Cross-sectional study of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in horses. Part 2: Risk factors for faecal carriage of antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli in horses.
Authors: Maddox T W, Pinchbeck G L, Clegg P D, Wedley A L, Dawson S, Williams N J
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary Antimicrobial-resistant and extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing *Escherichia coli* pose an emerging threat to both human and equine medicine, yet the epidemiology of faecal carriage in UK horses—particularly those outside intensive veterinary settings—remained poorly understood when this research was conducted. The authors undertook a cross-sectional survey to identify specific risk factors associated with shedding of resistant *E. coli* in equine faeces, examining exposure histories and management practices across a community-based horse population. The study revealed that prior antimicrobial exposure was a significant risk factor for resistant *E. coli* carriage, with horses receiving treatment within defined timeframes showing substantially elevated odds of harbouring resistant strains; moreover, certain management and environmental variables also contributed to colonisation risk. These findings have important implications for prudent antimicrobial stewardship in equine practice, suggesting that restricting unnecessary treatment and implementing stricter biosecurity measures could reduce the reservoir of resistant bacteria in the horse population and thereby limit zoonotic transmission risks to human contacts and the broader environment.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Understanding which horses are at higher risk of carrying antimicrobial-resistant bacteria can help inform prudent antimicrobial stewardship practices and biosecurity measures in equine practice
- •This research helps veterinarians identify which horses may pose a transmission risk for resistant organisms to other animals and potentially to humans
- •Risk factor identification enables targeted monitoring and management strategies for horses most likely to carry resistant pathogens
Key Findings
- •This cross-sectional study investigated risk factors for faecal carriage of antimicrobial-resistant E. coli in UK horses
- •The prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant and ESBL-producing E. coli in horses represents a significant public and veterinary health concern
- •Risk factors for faecal carriage of resistant bacteria in community horses had not been well characterized prior to this study