Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing threat to both human and equine health. If antibiotics lose their effectiveness, infections could become untreatable, impacting horse health, welfare, and breeding.
This research project between Norway and Sweden aims to better understand the occurrence and carriage of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and use of antibiotics to horses in the two countries.
The project will focus on:
- Reviewing antibiotic use and resistance: Analysing historic data to understand how antibiotics have been used and which resistant bacteria have occurred, with a focus on clinical cases of uterine inflammation.
- Surveying antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the general horse populations in Norway and Sweden: Investigate the carriage of bacteria belonging to Enterobacterales (such as E. coli) order which produces extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) in the gut.
- Stud farm practices: Examining antibiotic usage, hygiene practices and biosecurity on stud farms, where breeding takes place.
- Antibiotic resistant bacteria in stud farms: Investigate the occurrence of ESBL-producing Enterobacterales and methicillin-resistant coagulase-positive Staphylococci, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), at stud farms and identifying potential risk factors for carrying and acquiring these bacteria.
Impact on the Horse Sector
The findings will help improve antibiotic use policies, hygiene practices, and biosecurity measures, ultimately enhancing horse health and breeding. This research will also offer valuable insights into infection prevention, benefiting both equine and human health.
Partners
- Swedish Veterinary Agency
- The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences
