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One health (Amsterdam, Netherlands)2019; 7; 100091; doi: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2019.100091

Zoonotic multidrug-resistant microorganisms among non-hospitalized horses from Germany.

Abstract: Colonization with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) belonging to the genus Staphylococcus and the order Enterobacterales poses a particular threat to populations at risk. While previous studies focused on MDRO carriage among livestock or companion animals, respective epidemiological data on the general equine population are limited. Here, carriage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) in non-hospitalized horses living on private farms in the rural area in Northwest Germany was assessed. Intranasal and perianal swab samples were cultured on solid chromogenic media directly and after enrichment in tryptic soy broth, respectively. S. aureus isolates were spa-typed, MRSA and ESBL-E were further classified by phenotypic and molecular methods. Additionally, a subgroup of the first 20 samples was used to isolate and characterize staphylococci other than S. aureus. Among 223 horses, fifteen (6.8%) carried S. aureus. Two isolates were identified as MRSA (0.9% of all horses, mecA-positive) and classified as spa types t011 and t6867, both known as members of the livestock-associated MRSA MLST clonal complex 398. Nine horses (4.0%) were colonized by ESBL-Escherichia coli positive for bla CTX-M and/or bla TEM. ESBL-E carriage was associated with prior antibiotic treatment (4/31 vs. 5/183; p = 0.0362) and veterinary examinations (4/31 vs. 5/183; p = 0.0362). In the subgroup, nine different staphylococcal species other than S. aureus were found. The high prevalence of ESBL-E. coli in non-hospitalized horses underlines the necessity to raise awareness for strain dissemination across different hosts in order to do justice to the "One Health" concept.
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Publication Date: 2019-04-01 PubMed ID: 31016221PubMed Central: PMC6468158DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2019.100091Google 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.

The research explores the prevalence of multiple drug-resistant organisms, specifically MRSA and ESBL-producing E. coli, amongst non-hospitalized horses in Germany, associating prior antibiotic treatment and veterinary examinations with ESBL-E colonization.

Study Objectives and Methods

  • The study aims to understand the prevalence of multidrug-resistant organisms among non-hospitalized horses. The organisms of interest are methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-E).
  • Horses living in private farms in a rural area in Northwest Germany were the subjects of this study. Intranasal and perianal swab samples were taken from the horses, then cultured on solid chromogenic media and after enrichment in tryptic soy broth.
  • The researchers also used phenotypic and molecular methods to classify these two strains of bacteria. Additionally, a subgroup of the first 20 samples was isolated and analyzed to identify any non-Staphylococcus aureus staphylococcal species.

Research Findings

  • Among 223 horses, 15 (6.8%) were found to carry Staphylococcus aureus. Within this number, two were identified as carriers of MRSA.
  • The MRSA isolates were associated with two strain types known to be part of the livestock-associated MRSA MLST clonal complex 398, confirming livestock as potential reservoirs of MRSA.
  • Moreover, nine of the horses (4.0%) were colonized by ESBL-E. The carriage of ESBL-E was related to prior antibiotic treatment and veterinary examinations, suggesting these as risk factors for ESBL-E colonization.
  • In the subgroup analysis, nine different species of staphylococci other than Staphylococcus aureus were discovered.

Conclusions and Recommendations

  • The study highlights a high prevalence of ESBL-E in non-hospitalized horses, indicating the need for increased awareness and prevention strategies against bacterial strain dissemination across different host species.
  • This research underlines the importance of the “One Health” concept, which argues for combined efforts between medical, veterinary, and environmental health research to ensure the wellbeing of all species.

Cite This Article

APA
Kaspar U, von Lützau K, Schlattmann A, Rösler U, Köck R, Becker K. (2019). Zoonotic multidrug-resistant microorganisms among non-hospitalized horses from Germany. One Health, 7, 100091. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.onehlt.2019.100091

Publication

One health (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
ISSN: 2352-7714
NlmUniqueID: 101660501
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 7
Pages: 100091

Researcher Affiliations

Kaspar, Ursula
  • Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany.
von Lützau, Knut
  • Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany.
Schlattmann, Andreas
  • Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany.
Rösler, Uwe
  • Institute for Animal Hygiene and Environmental Health, FU Berlin, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Berlin, Germany.
Köck, Robin
  • Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany.
Becker, Karsten
  • Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany.

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