Combating Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus at Equine Clinics: Recommendations for a Future Control Program at the Department and Clinic of Equine Medicine - Literature Review

Abstract

Nosocomial infections, meaning those contracted while hospitalized or receiving medical attention, are an important area of research not only in human medicine, but in veterinary medicine as well. Equine Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and specifically ST398 in Europe, is able to affect both horses and humans in many ways, ranging from subclinical nasal carriage in both horses and those who work with them, to fatal infections in affected horses. As Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is naturally part of environmental and animal flora, it easily survives in the hospital setting. This combined with its genetic ability to adapt to various antimicrobial drugs used in attempts to treat these infections, poses a great risk for equine health. There are also potential zoonotic considerations with this strain of bacteria. Given this, creating and implementing effective biosecurity protocols into equine hospitals is of great importance to eradicate MRSA from the equine hospital setting and prevent future MRSA introduction.