Antimicrobial Resistance in Equines: A Growing Threat to Horse Health and Beyond—A Comprehensive Review
Ajran Kabir,
Bibek Lamichhane,
Tasmia Habib,
Alexis Adams,
Hossam El-Sheikh Ali,
Nathan M. Slovis,
Mats H. T. Troedsson,
Yosra A. Helmy
Affiliations
Ajran Kabir
Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
Bibek Lamichhane
Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
Tasmia Habib
Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
Alexis Adams
Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
Hossam El-Sheikh Ali
Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
Nathan M. Slovis
McGee Medical Center, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, 4250 Iron Works Pike, Lexington, KY 40511, USA
Mats H. T. Troedsson
Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
Yosra A. Helmy
Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
The equine industry holds substantial economic importance not only in the USA but worldwide. The occurrence of various infectious bacterial diseases in horses can lead to severe health issues, economic losses, and restrictions on horse movement and trade. Effective management and control of these diseases are therefore crucial for the growth and sustainability of the equine industry. While antibiotics constitute the primary treatment strategy for any bacterial infections in horses, developing resistance to clinically important antibiotics poses significant challenges to equine health and welfare. The adverse effects of antimicrobial overuse and the escalating threat of resistance underscore the critical importance of antimicrobial stewardship within the equine industry. There is limited information on the epidemiology of antimicrobial-resistant bacterial infections in horses. In this comprehensive review, we focus on the history and types of antimicrobials used in horses and provide recommendations for combating drug-resistant bacterial infections in horses. This review also highlights the epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in horses, emphasizing the public health significance and transmission dynamics between horses and other animals within a One Health framework. By fostering responsible practices and innovative control measures, we can better help the equine industry combat the pressing threat of AMR and thus safeguard equine as well as public health.
