Researchers Study Possible Human-to-Horse MRSA Transmission
This study confirms the need for strict hygiene management programs within veterinary hospitals to prevent MRSA transmission between veterinarians and horses. | Photo: iStock
When veterinarians diagnosed MRSA infection in hospitalized Thoroughbred racehorses at two veterinary hospitals in Japan not long ago, they wondered about the source of the infection. Such cases are tough to manage and lead to lost training days, all while posing a risk to human health.

The veterinarians, who work for the Japan Racing Association (JRA), conducted a thorough investigation to determine the infection’s origin. Taisuke Kuroda, DVM, PhD, presented their findings at the 2017 American Association of Equine Practitioners convention, held Nov. 17-21 in San Antonio, Texas.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a Gram-positive bacterium that differs genetically from other S. aureus strains, making it resistant to many antibiotics. Therefore, it is particularly difficult to treat and causes more human deaths than methicillin-susceptible strains.

The bacterium is colonized on the skin and in the nasal passages of humans and animals. Scientists estimate that the level of nasal MRSA colonization in healthy horses is 2% in the United Kingdom and 4.7% in the United States and Canada. Among people in the veterinary community, the level of nasal MRSA colonization has been shown to be 15.6% in the United States, 9.3% in Canada, and 21.4% in Australia. There are three routes of transmission of MRSA in the human population; between people within a community, between health care workers and the larger community and between humans and livestock

Create a free account with TheHorse.com to view this content.

TheHorse.com is home to thousands of free articles about horse health care. In order to access some of our exclusive free content, you must be signed into TheHorse.com.

Start your free account today!

Already have an account?
and continue reading.