The occurrence of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus spp. and Acinetobacter spp. in the environment of small animal clinics in Estonia
Abstract
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are frequently associated with methicillin-resistant
staphylococci (MRS) and Acinetobacter. The veterinary clinical environment is considered
to have a key role in the spread of nosocomial pathogens among small animal patients. In
2017-2018, 358 surface samples from 23 Estonian small animal clinics were collected to
describe the occurrence of MRS and Acinetobacter in the clinic environment. In addition,
biosafety methods implemented by each clinic were described through a questionnaire.
22.9% of the samples collected were positive for either MRS or Acinetobacter. MRS
was isolated from samples of 17 clinics and Acinetobacter from samples of 15 clinics. Out of
22 MRS samples tested for antimicrobial susceptibility, resistance was most commonly
observed against fusidic acid (72.2%), ciprofloxacin (68.8%), and tetracycline (68.8%). In
total, 15 samples were multi-drug resistant. Proportionally, the procedure room and reception
had the most positive bacterial samples. The implementation of biosafety methods varied
between clinics and only 9 clinics out of 23 had biosafety protocol in place. Biosafety
protocols are needed to be implemented in veterinary facilities to ensure appropriate infection
control. Haigla ehk nosokomiaalsed infektsioonid on sagedasti põhjustatud metitsilliinresistentsete
stafülokokkide (MRS) või atsinetobakterite poolt. Väikeloomakliinikute keskkonda on
samuti peetud üheks nosokomiaalinfektsioonide tekkekohaks, mille kaudu võivad mikroobid
levida väikeloomadest patsientidele. Käesoleva uurimistöö eesmärgiks oli hinnata MRS ja
atsinetobakterite esinemust eesti väikeloomakliinikute keskkonnas ning kirjeldada
kliinikutes kasutuses olevaid bioturvalisuse meetmeid.
Kokku uuriti 2017.-2018. aastal 23st väikeloomakliiniku keskkonnast 358
pinnaproovi, kus 22,9% proovidest olid positiivsed kas MRS või atsinetobakterite suhtes.
MRS isoleeriti kokku 17st ja atsinetobaktereid 15st väikeloomakliinikust.
Antibiootikumitundlikkus määrati 22le MRS isolaadile. Isoleeritud MRS olid resistentsed
fusidiinhappe (72.2%), tsiprofloksatsiini (68.8%) ja tetratsükliini (68.8%) suhtes.
Multiresistentseid isolaate leiti 15. Kõige enam positiivseid proove leiti protseduuritubadest
ning retseptisoonist. Bioturvalisuse meetmed erinesid kliinikute lõikes suurel määral.
Üheksal kliinikus 23st olid koostatud bioturvalisuse protokollid väikeloomakliiniku jaoks.