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Brazilian journal of microbiology : [publication of the Brazilian Society for Microbiology]2024; 55(4); 4147-4155; doi: 10.1007/s42770-024-01479-8

Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of Streptococcus equi isolated from horses in Santa Catarina state, Southern Brazil.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Streptococcus equi (S. equi subsp equi and S. equi subsp zooepidemicus) in the state of Santa Catarina and evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates. For this, 420 nasal swab samples were collected from randomly selected horses. Isolation and phenotypic characterization of the bacteria were performed by sowing on 5% sheep blood agar, followed by analysis of morphotinctorial characteristics and biochemical analysis. To differentiate the main beta-hemolytic Streptococcus in horses, the fermentation profiles of the sugar's lactose, maltose, sorbitol, and trehalose were used, which were confirmed at the subspecies level by the PCR technique. The antimicrobial susceptibility panel was defined by the disk diffusion method, testing 13 antimicrobials from ten different classes, all regularly used in equine medical clinics, followed by the calculation of the multiple antimicrobial resistance index. Ten strains of S. equi were isolated, with a prevalence of 2.38% (10/420). Of the total positive samples, 3% (3/10) were confirmed as belonging to S. equi subsp equi and 70% (7/10) were confirmed as belonging to S. zooepidemicus. Multidrug resistance was observed in 60% (6/10) of isolates. The antimicrobial with the greatest resistance was clindamycin with 70% (7/10), followed by beta-lactams, with 40% (4/10) resistance to penicillin and 30% (3/10) to ceftiofur. The isolates were 100% (10/10) sensitive to gentamicin, chloramphenicol, levofloxacin, and vancomycin. This was the first study carried out in the state, and based on these data, it can be said that Santa Catarina has a low prevalence of S. equi and the presence of multi-resistant strains of S. equi was confirmed in the equine herd in Santa Catarina.
© 2024. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Sociedade Brasileira de Microbiologia.
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Publication Date: 2024-08-19 PubMed ID: 39155341PubMed Central: PMC11711425DOI: 10.1007/s42770-024-01479-8Google 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.

Overview

  • This study investigated the presence of two subspecies of Streptococcus equi in horses in Santa Catarina state, Southern Brazil.
  • It also assessed how resistant these bacterial isolates are to various antibiotics commonly used in equine medicine.

Study Objective

  • Determine the prevalence of Streptococcus equi subsp. equi and Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus among horses in Santa Catarina.
  • Evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of the isolated bacteria.

Sample Collection and Bacterial Identification

  • 420 nasal swab samples were collected from horses selected at random within the state.
  • Isolation of bacteria was done by culturing the samples on 5% sheep blood agar.
  • Subsequent phenotypic characterization included:
    • Examining the colony morphology and coloration (morphotinctorial traits).
    • Biochemical analysis based on fermentation profiles for sugars such as lactose, maltose, sorbitol, and trehalose, which help to differentiate key beta-hemolytic Streptococcus species.
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was used to confirm the bacterial subspecies.

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing

  • Performed using the disk diffusion method on the bacterial isolates.
  • Tested against 13 antimicrobials spanning 10 classes regularly used in equine clinics.
  • Multiple Antimicrobial Resistance (MAR) index was calculated to assess resistance levels.

Key Findings: Prevalence

  • 10 strains of Streptococcus equi were isolated from 420 samples, representing a prevalence of 2.38%.
  • Among positive samples:
    • 3 out of 10 isolates (30%) were confirmed as S. equi subsp. equi.
    • 7 out of 10 isolates (70%) were confirmed as S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus.

Key Findings: Antimicrobial Resistance

  • Multidrug resistance was observed in 60% (6 out of 10) of the isolates, indicating resistance to multiple classes of antibiotics.
  • Highest resistance rates were noted for:
    • Clindamycin: 70% resistant (7/10 isolates).
    • Beta-lactams:
      • Penicillin: 40% resistant (4/10 isolates).
      • Ceftiofur: 30% resistant (3/10 isolates).
  • Conversely, all isolates (100%) were sensitive to:
    • Gentamicin
    • Chloramphenicol
    • Levofloxacin
    • Vancomycin

Significance of the Study

  • This is the first study of its kind conducted in Santa Catarina state examining S. equi prevalence and antibiotic resistance in horses.
  • The low prevalence (2.38%) suggests that S. equi infections in horses are not widespread in this region.
  • However, detection of multidrug-resistant strains raises concerns about treatment options and the potential for resistant infections to spread within the equine population.
  • These findings highlight the need for continued surveillance and prudent use of antimicrobials in equine health management in the region.

Cite This Article

APA
Veiga RF, Clarindo LN, Fensterseifer AL, Pompelli LH, Sfaciotte RAP, Schwarz DGG, Eloy LR, Ferraz SM. (2024). Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of Streptococcus equi isolated from horses in Santa Catarina state, Southern Brazil. Braz J Microbiol, 55(4), 4147-4155. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42770-024-01479-8

Publication

Brazilian journal of microbiology : [publication of the Brazilian Society for Microbiology]
ISSN: 1678-4405
NlmUniqueID: 101095924
Country: Brazil
Language: English
Volume: 55
Issue: 4
Pages: 4147-4155

Researcher Affiliations

Veiga, Roberta F
  • Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Centro Agroveterinário, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Lages, SC, 88520000, Brazil. vetrobertaveiga@gmail.com.
Clarindo, Luiza N
  • Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Centro Agroveterinário, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Lages, SC, 88520000, Brazil.
Fensterseifer, Arthur L
  • Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Centro Agroveterinário, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Lages, SC, 88520000, Brazil.
Pompelli, Luis H
  • Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Centro Agroveterinário, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Lages, SC, 88520000, Brazil.
Sfaciotte, Ricardo A P
  • Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Centro Agroveterinário, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Lages, SC, 88520000, Brazil.
Schwarz, David Germano G
  • Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Centro Agroveterinário, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Lages, SC, 88520000, Brazil.
Eloy, Lidiane R
  • Departamento de Agrometeorologia e Forragicultura, Faculdade de Agronomia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, 91540000, Brazil.
Ferraz, Sandra M
  • Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Centro Agroveterinário, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Lages, SC, 88520000, Brazil.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses / microbiology
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Horse Diseases / microbiology
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Streptococcal Infections / veterinary
  • Streptococcal Infections / microbiology
  • Streptococcal Infections / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Streptococcus equi / drug effects
  • Streptococcus equi / isolation & purification
  • Streptococcus equi / classification
  • Streptococcus equi / genetics
  • Streptococcus

Grant Funding

  • 001 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior

Conflict of Interest Statement

Declarations. Conflict of interest: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Khalid E, Tartor YH, Ammar AM, Abdelaziz R, Mahmmod Y, Abdelkhalek A. Controlling drug-resistant bacteria in Arabian horses: bacteriophage cocktails for treating wound infections. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1609955.
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  2. Seeger MG, de Vargas APC, Vogel FSF, Cargnelutti JF. Streptococcus equi subsp. equi isolated from horses in Southern Brazil: molecular and phenotypic analyses. Braz J Microbiol 2025 Dec;56(4):2987-2996.
    doi: 10.1007/s42770-025-01783-xpubmed: 41032072google scholar: lookup
  3. Araújo IRDS, de Brito EL, de Melo UP, Mariz ALB, Cavalheiro MT, Ferreira C, de Morais LF, de Souza RF. Knowledge levels regarding antibiotics and their use among horse owners in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Braz J Vet Med 2025;47:e000425.
    doi: 10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm000425pubmed: 40453163google scholar: lookup
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