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

Abstract

Summary Multidrug‐resistant (MDR) bacteria are an emerging threat in human and veterinary medicine. There are few reports about infections caused by MDR isolates in horses. The aim of this study was to provide an overview of infections caused by MDR bacteria at the Equine Hospital Zurich between 2012 and 2015. Medical records were searched for horses with confirmed MDR bacterial infection. Multidrug resistance was defined according to human guidelines specific for each pathogen. MDR isolates were most commonly isolated from post‐procedural infections (53/110, 48%), followed by musculoskeletal (16/110, 15%) and soft tissue infections (16/110, 15%). Escherichia coli (32/158, 20%) and Staphylococcus aureus (25/158, 16%) were the most common isolates. High resistance rates precluded therapy with commonly used antimicrobial drugs. The overall mortality rate was 20% (22/108) but depended on the localisation of the infection. Antimicrobial treatment prior to development of infection was reported for 89% (91/102) of horses. This study showed that MDR pathogens, mainly MDR E. coli and MRSA, cause a considerable number of infections in horses. A wide range of infections was seen, however, nosocomial infections predominated. These cases are typically hospitalised, pretreated with antibiotics, and suffering from comorbidities putting them at high‐risk for acquiring infections caused by MDR isolates. The mortality of such infections was generally low but depended on site of infection.

Extended-Spectrum β-lactamase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae Shedding in Farm Horses Versus Hospitalized Horses: Prevalence and Risk Factors

“…In our study, ESBL-E shedding as well as resistance rates for chloramphenicol, enrofloxacin, gentamicin, nitrofurantoin, and trimethoprim-sulpha increased significantly during hospitalization, resulting in a significant increase in MDR bacterial species shedding (Tables 2 and 3). In light of our findings, as well as increasing resistance rates in other equine studies, we recommend implementing antibiotic stewardships in equine clinics and hospitals [31,32].…”

Prevalence, risk factors, and characterization of multidrug resistant and extended spectrum β‐lactamase/AmpC β‐lactamase producing Escherichia coli in healthy horses in France in 2015

“…Antimicrobial resistance was declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2014 as the greatest threat for human and veterinary medicine . Equine medicine also is affected, as demonstrated by the recent publication of several case reports . Nevertheless, molecular and epidemiological data in this species remains scarce .…”

Use of aminoglycoside antibiotics in equine clinical practice; a questionnaire‐based study of current use

“…The widespread use of the aminoglycoside antibiotics, especially gentamicin, persists in equine practice despite numerous studies demonstrating the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria isolated from horses (Chipangura et al., 2017; Cummings et al., 2016; Hardefeldt et al., 2019; Kaszanyitzky et al., 2003; Robinson et al., 2016; Sauer et al., 2003; Spijk et al., 2017; Theelen et al., 2013; Toombs‐Ruane et al., 2015; van Duijkeren et al., 1995). This continued use suggests that bacterial resistance does not impact on the clinical outcomes of these cases as treatment failure would inevitably result in changes in clinical practice.…”