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.