Drug-Resistant Equine Super Bugs Are On The Increase

Alarming ‘wake-up call’ highlights the challenges vets face

- Sarah Radford

“ALARMING” levels of multi-drug-resistant bacteria are creating a challenging environment in equine veterinary clinics — posing risks to both horse and human health.

A two-year study at the Freie Universität clinic, Berlin, found a “disturbingly large fraction” of multi-drug-resistant, extended spectrum beta lactamase producing [antibiotic-destroying] E coli in equine patients.

The researchers, led by Birgit Walther, said the results showed more must be done to contain the bugs, which were detected in nasal swabs, wound swabs and faecal samples of incoming horses.

“It’s clear more emphasis on prevention is needed for the safety of patients, staff and the broader community,” the study reported, noting that these are zoonotic [transmissable between animals and humans] pathogens.

GROWING PROBLEM

PETER CLEGG, professor of equine surgery at the University of Liverpool, said similar results had been detected around the world.