Prevention and control of methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus in equine hospitals in Sweden
Year: 2013
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was first described in 1961 and has since \ncaused nosocomial infections and therapeutic limitations. In Sweden, the first finding \nof horses infected with MRSA was in 2008. Nosocomial spread of MRSA among \nhorses is a hazard for the patients and those in contact with the animals. Therefore, \nthere is a need to introduce or improve routines for prevention and control of MRSA in \nveterinary care. MRSA spa-type t011, CC398 caused an outbreak of surgical site \ninfections in horses. MRSA CC398 is associated with livestock and has been reported \nin horses in Europe. The superficial infections healed without antimicrobial treatment. \nLongitudinal sampling of post-infected horses showed that all tested negative by time, \nmedian 143 days. The most sensitive site to test for MRSA carriage was the nostrils, \nwith a relative sensitivity of 0.91. Due to few sampled cases (n=9) MRSA carriage in \nhorses needs more study. Transmission of MRSA by horses and humans to the \nenvironment was shown through environmental screening. In total, 10 of 92 samples \nwere positive. The screening was a useful tool in the implementation of basic hygiene. \nRapid response combined with multidisciplinary collaboration was key in the outbreak \ncontrol. This led to an improved infection control (IC) operation. Infection control \nprocedures used in human health care were mainly applicable, but existing differences \nbetween equine and human settings require adapted solutions. Baseline data on IC \nprocedures in three equine hospitals was collected. Overall excellent compliance with \ndress regulations and personal appearance (no rings or wrist watches, short nails etc.) \nwas shown. Compliance with hand hygiene procedures was poorer. Purchase data per \npatient of hygiene products were useful to indirectly monitor compliance trends over \ntime. Barriers to compliance were such as inaccessible hygiene products, insufficient \nknowledge of procedures and high work load. The knowledge presented in this thesis \non epidemiology and prevention and control of MRSA in equine medicine can be used \nin the development and implementation of IC procedures in Swedish equine hospitals. \nSupplementary multidisciplinary studies of MRSA carriage in horses, species-specific \nfactors affecting IC and, implementation and compliance with IC can develop the topic further.
Author: Karin Bergström
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: Uppsala Universitet
OpenAlex ID: W2116542307