Abstract

BackgroundWe aimed to investigate the prevalence, molecular epidemiology and prevalence factors for Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) shedding by race horses. A cross-sectional study was performed involving fecal samples collected from 169 Thoroughbred horses that were housed at a large racing facility in Ontario, Canada. Samples were enriched, plated on selective plates, sub-cultured to obtain pure cultures and ESBL production was confirmed. Bacterial species were identified and antibiotic susceptibility profiles were assessed. E. coli sequence types (ST) and ESBL genes were determined using multilocus sequence type (MLST) and sequencing. Whole genome sequencing was performed to isolates harboring CTX-M-1 gene. Medical records were reviewed and associations were investigated.ResultsAdult horses (n = 169), originating from 16 different barns, were sampled. ESBL-E shedding rate was 12% (n = 21/169, 95% CI 8–18%); 22 ESBL-E isolates were molecularly studied (one horse had two isolates). The main species was E. coli (91%) and the major ESBL gene was CTX-M-1 (54.5%). Ten different E. coli STs were identified. Sixty-four percent of total isolates were defined as multi-drug resistant. ESBL-E shedding horses originated from 8/16 different barns; whereas 48% (10/21) of them originated from one specific barn. Overall, antibiotic treatment in the previous month was found as a prevalence factor for ESBL-E shedding (p = 0.016, prevalence OR = 27.72, 95% CI 1.845–416.555).ConclusionsOur findings demonstrate the potential diverse reservoir of ESBL-E in Thoroughbred race horses. Multi-drug resistant bacteria should be further investigated to improve antibiotic treatment regimens and equine welfare.

Highlights

  • We aimed to investigate the prevalence, molecular epidemiology and prevalence factors for Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) shedding by race horses

  • Antibiotic resistance has been described as an emerging concern in a wide range of pathogens, such as extended spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) [1, 2]

  • Infections with Extended spectrum β lactamase (ESBL)-E are associated with increased morbidity, mortality, length of hospital stay, delay of targeted appropriate treatment and higher costs [5]

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Summary

Introduction

We aimed to investigate the prevalence, molecular epidemiology and prevalence factors for Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) shedding by race horses. ESBL are widespread enzymes, which confer resistance to extended spectrum cephalosporins and aztreonam, not to cephamycins or carbapenems, and are inhibited by β-lactamase inhibitors [3]. These genes are mostly mobile genetic element encoded, and may carry additional antimicrobial resistances, including aminoglycoside, sulfa-derivative, trimethoprim and quinolone resistance [4]. Race horses represent a unique equine community, due to high population density, shared training and living facilities, intense movement of horses, stress and medical treatments. All these factors create complex epidemiology for pathogen transfer [11]. Data regarding colonization of race horses with different ESBL-E species, sequence types (ST) and factors associated with carriage are lacking

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