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Home / Equine Research Bank / Emerg Infect Dis / Spread of Multidrug-Resistant Rhodococcus equi, United State...
Emerging infectious diseases2021; 27(2); 529-537; doi: 10.3201/eid2702.203030

Spread of Multidrug-Resistant Rhodococcus equi, United States.

Abstract: Multidrug resistance has been detected in the animal and zoonotic human pathogen Rhodococcus equi after mass macrolide/rifampin antibioprophylaxis in endemically affected equine farms in the United States. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) R. equi emerged upon acquisition of pRERm46, a conjugative plasmid conferring resistance to macrolides, lincosamides, streptogramins, and, as we describe, tetracycline. Phylogenomic analyses indicate that the increasing prevalence of MDR R. equi since it was first documented in 2002 is caused by a clone, R. equi 2287, attributable to coselection of pRErm46 with a chromosomal rpoB mutation driven by macrolide/rifampin therapy. pRErm46 spillover to other R. equi genotypes has given rise to a novel MDR clone, G2016, associated with a distinct rpoB mutation. Our findings illustrate that overuse of antimicrobial prophylaxis in animals can generate MDR pathogens with zoonotic potential. MDR R. equi and pRErm46-mediated resistance are currently disseminating in the United States and are likely to spread internationally through horse movements.
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Publication Date: 2021-01-27 PubMed ID: 33496218PubMed Central: PMC7853588DOI: 10.3201/eid2702.203030Google 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 article suggests that overuse of antibiotics in farms in the United States has resulted in the spread of a multidrug-resistant pathogen, Rhodococcus equi, which could potentially cross over from animals to humans. This pathogen can resist multiple types of antibiotics due to a unique mutation, and its prevalence has been steadily increasing since 2002 due to continued overuse of antimicrobial drugs for animals.

Multidrug Resistance in Rhodococcus equi

  • The study explores the spread of a pathogen, Rhodococcus equi, that is capable of resisting multiple drugs. This pathogen affects both animals and humans and is of significant concern due to its multidrug-resistant properties.
  • This multidrug-resistant (MDR) strain of R. equi has evolved because of the overuse of macrolide/rifampin (types of antibiotics) in farms that have a high chance of disease prevalence.

Unique Mutation in R. equi

  • The multidrug resistance in R. equi is attributed to a specific mutation of pRERm46, a conjugative plasmid that is capable of resisting multiple classes of drugs, including macrolides, lincosamides, streptogramins, and tetracycline.
  • The research further identified a unique clone, R. equi 2287, which is proliferating due to the forced evolution by overuse of macrolide/rifampin therapy in animals.

Zoonotic Potential of MDR R. equi

  • The researchers caution that the multidrug-resistant R. equi has a high zoonotic potential, meaning it can be transferred from animals to humans.
  • The excessive use of antimicrobial drugs in animals is a driving factor in the emergence and spread of such multidrug-resistant pathogens. This is a significant public health concern as it could lead to harder-to-treat infections in humans.

Spread and Future Implications

  • The study concludes that MDR R. equi is currently spreading in the United States. Furthermore, it is likely to spread internationally through the movement of horses, as this pathogen commonly affects equine species and the environments in which they inhabit.
  • The study underscores the importance of cautious use of antimicrobial drugs in animals to prevent the emergence and spread of zoonotic, multidrug-resistant pathogens.

Cite This Article

APA
Álvarez-Narváez S, Giguère S, Cohen N, Slovis N, Vázquez-Boland JA. (2021). Spread of Multidrug-Resistant Rhodococcus equi, United States. Emerg Infect Dis, 27(2), 529-537. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2702.203030

Publication

Emerging infectious diseases
ISSN: 1080-6059
NlmUniqueID: 9508155
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 27
Issue: 2
Pages: 529-537

Researcher Affiliations

Álvarez-Narváez, Sonsiray
    Giguère, Steeve
      Cohen, Noah
        Slovis, Nathan
          Vázquez-Boland, José A

            MeSH Terms

            • Actinomycetales Infections / drug therapy
            • Actinomycetales Infections / epidemiology
            • Actinomycetales Infections / veterinary
            • Animals
            • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
            • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
            • Drug Resistance, Bacterial
            • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
            • Horses
            • Macrolides / pharmacology
            • Rhodococcus
            • Rhodococcus equi / genetics
            • United States / epidemiology

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            This article has been cited 12 times.
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