title: Molecular epidemiology of environmental MRSA at an equine teaching hospital: introduction, circulation and maintenance.
abstract: The role that environmental contamination might play as a reservoir and a possible source of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) for patients and personnel at equine veterinary hospitals remains undefined, as the environment has only been monitored during outbreaks or for short periods. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine the monthly presence, distribution, and characteristics of environmental MRSA at an equine hospital, and to establish patterns of contamination over time using molecular epidemiological analyses. For this purpose, a yearlong active MRSA surveillance was performed targeting the environment and incoming patients. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing, SCCmec typing, PFGE typing, and dendrographic analysis were used to characterize and analyze these isolates. Overall, 8.6% of the surfaces and 5.8% of the horses sampled were positive for MRSA. The most common contaminated surfaces were: computers, feed-water buckets, and surgery tables-mats. Ninety percent of the isolates carried SCCmec type IV, and 62.0% were classified as USA500. Molecular analysis showed that new pulsotypes were constantly introduced into the hospital throughout the year. However, maintenance of strains in the environment was also observed when unique clones were detected for 2 consecutive months on the same surfaces. Additionally, pulsotypes were circulating throughout several areas and different contact surfaces of the hospital. Based on these results, it is evident that MRSA is constantly introduced and frequently found in the equine hospital environment, and that some contact surfaces could act as "hot-spots". These contaminated surfaces should be actively targeted for strict cleaning and disinfection as well as regular monitoring.
authors.forename: Joany
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van Balen
authors.forename: Jade
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mowery
authors.forename: Micha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Piraino-Sandoval
authors.forename: Rocio C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Nava-Hoet
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kohn
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, 1900 Coffey Road, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. hoet.1@osu.edu.
authors.forename: Armando E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Hoet
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial / Q000662:veterinary; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field / Q000662:veterinary; D004783:Environmental Microbiology; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D006736:Horses; D006762:Hospitals, Animal; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D060885:Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D009820:Ohio / Q000453:epidemiology; D012621:Seasons; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins