Spratt, H.; Millis, N.; Levine, D.; Brackett, J.; Millis, D. Bacterial Contamination of Environmental Surfaces of Veterinary Rehabilitation Clinics. Preprints2024, 2024050276. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202405.0276.v1
APA Style
Spratt, H., Millis, N., Levine, D., Brackett, J., & Millis, D. (2024). Bacterial Contamination of Environmental Surfaces of Veterinary Rehabilitation Clinics. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202405.0276.v1
Chicago/Turabian Style
Spratt, H., Jenna Brackett and Darryl Millis. 2024 "Bacterial Contamination of Environmental Surfaces of Veterinary Rehabilitation Clinics" Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202405.0276.v1
Abstract
The presence of potentially pathogenic bacteria on veterinary clinic surfaces may be problematic. In this study we collected swab samples (Fisherbrand, double transport swabs with Stuart’s liquid medium) and water samples from five veterinary rehabilitation clinics. Swabs and water samples were transported to a microbiology lab for processing. At the lab swabs were used to inoculated Hardy’s Cdiff Banana broth (for Clostridium difficile [Cdiff]), and five different types of bacterial growth media, including: Hardy CHROM MRSA agar (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA], and S. pseudintermedius [SIM]), Mannitol Salt Agar (S. aureus), Eosin Methylene Blue agar (enterics [ENT]), Pseudomonas Isolation agar (Pseudomonas sp.), and Tryptic Soy Agar [TSA] (non-specific). The most prominent species cultured was Cdiff (on nearly 55% of swabs). Bacillus sp. and Enterics were encountered on nearly 35% of swabs, with MRSA and SIM on just over 10% of swabs. The most contaminated sample site was harnesses/life jackets used with the underwater treadmill (33% of swabs). Underwater treadmill water had total bacterial counts from 1.6 to 2.7 e3 cfu/ml. Of all bacterial species detected SIM tends to be more pathogenic for dogs. Targeted cleaning/disinfecting in these clinics could help reduce risks for both animals and caregivers utilizing these clinics.
Biology and Life Sciences, Animal Science, Veterinary Science and Zoology
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
