This study systematically analyzed the diversity of Staphylococcus species in the skin microbiota of healthy riding horses and their antibiotic resistance characteristics, revealing that 36% of isolates exhibited resistance to at least one antibiotic, with 7 strains identified as multidrug-resistant. The research emphasizes the potential public health risks these strains pose to human health, particularly for individuals undergoing equine-assisted therapy.
Literature Overview
The article, titled 'Analysis of Staphylococcal Diversity in the Skin Microbiota of Healthy Riding Horses,' published in the journal Antibiotics, reviews and summarizes common Staphylococcus species and their antibiotic resistance profiles in the skin of healthy horses. A total of 11 Staphylococcus species were isolated, with S. xylosus, S. sciuri, and S. vitulinus being the most prevalent. Notably, 36% of the isolates exhibited resistance to at least one antibiotic, and 7 strains were classified as multidrug-resistant. One of these, S. aureus, was identified as a methicillin-resistant strain (MRSA). The study provides foundational data for understanding the composition of equine skin microbiota and its potential transmission risk to humans.
Background Knowledge
In recent years, equine-assisted therapy has played an increasingly important role in rehabilitation medicine, particularly for individuals with autism and Down syndrome. Close contact between horses and humans increases the risk of transmission of skin-associated microbiota. The Staphylococcus genus is a significant component of the microbial community on animal skin and mucous membranes, with certain strains capable of causing severe infections. While most studies have focused on skin infections in horses, there remains a lack of systematic analysis on the antibiotic resistance profiles of colonizing microbiota in healthy equine skin. Furthermore, the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains poses a potential threat to the effectiveness of key antibiotics in human medicine, highlighting the importance of identifying drug-resistant strains from healthy animals. This study fills the knowledge gap regarding the diversity of skin microbiota and distribution of resistance genes in healthy horses, providing a reference for monitoring equine-to-human transmission of resistant bacteria in the future.
Research Methods and Experiments
The research team collected skin samples from healthy horses in rural Poland and used MALDI-TOF MS technology to identify the species of the isolated strains. A total of 61 Staphylococcus strains were isolated, representing 11 identified species: S. xylosus, S. sciuri, S. vitulinus, S. equorum, S. succinus, S. nepalensis, S. lentus, S. fleurettii, S. aureus, S. chromogenes, and S. simulans. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and PCR analysis were performed to detect the presence of resistance genes.
Key Conclusions and Perspectives
Research Significance and Prospects
This study is the first to systematically reveal the diversity and resistance characteristics of Staphylococcus species colonizing the skin of healthy horses, providing a basis for microbial risk assessment in equine-assisted therapy environments. Future studies could further explore variations in skin microbiota across different geographic regions and investigate mechanisms of resistance gene transmission between horses and humans. Additionally, the findings highlight the need for enhanced monitoring and control of drug-resistant strains in clinical settings involving horse-human interaction.
Conclusion
This study reveals the presence of diverse Staphylococcus strains in the skin of healthy horses, with some displaying resistance to commonly used antibiotics. Seven isolates were identified as multidrug-resistant. While overall resistance levels are low, the detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) indicates that even healthy horses may serve as potential reservoirs for resistant pathogens. These findings offer new public health insights for environments involving close horse-human interaction, such as equine-assisted therapy, and underscore the importance of strengthening microbiota monitoring to mitigate infection risks.
