Ameet Singh

Characterization of the biofilm forming ability of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius from dogs

BackgroundStaphylococcus pseudintermedius is an opportunistic pathogen of dogs and has emerged as a leading cause of skin, wound and surgical site infections worldwide. Methicillin resistance is common and clinical infections as a result of methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP) pose a clinical challenge. In other staphylococci, biofilm formation has been shown to be a virulence factor for infection, however, it has received little attention in S. pseudintermedius. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the biofilm forming ability of clinical isolates of S. pseudintermedius obtained from dogs using phenotypic and genotypic techniques.Results96% (136/140) of S. pseudintermedius isolates were classified as strong or moderate biofilm producers, with the majority of isolates being able to produce biofilm. There was no difference in biofilm formation between MRSP and MSSP (p=0.8), amongst isolates from clinical infections compared with isolates obtained from colonized dogs (p=0.08), and between isolates from sequence type (ST) 71 and ST 68 (P=0.09). icaA was detected in 77.9% (109/140) of isolates and icaD was detected in 75.7% (106/140) of isolates. Scanning electron microscopic evaluation of S. pseudintermedius biofilm production revealed aggregates of cocci and irregularly produced extracellular polymeric matrix.ConclusionThe majority of S. pseudintermedius isolates evaluated in this study were able to produce biofilm and this may be an important virulence factor in the rapid emergence of this bacterium in veterinary hospitals worldwide. Further study into the mechanisms of biofilm formation by S. pseudintermedius is warranted.

Prospective Surgical Site Infection Surveillance in Dogs

OBJECTIVE To 1) describe the incidence of surgical site infections (SSI) in dogs undergoing surgery at the Ontario Veterinary College Health Sciences Centre; 2) describe and compare procedure-specific SSI rates; and 3) identify factors associated with development of SSI. STUDY DESIGN Prospective, cohort study ANIMALS Dogs (n = 846) undergoing surgery during 45 weeks (September 2010-July 2011). METHODS Follow-up telephone conversation with dog owners was performed 30 days postoperatively, with additional 1-year follow-up performed for cases with surgical implants. A standardized questionnaire was administered to detect and characterize SSI. RESULTS SSI were identified in 26 (3.0%) dogs; 11 (42%) were classified as superficial SSI, whereas 13 were deep, and 2 were organ/space. Of the confirmed SSI, only 17 (65%) were documented in the medical records. Hypotension (P = .011), class of surgery (P = .029), and use of an implant (P = .001) increased the risk of SSI. Microbial cultures were submitted for 19 cases (73%) and of those, 74% were staphylococci. CONCLUSIONS SSI can result in devastating consequences in dogs and understanding risk factors is critical to target prevention practices. Whereas some risk factors such as hypotension are modifiable, others such as class of surgery are not. When possible, active surveillance should be used as part of a hospital infection control program.

Economic Impact of Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy Surgical Site Infection in Dogs

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the economic impact of surgical site infection after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) in dogs. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective study STUDY POPULATION Dogs that had unilateral TPLO and did (n = 32) or did not (controls; 32) develop a surgical site infection. METHODS Medical and billing records were reviewed to identify postoperative care and costs, which were compared between groups. RESULTS Age, weight, gender, and initial surgical costs did not differ between groups. Postoperative costs were higher for dogs that developed SSIs (

Methicillin-resistant staphylococcal contamination of cellular phones of personnel in a veterinary teaching hospital

1559) than for controls (

Efficacy of clarithromycin on biofilm formation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius.

212, P < .0001), as were number of postoperative recheck visits (P < .0001) and time until final case closure (P = .0002). Dogs with surgical site infection (SSI) returned for a mean (±SD) 4.1 ± 2.9 (range, 1-13) postoperative visits attributable to SSI management: mean outpatient visits 3.0 ± 2.5; mean inpatient stays, 1.2 ± 0.74; and mean hospitalization, 4.3 ± 4.1 days. Postoperative costs attributable to SSI management ranged from

Methicillin‐Resistant Staphylococcal Contamination of Clothing Worn by Personnel in a Veterinary Teaching Hospital

145 to

Perioperative administration of antimicrobials during tibial plateau leveling osteotomy.

5022. Implants were removed in 22 (69%) dogs with SSIs. Bacteria were isolated from the surgical site or implant of 23 (72%) dogs with SSIs. There was a significant difference in cost when bacteria were isolated (

Fighting surgical site infections in small animals: are we getting anywhere?

1836 versus

Evaluation of Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery for Treatment of Spontaneous Pneumothorax and Pulmonary Bullae in Dogs

853, P = .002), but no impacts on likelihood of implant removal (16/23, 70% versus 6/9, 67%, P = 0.87). Staphylococcus pseudintermedius was predominant. CONCLUSIONS SSI after TPLO are associated with a significant cost. These data help quantify those costs, to facilitate a greater understanding of the impact of SSI, and the need for infection control.

Evaluation of the impact of tromethamine edetate disodium dihydrate on antimicrobial susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in biofilm in vitro.

BackgroundHospital-associated infections are an increasing cause of morbidity and mortality in veterinary patients. With the emergence of multi-drug resistant bacteria, these infections can be particularly difficult to eradicate. Sources of hospital-associated infections can include the patients own flora, medical staff and inanimate hospital objects. Cellular phones are becoming an invaluable feature of communication within hospitals, and since they are frequently handled by healthcare personnel, there may be a potential for contamination with various pathogens. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of contamination of cellular phones (hospital issued and personal) carried by personnel at the Ontario Veterinary College Health Sciences Centre with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).ResultsMRSP was isolated from 1.6% (2/123) and MRSA was isolated from 0.8% (1/123) of cellular phones. Only 21.9% (27/123) of participants in the study indicated that they routinely cleaned their cellular phone.ConclusionsCellular phones in a veterinary teaching hospital can harbour MRSP and MRSA, two opportunistic pathogens of significant concern. While the contamination rate was low, cellular phones could represent a potential source for infection of patients as well as infection of veterinary personnel and other people that might have contact with them. Regardless of the low incidence of contamination of cellular phones found in this study, a disinfection protocol for hospital-issued and personal cellular phones used in veterinary teaching hospitals should be in place to reduce the potential of cross-contamination.