The Occurrence of Bacterial Infections in Equine Wounds and Abscesses in Horses from 2019 to 2023

Bacterial infections in equine wounds are common and can complicate treatment and healing. This five-year retrospective study examined 2844 samples from wounds and abscesses from horses in Germany (2019-2023), analyzing bacterial prevalence by care setting and geographical region. A total of 4464 bacterial isolates were identified, with β-hemolytic streptococci (20.6%), Escherichia coli (15.6%), and Staphylococcus aureus (13.0%) being the most common. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) accounted for 35.9% of Staphylococcus aureus isolates. Resistance to third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins was detected in 15.2% of Escherichia coli isolates. Samples from clinics showed a significantly higher MRSA rate, while primary care samples more often contained environmental bacteria. Regional differences in pathogen prevalence and statistically significant temporal changes were observed. The results highlight the importance of continuous microbiological surveillance and underscore the need for targeted antimicrobial stewardship in veterinary facilities. These findings have implications for infection control, empirical treatment strategies, and zoonotic risk mitigation in equine medicine.