Occurrence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profiles of <i>Streptococcus equi</i> subsp. <i>zooepidemicus</i> Strains Isolated from Mares with Fertility Problems
<i>Streptococcus equi</i> subsp. <i>zooepidemicus</i> (<i>S. zooepidemicus</i>), is a β-hemolytic <i>Streptococcus</i> belonging to the Lancefield group C; it is a rare human pathogen, but in horses, it is frequently associated with endometritis. This...
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MDPI AG
2021-12-01
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| Series: | Antibiotics |
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| author | Francesca Paola Nocera Elena D’Eletto Monica Ambrosio Filomena Fiorito Ugo Pagnini Luisa De Martino |
| author_facet | Francesca Paola Nocera Elena D’Eletto Monica Ambrosio Filomena Fiorito Ugo Pagnini Luisa De Martino |
| author_sort | Francesca Paola Nocera |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Streptococcus equi</i> subsp. <i>zooepidemicus</i> (<i>S. zooepidemicus</i>), is a β-hemolytic <i>Streptococcus</i> belonging to the Lancefield group C; it is a rare human pathogen, but in horses, it is frequently associated with endometritis. This study aimed to isolate <i>S. zooepidemicus</i> strains, associated with bacterial endometritis in mares, and to define their antimicrobial resistance profile. Twenty-three isolates were recovered from one hundred ninety-six equine uterine swabs (11.7%). Bacterial identification was carried out by Api 20 Strep and confirmed by matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS), while antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by disk diffusion method on Muller Hinton agar plates. The antibiotic resistance profiles of the isolates revealed a high percentage of resistance to amikacin (95.6%), ampicillin (73.9%) and tetracycline (69.6%), while ceftiofur and ceftriaxone were highly effective with 82.6% and 78.3% of the isolates inhibited, respectively. An intriguing value of resistance to penicillin (34.8%), which represents the first-choice antibiotic in equine <i>S. zooepidemicus</i> infections, was observed. Furthermore, a high prevalence of multidrug-resistant strains (82.6%) was recorded. Continuous surveillance of this potential zoonotic pathogen and an appropriate antimicrobial stewardship program with the promotion of correct use of antimicrobials, after a proper diagnosis, are needed to allow an effective therapy. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:03:03Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bae54bea17b2421481f9d16e3d68f4f0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2079-6382 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:03:03Z |
| publishDate | 2021-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Antibiotics |
| spelling | doaj.art-bae54bea17b2421481f9d16e3d68f4f02023-11-23T12:42:50ZengMDPI AGAntibiotics2079-63822021-12-011112510.3390/antibiotics11010025Occurrence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profiles of <i>Streptococcus equi</i> subsp. <i>zooepidemicus</i> Strains Isolated from Mares with Fertility ProblemsFrancesca Paola Nocera0Elena D’Eletto1Monica Ambrosio2Filomena Fiorito3Ugo Pagnini4Luisa De Martino5Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via F. Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via F. Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via F. Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via F. Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via F. Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via F. Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy<i>Streptococcus equi</i> subsp. <i>zooepidemicus</i> (<i>S. zooepidemicus</i>), is a β-hemolytic <i>Streptococcus</i> belonging to the Lancefield group C; it is a rare human pathogen, but in horses, it is frequently associated with endometritis. This study aimed to isolate <i>S. zooepidemicus</i> strains, associated with bacterial endometritis in mares, and to define their antimicrobial resistance profile. Twenty-three isolates were recovered from one hundred ninety-six equine uterine swabs (11.7%). Bacterial identification was carried out by Api 20 Strep and confirmed by matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS), while antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by disk diffusion method on Muller Hinton agar plates. The antibiotic resistance profiles of the isolates revealed a high percentage of resistance to amikacin (95.6%), ampicillin (73.9%) and tetracycline (69.6%), while ceftiofur and ceftriaxone were highly effective with 82.6% and 78.3% of the isolates inhibited, respectively. An intriguing value of resistance to penicillin (34.8%), which represents the first-choice antibiotic in equine <i>S. zooepidemicus</i> infections, was observed. Furthermore, a high prevalence of multidrug-resistant strains (82.6%) was recorded. Continuous surveillance of this potential zoonotic pathogen and an appropriate antimicrobial stewardship program with the promotion of correct use of antimicrobials, after a proper diagnosis, are needed to allow an effective therapy.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/11/1/25<i>Streptococcus equi</i> subsp. <i>zooepidemicus</i>antibiotic resistancemaresendometritis |
| spellingShingle | Francesca Paola Nocera Elena D’Eletto Monica Ambrosio Filomena Fiorito Ugo Pagnini Luisa De Martino Occurrence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profiles of <i>Streptococcus equi</i> subsp. <i>zooepidemicus</i> Strains Isolated from Mares with Fertility Problems Antibiotics <i>Streptococcus equi</i> subsp. <i>zooepidemicus</i> antibiotic resistance mares endometritis |
| title | Occurrence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profiles of <i>Streptococcus equi</i> subsp. <i>zooepidemicus</i> Strains Isolated from Mares with Fertility Problems |
| title_full | Occurrence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profiles of <i>Streptococcus equi</i> subsp. <i>zooepidemicus</i> Strains Isolated from Mares with Fertility Problems |
| title_fullStr | Occurrence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profiles of <i>Streptococcus equi</i> subsp. <i>zooepidemicus</i> Strains Isolated from Mares with Fertility Problems |
| title_full_unstemmed | Occurrence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profiles of <i>Streptococcus equi</i> subsp. <i>zooepidemicus</i> Strains Isolated from Mares with Fertility Problems |
| title_short | Occurrence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profiles of <i>Streptococcus equi</i> subsp. <i>zooepidemicus</i> Strains Isolated from Mares with Fertility Problems |
| title_sort | occurrence and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of i streptococcus equi i subsp i zooepidemicus i strains isolated from mares with fertility problems |
| topic | <i>Streptococcus equi</i> subsp. <i>zooepidemicus</i> antibiotic resistance mares endometritis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/11/1/25 |
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