Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in horses and horse personnel: An investigation of several outbreaks

Evolution of Multidrug-ResistantStaphylococcus aureusInfections in Horses and Colonized Personnel in an Equine Clinic Between 2005 and 2010

“…Such a rapid spread of MRSA among the horses and personnel also happened in the Netherlands after the introduction of MRSA into the clinic. 38 In Bern, MRSA ST398-t011-IVa was first detected among one member of the personnel; it has never been detected in horses earlier. This person was previously working in an equine clinic in Belgium, a country where MRSA ST398-t011 is prevalent in the equine population.…”

“…17,31,35,38,42 Specific MRSA belonging to clonal complexes CC1, CC5, CC8, CC22, CC59, CC88, CC398, and mainly to spa type t002, t008, t009, t011, t020, t022, t032, t034, t036, t064, t127, t166, t186, t216, t451, t588, t1197, t1451, and t2123 have been identified as a cause of nosocomial infections in numerous equine clinics. 9,27,[37][38][39]43 S. aureus can colonize the skin and mucosa, especially nasal mucosa, of healthy horses and humans, which then acts as a reservoir for MRSA and contributes to its spread into the community and hospitals. 14,35,38,40 Horses entering the hospital have been shown to contribute to the introduction and spread of MRSA in the clinic.…”

“…9,27,[37][38][39]43 S. aureus can colonize the skin and mucosa, especially nasal mucosa, of healthy horses and humans, which then acts as a reservoir for MRSA and contributes to its spread into the community and hospitals. 14,35,38,40 Horses entering the hospital have been shown to contribute to the introduction and spread of MRSA in the clinic. 38 Once present in the hospital environment, MRSA may persist and become responsible for increasing rates of nosocomial infections.…”

“…14,35,38,40 Horses entering the hospital have been shown to contribute to the introduction and spread of MRSA in the clinic. 38 Once present in the hospital environment, MRSA may persist and become responsible for increasing rates of nosocomial infections. Colonized veterinary personnel can potentially transmit MRSA to humans or to their equine patients and can contaminate materials.…”

“…4,35,41 MRSA was detected in rooms where veterinary students and staff member gather. 30,38 Hand hygiene is considered to be one of the most important infection-control tools in human medicine 28 and has also been shown to limit the number of infections with MRSA in equine clinics. 1,31 Bacterial infections of horses have been routinely screened at the Equine Clinic of Bern, Switzerland.…”