Efficacy of directed misting application of a peroxygen disinfectant for environmental decontamination of a veterinary hospital

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effectiveness of 4% peroxymonosulfate disinfectant applied as a mist to surfaces in a large animal hospital as measured by recovery of Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. DESIGN: Field trial. SAMPLE POPULATION: Polyester transparencies inoculated with bacteria. PROCEDURE: Polyester transparencies were inoculated with S aureus or S Typhimurium and placed in various locations in the hospital. After mist application of the peroxygen disinfectant, viable bacterial numbers were quantified and compared with growth from control transparencies to assess reduction in bacterial count. RESULTS: When applied as a mist directed at environmental surfaces contaminated with a geometric mean of 4.03 x 10(7) CFUs of S aureus (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.95 x 10(7) to 4.11 x 10(7)) or 6.17 x 10(6) CFUs of S Typhimurium (95% Cl, 5.55 x 10(6) to 6.86 x 10(6)), 4% peroxymonosulfate reduced the geometric mean number of viable S aureus by 3.04 x 10(7) CFUs (95% Cl, 8.6 x 10(5) to 1.7 x 10(6)) and S Typhimurium by 3.97 x 10(6) CFUs (95% Cl, 8.6 x 10(5) to 3.5 x 10(6)). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Environmental disinfection with directed mist application of a 4% peroxymonosulfate solution was successful in reducing counts of bacterial CFUs by > 99.9999%. Directed mist application with this peroxygen disinfectant as evaluated in this study appeared to be an effective and efficient means of environmental disinfection in a large animal veterinary hospital and would be less disruptive than more traditional approaches to intensive environmental cleaning and disinfection.     

Evaluation of surface contamination with staphylococci in a veterinary hospital using a quantitative microbiological method

Objectives : To evaluate microbial contamination of the environment in a veterinary hospital using standards recommended for human hospitals and to provide a baseline against which further investigations can be compared. Methods : Surfaces were sampled twice daily for five consecutive days using a contact-based counting method to measure the levels of staphylococci in colony forming units (cfu) per cm². Results : Current recommendations for human hospitals were applied in this study; all samples with <2.5cfu/cm² staphylococci were considered to have passed and those with ≥2.5cfu/cm² to have failed. Of all the samples, 55.9% failed. The ICU did not have significantly higher failure rates than other areas of the hospital. The floor as a surface was associated with greater than a threefold increase in odds of elevated cfu concentrations relative to the door handle. Clinical Significance : This study provides information on the microbiological cleanliness of a veterinary teaching hospital using techniques and standards adopted by the food industry and recommended for human hospitals. This data can be used as a baseline for other hospitals, to evaluate the effectiveness in improvements in hygiene and cleaning measures and to design effective hospital cleaning protocols and assess ongoing hygiene standards.     

Bacterial contamination of gloves worn by small animal surgeons in a veterinary teaching hospital

This prospective study investigated bacterial contamination of surgical gloves during small animal surgical procedures and factors associated with glove contamination. The outer surface of surgical gloves was sampled and cultured after completion of surgical procedures. Bacterial presence and numbers were recorded. Of 78 gloves sampled from 39 surgical procedures, bacterial contamination was noted in 16/78 (21%) gloves from 12/39 (31%) procedures. There was no difference in contamination of left or right hand glove [7/39 (18%) versus 9/39 (23%)], respectively (P = 0.78). There was no impact of glove type of left hand (P = 0.41), right hand (P = 0.44) or either hand (P = 0.26) contamination, or of surgical time (P = 0.71), dominant hand (P > 0.13), surgery type (orthopedic versus soft tissue versus neurological) (P > 0.42) or surgical wound classification (P > 0.11) on the incidence of contamination.     

Detection of Salmonella organisms and assessment of a protocol for removal of contamination in horse stalls at a veterinary teaching hospital

OBJECTIVES: To assess methods of detecting environmental contamination with Salmonella organisms and evaluate a cleaning and disinfection protocol for horse stalls in a veterinary teaching hospital. DESIGN: Original study. SAMPLE POPULATION: 37 horses with diarrhea likely to be caused by Salmonella infection and their stall environments. PROCEDURES: Fecal samples were collected from horses daily during hospitalization; samples were obtained from stall sites after cleaning and application of disinfectants. Fecal and environmental samples were cultured for Salmonella spp and tested via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to detect Salmonella DNA. RESULTS: 1 horse died and 2 were discharged prior to sample collection. Fecal samples from 9 of 34 horses yielded growth of Salmonella organisms on bacteriologic culture, and 23 yielded positive results via PCR assay on > or = 1 occasion. Among environmental samples from 21 stalls, salmonellae were detected at > or = 1 stall site on 6 of 78 occasions, and > or = 1 stall site yielded positive results via PCR assay on 69 of 77 occasions. Salmonella DNA was detected more frequently in samples of stall drains, cracks, and corners. Salmonella spp were cultured from samples of 3 stalls after both initial and second cleaning and disinfection cycles, but no organisms were detected in samples obtained after use of a peroxygen disinfectant. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that stalls in which horses with salmonellosis were housed should only be used to accommodate newly hospitalized horses after samples (collected after 2 cycles of cleaning and disinfection) from drains, cracks, and corners yield negative results on bacteriologic culture.     

Contamination of multiple-dose vials in a veterinary hospital

Bacterial contamination of multiple-dose saline bottles and medication vials in a veterinary teaching hospital was evaluated. Bacterial contamination was identified in 16/88 (18%) containers, with no difference in contamination between the large animal clinic, small animal clinic, and ruminant ambulatory clinic. Contamination of multiple-dose containers containing substances for injection was common, and potential pathogens were present in many situations. While the clinical significance is not resolved at this point, infection control practices should address this potential source of nosocomial infection.     

Detection of bacterial contamination and DNA quantification in stored blood units in 2 veterinary hospital blood banks

Blood transfusions in veterinary medicine have become increasingly more common and are now an integral part of lifesaving and advanced treatment in small and large animals. Important risks associated with transfusion of blood products include the transmission of various infectious diseases. Several guidelines suggest what infectious agents to screen for in canine and feline transfusion medicine. However, while the risk of bacterial contamination of blood products during storage and administration has not been documented in veterinary medicine, it has emerged as a cause of morbidity and mortality in human transfusion medicine. Clinical experience shows that the majority of blood component bacterial contaminations are caused by only a few species. Unlike other types of bacteria, psychrotolerant species like Pseudomonas spp. and Serratia spp. can proliferate during the storage of blood units at 4°C from a very low titer at the time of blood collection to a clinically significant level (> 10⁵ CFU/mL) causing clinical sepsis resulting from red blood cell concentrate transfusions in human medicine. The purpose of this report was to describe the detection and quantification procedures applied in 4 cases of bacterial contamination of canine and feline blood units, which suggest the need for further investigations to optimize patients’ safety in veterinary transfusion medicine.     

Screening for methicillin-resistant staphylococci in dogs admitted to a veterinary teaching hospital

This study investigated the nasal carriage of methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS) in dogs (n=177) prior to medical examination or surgery in a veterinary teaching hospital. Nasal swab samples were collected after induction of anaesthesia and incubated overnight in salt enriched trypticase-soy broth. Cultures were analysed on two different agar media containing cefoxitin. Suspected MRS isolates were genotypically identified and characterised by antimicrobial susceptibility testing and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec)-typing. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates were additionally characterised by spa-typing and multilocus sequence typing. The presence of Panton-Valentine leukocidin (pvl) genes was determined by PCR. MRS carriage was compared between animals with or without an infectious process. Two MRSA were isolated, both belonging to typical Belgian human hospital clones and lacking pvl. Additionally a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus haemolyticus carrying a type V SCCmec was detected. No relationship was observed between MRS carriage and presence of infections. The results suggest that MRS are present in dogs originating from the community, albeit at a low prevalence. This could pose risks for cross contamination of dogs and their owners.     

Transmission of opportunistic pathogens in a veterinary teaching hospital

Acinetobacter baumannii, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, and Staphylococcus intermedius isolates from infected surgical wounds and other types of infections in a veterinary teaching hospital were typed by pulsed field gel electrophoresis. A first cluster of infections with a multiresistant A. baumannii strain was observed in dogs and cats in 1998-1999. This strain disappeared after cleaning and disinfection of the companion animals intensive care unit. It was followed in 2000 by a second multiresistant strain, which caused another cluster of infections and was also transmitted to a patient in the nearby horse clinic. Transmission of a multiresistant E. faecium strain between two cats with surgical wound infections was also observed during the same period. No multiresistant S. intermedius strain was observed during this time and transmission of this organism between patients did not seem to occur. The present study demonstrates the potential for hospital nosocomial resistance problems in veterinary medicine similar to those encountered in human medicine. The results suggest that the epidemiology of nosocomial infections with A. baumannii and E. faecium may differ from that of S. intermedius infections and that preventive measures may have to be adapted to the problem organism.     

Analysis of Staphylococcus infections in a veterinary teaching hospital from 2012 to 2015

Records of all Diagnostic laboratory submissions from 2012 to 2015 were examined and subjected to analysis according to species, location of infection, species of bacteria, and antibiotic resistance/susceptibility. A total of 23.8% of all culture isolates were Staphylococcus sp. Of those Staphylococcus, 43% were isolated from surgical site infections.Staphylococcus pseudintermedius accounted for approximately 28% of all staphylococcus cultures, while methicillin-resistant (MR) S. pseudintermedius accounted for 8% of all staphylococcus cultures. Environmental samples were also collected by swabbing surfaces in the intensive care unit (ICU) and anesthesia prep room at the OSU VTH. Isolated bacterial colonies were subjected to PCR for species identification and for the presence of the mecA gene. Ability of horizontal transfer in vitro of the mecA gene was evaluated by incubating the mecA positive bacterium, with the mecA negative bacterium, and then plated onto agar plates infused with known concentration of oxacillin. Colonies were then subjected to PCR for species and mecA identification. Horizontal transfer of the mecA gene was demonstrated and confirmed via PCR from MR S. epidermidis to MS S. pseudintermedius in an in vitro model that mimicked the veterinary hospital environment. Biofilms were established using four Staphylococcus species isolated from swabbing the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and anesthesia prep room and were resistant when exposed to the current cleaning agent.Staphylococcus species makeup nearly ¼ of all infections at OSU VDL during the four years of the study, and MS S. pseudintermedius was shown to acquire the mecA gene from an environmental strain.     

Evolution of bacterial resistance to certain antibacterial agents in horses in a veterinary hospital

Evolution of bacterial resistance to certain antibacterial agents in horses in a veterinary hospital. A total of 255 antibiograms, conducted according to the Kirby-Bauer method from bacterial isolates collected from horses at the H?pital Vétérinaire d'Enseignement at the Université de Montréal between 1996 and 1998 were compared with the results obtained about 10 years ago with corresponding bacterial species. A significant increase in the percentage of strains resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SXT), penicilline, tetracycline, and to gentamicin was observed. The percentages of isolates of Actinobacillus spp. and coagulase-positive staphylococci resistant to TMP-SXT increased from 0% to 17% and from 0% to 33%, respectively, (P < 0.05). The percentage of isolates of Actinobacillus spp resistant to penicilline also increased from 33% to 73% (P < 0.05). Regular monitoring of the evolution of bacterial resistance to antibacterial agents is indispensable in a hospital structure. The adoption of "good antibiotherapy practices" is essential to guarantee a decrease in the risks of selection and dissemination of a resistant bacterial strain.     

Effectiveness and comparison of citronella and scentless spray bark collars for the control of barking in a veterinary hospital setting

This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of a citronella bark collar and a new, scentless spray bark collar in a veterinary hospital or a similar kennel-type environment. Forty-one dogs were included in the study. The efficacy of each collar was evaluated independently in comparison to control as well as in a crossover design. Thirty of the dogs were evaluated with the citronella collar, with 76.7% showing a reduction in barking. Twenty-nine dogs were evaluated with the scentless collar, with 58.6% showing a reduction in barking. The improvement over the control collars was statistically significant with both the citronella and scentless collars.     

The role of social work in a veterinary hospital setting

Social workers can assist veterinarians and their clients in dealing with such difficult situations as euthanasia decisions, grief reactions, and professional stress. They are already at work at The Animal Medical Center, where they counsel clients individually and in groups, consult with veterinarians on client relations and how to cope with their own stress, and develop educational programs for employees and others.     

Respiratory disease outbreak in a veterinary hospital associated with canine parainfluenza virus infection

A cluster of canine parainfluenza virus infections was identified in a veterinary referral hospital. While hospital-associated outbreaks of canine parainfluenza virus infection have not been previously reported, veterinary hospitals possess some of the same risk factors that may be present in traditional high-risk sites such as kennels. Hospital-associated transmission of canine respiratory pathogens, therefore, must be considered.     

Death or declaw: dealing with moral ambiguity in a veterinary hospital.

The medical practice of declawing has received much political debate over the past few years. Yet, empirical and theoretical research on how this practice is maintained and the ethical positions of those who actually participate in this work is lacking. Drawing from 9 months of ethnographic fieldwork in a feline-specific veterinary hospital and open-ended interviews with veterinarians and staff, this study examines veterinary staff members' attitudes toward, and strategies for, dealing with the medical practice of declawing. Specifically, findings show that a number of staff felt uncomfortable with their participation in onychectomy (declawing) and relied heavily on organizational support structures to cope both with these feelings and the moral ambiguity about the practice. Relying on these structures, the veterinarians and their staff are able simultaneously to define felines as subjects worthy of respect for their quality of life, protect their own self-identity as people who work toward the best interest of animals, and paradoxically support action toward felines that they find morally objectionable.     

Evaluation of the efficacy of a peroxygen disinfectant-filled footmat for reduction of bacterial load on footwear in a large animal hospital setting

OBJECTIVE-To compare the efficacy of a peroxygenbased disinfectant used in footbaths with the efficacy of the same disinfectant used in footmats for reducing bacterial contamination of footwear in a large animal hospital. DESIGN-Prospective study. SAMPLE POPULATION-Bacteria recovered from the soles of rubber boots after experimental microbial contamination and exposure to disinfectant solutions or water (water-treated control boots) or no treatment (untreated control boots). PROCEDURES-Investigators contaminated boots by walking through soiled animal bedding. Swab samples were collected from the sole of 1 untreated boot (right or left); the other boot was treated as investigators stepped through a disinfectant-filled footbath, a disinfectant-filled footmat, or water-filled footmat. Samples were collected 10 minutes after each treatment. Differences in numbers of bacteria recovered from treated and untreated boots were analyzed. RESULTS-Mean bacterial counts from peroxygentreated boots were 1.3 to 1.4 log(10) lower (95.4% to 99.8%) than the counts from untreated boots. Results were similar for footmat- and footbath-treated boots. In contrast, there were no statistically detectable differences in mean bacterial counts in samples collected from water-treated or untreated boots. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE-Results suggest that footmats and footbaths containing peroxygenbased disinfectant are effective in reducing bacterial contamination on the soles of boots when used in conditions representative of large animal hospitals. Similar results were achieved with use of either footmats or footbaths. The use of footbaths and footmats containing effective disinfectants may help decrease the risk for spread of nosocomial infection but should not be expected to sterilize footwear.     

Prospective evaluation of complications associated with jugular venous catheter use in a veterinary hospital

Objectives : To prospectively investigate the incidence of mechanical and infectious complications associated with the use of jugular catheters and risk factors for these complications. Methods : Data was collected over a 6-month period and risk factors associated with the occurrence of mechanical or inflammatory complications were investigated. Results : One hundred catheters were placed over a 6-month period, totalling 393 catheter days. Complications were seen in 39% of catheters with a total of 51 complications. Forty-one of these complications were mechanical. A total of 10 inflammatory or infectious complications were identified in eight catheters (a total of 0·03 infectious complications per catheter day). Complications were more likely to occur in patients requiring more than one attempt for placement and patients that were ASA status 3 to 5. Infectious complications were more likely in patients not having general anaesthesia for placement, those having medical rather than surgical disease and those placed out of theatre. No association was found between the skill of the person placing the catheter and risk of complication. Clinical Significance : Mechanical complications are frequently associated with jugular catheter placement. Identification of risk factors for complications is important and warrants further study.     

首例兽用活疫苗中污染副流感病毒5型的检测

从某企业送检的猪伪狂犬活疫苗中检出疑似血凝性外源病毒污染,经病原学和分子生物学鉴定,证实该疫苗污染了PIV5,并对我国主要猪用活疫苗中污染PIV5情况进行了摸底检测。将样品经伪狂犬病毒特异性阳性血清中和后,接种Vero细胞连传5代,可出现细胞圆缩、聚集、颗粒增多等细胞病变。纯净性检测显示该分离株无细菌污染、支原体污染和外源病毒检验。将该分离毒株F10代培养物进行病毒含量和HA效价测定,分别为107.0TCID50/ml和1：256。以PIV5单克隆抗体作为一抗进行IFA染色,可在感染细胞的胞浆中观察到典型的绿色荧光;采用针对PIV5的L基因设计特异性引物,经RT-PCR可扩增出277bp特异性片段,经测序后与Genbank中已发表的8株PIV5序列进行同源性比较,同源性为93.1%～97.4%,其中与我国分离的来自小熊猫的PIV5 ZJQ-221株（登陆号：KF100034.1）同源关系最近,为97.4%;其次与犬源、猴源、牛源的PIV5同源性均在95.5%以上,与猪源的PIV5同源性为93.3～95.9%,同源性均较高。基因序列系统进化树分析结果显示同样的结果。以上试验证明疫苗中污染的病毒为PIV5,并命名为PIV5/01株。针对国内猪用活疫苗中污染PIV5情况的初步摸底检测显示,PIV5污染率约为16.7%,提醒应加强疫苗中污染PIV5的预防和控制。