Taxa profiling and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of bacterial pathogens associated with canine surgical wounds and operating theatre surfaces

Abstract Surgical site infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in small animal surgical patients. This study evaluated the microbial profile and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of bacteria isolated from canine surgical wounds and operating room surfaces. Sterile swab samples (n = 41) were obtained from surgical wounds, operating tables, surgical instruments, and the recovery room. Aerobic and anaerobic bacteria were isolated and characterized using standard phenotypic methods. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method and profiled for resistance pattern. Eleven genera of bacteria were isolated from surgical wounds, with Staphylococcus aureus being the most frequently isolated. Seven genera of bacteria were each isolated from surgical instruments, and kennels, respectively, while four genera of bacteria were isolated from surgical tables, with Escherichia coli being the most frequently isolated. The median number of isolated aerobic bacteria was significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) than anaerobic bacteria. Bacteria isolated showed resistance to amoxicillin + clavulanic acid, cefuroxime, ampicillin + cloxacillin, and ceftriaxone. Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus mycoides, Escherichia coli, and Flavobacterium species showed lower than 10% antibiotic resistance rates. The results provide insight into possible nosocomial bacteria transmission with high-level multidrug resistance. Improvement in decontamination practices and regulation of antibiotic usage is recommended to prevent the emergence of theatre-related multidrug-resistant bacteria.