmental samples and showed very low SNP distances (<7 SNPs), indicating the transmission of MRSA ST612 in this clinic in 2022. Molecular characterization revealed an abundant set of virulence genes and plasmids in the ST612 isolates in comparison to ST398 isolates. Phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility showed that differences between the two sequence types were consistent with the genetic characteristics. MRSA ST612 has not been reported in Europe before, but it is a dominant clone in African hospitals and has been described in horses and people working with horses in Australia, indicating the importance of surveillance.
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Publication Date: 2024-08-31 PubMed ID: 39207837PubMed Central: PMC11361372DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001873Google 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.

The research investigates outbreaks of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a type of bacterial infection, in a Dutch equine clinic. Using Nanopore whole-genome sequencing, researchers identified three different MRSA strains and tracked their transmission within the clinic environment, staff, and horse population.

Approach to Research

  • The research team focused on nine cases of MRSA infections in horses that were identified in a Dutch horse referral clinic during the years 2020 and 2022.
  • A total of 16 MRSA isolates from horses, the clinic environment, and clinic staff members were retrospectively analyzed using Nanopore whole-genome sequencing. This technique exposes the comprehensive genetic information of the bacteria, allowing the investigators to classify the infections and track their transmission.

Finding of the Research

  • The MRSA isolates were identified as strains ST398 and ST612. These labels refer to genetic “sequence types” that differentiate variants of MRSA.
  • Three distinct clusters of ST398 were identified from the 2020 and 2022 samples. The first cluster was suspected to have spread within the clinic due to similar isolate identification in five horses and one staff member.
  • The second cluster from 2022 showed a higher level of genetic variation and was found in two horses and two staff members. One additional ST398 sample from a staff member was determined to be unrelated to the other clusters.
  • In 2022, ST612 isolates were identified in two horses and three environmental samples. The low level of genetic variation between these samples suggests the transmission of MRSA ST612 within the clinic during this year.

Characteristics of the Isolates

  • The research team performed a comprehensive molecular characterization of the MRSA samples, revealing a considerable number of virulence genes and plasmids in the ST612 isolates compared to the ST398 isolates. These elements are associated with the bacteria’s ability to spread and cause disease.
  • Antimicrobial susceptibility tests demonstrated differences between the two MRSA strains. These findings were consistent with their respective genetic characteristics.

Significance and Implications

  • The research team observed that ST612, a dominant MRSA strain in African hospitals, had not been reported in Europe before. However, it has been identified in both horses and people interacting with horses in Australia.
  • The investigation results underscore the importance of continuous surveillance not only for the prevention and containment of MRSA outbreaks within equine clinics, but also for tracking the global distribution of these bacteria strains.

Cite This Article

APA
Kannekens-Jager MM, Duim B, der Graaf-van Bloois LV, Zomer AL, Broekhuizen-Stins MJ, Boswinkel M, Wagenaar JA, Broens EM. (2024). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus outbreak in a Dutch equine referral clinic. J Med Microbiol, 73(8). https://doi.org/10.1099/jmm.0.001873

Publication

Journal of medical microbiology
ISSN: 1473-5644
NlmUniqueID: 0224131
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 73
Issue: 8

Researcher Affiliations

Kannekens-Jager, Marleen M
  • Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.
Duim, Birgitta
  • Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.
der Graaf-van Bloois, Linda van
  • Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.
Zomer, Aldert L
  • Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.
Broekhuizen-Stins, Marian J
  • Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.
Boswinkel, Maarten
  • Animal Hospital De Visdonk, Roosendaal, Netherlands.
Wagenaar, Jaap A
  • Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.
Broens, Els M
  • Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / genetics
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / classification
  • Staphylococcal Infections / epidemiology
  • Staphylococcal Infections / veterinary
  • Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology
  • Staphylococcal Infections / transmission
  • Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / microbiology
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Netherlands / epidemiology
  • Phylogeny
  • Whole Genome Sequencing
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Surgical Wound Infection / microbiology
  • Surgical Wound Infection / epidemiology
  • Surgical Wound Infection / veterinary
  • Hospitals, Animal
  • Virulence Factors / genetics

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

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