A retrospective study of bacterial pathogens in an equine hospital (1988–2014)

Abstract

Knowledge about local pathogen prevalence is important for guiding initial antimicrobial therapy. The aim of this study was to describe the longitudinal occurrence of bacterial pathogens in hospitalized horses at the University of Zurich between 1988 and 2014. Positive culture results were retrospectively analyzed. Isolates were grouped based on sample site, diagnosis, and year of isolation. The frequency of bacterial isolates over time was compared using the Chi-Square test. Escherichia coli (299/1,723, 17%), Streptococcus equi ssp. zooepidemicus (295/1,723, 17%) and coagulase-positive staphylococci (196/1,723, 11%) were the most common pathogens. Anaerobes were common in dental (18/66, 27%), peritoneal (6/43, 14%) and soft tissue infections (28/208, 13%). Mixed infections were common in skin and dental infections (24/55, 44% and 17/43, 40%, respectively). Frequently isolated bacteria in most organ systems included Gram-positives and Gram-negatives, supporting the need for initial broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy until culture and susceptibility results become available. AbstractKnowledge about local pathogen prevalence is important for guiding initial antimicrobial therapy. The aim of this study was to describe the longitudinal occurrence of bacterial pathogens in hospitalized horses at the University of Zurich between 1988 and 2014. Positive culture results were retrospectively analyzed. Isolates were grouped based on sample site, diagnosis, and year of isolation. The frequency of bacterial isolates over time was compared using the Chi-Square test. Escherichia coli (299/1,723, 17%), Streptococcus equi ssp. zooepidemicus (295/1,723, 17%) and coagulase-positive staphylococci (196/1,723, 11%) were the most common pathogens. Anaerobes were common in dental (18/66, 27%), peritoneal (6/43, 14%) and soft tissue infections (28/208, 13%). Mixed infections were common in skin and dental infections (24/55, 44% and 17/43, 40%, respectively). Frequently isolated bacteria in most organ systems included Gram-positives and Gram-negatives, supporting the need for initial broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy until culture and susceptibility results become available.

Infections caused by multidrug‐resistant bacteria in an equine hospital (2012–2015)

“…In contrast, respiratory infections caused by MDR isolates were rarely seen, although respiratory infections are the most commonly diagnosed bacterial infections at our hospital (van Spijk et al . ). Nosocomial infections, defined as hospital acquired infections not present at admission (WHO ), caused by MDR E. coli and MRSA were previously reported in horses (Anderson et al .…”

“…and others, are common pathogens in horses (van Spijk et al . ) and are known for their ability to acquire antimicrobial resistance (Vo et al . ).…”

“…Enterobacteriaceae, including E. coli, Klebsiella spp., Enterobacter spp. and others, are common pathogens in horses (van Spijk et al 2016a) and are known for their ability to acquire antimicrobial resistance (Vo et al 2007). Production of b-lactamase enzymes after acquisition of plasmid-mediated ESBL is the most important resistance mechanism in Enterobacteriaceae leading to extended spectrum b-lactam resistance.…”

“…); however, they are also important pathogens causing a wide range of infections (van Spijk et al . ). An increasing prevalence of equine infections caused by methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been reported during the last years (van Duijkeren et al .…”

“…Staphylococcus spp. and E. coli are commensals on the equine mucosal membrane and gut, respectively (Devriese et al 1985;Corrente et al 2009;Damborg et al 2012); however, they are also important pathogens causing a wide range of infections (van Spijk et al 2016a). An increasing prevalence of equine infections caused by methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been reported during the last years (van Duijkeren et al 2010).…”