Antimicrobial susceptibility and distribution of multidrug-resistant organisms isolated from environmental surfaces and hands of healthcare workers in a small animal hospital

Various multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) are present in animal hospitals. To investigate the bacteria that are capable of causing healthcare-associated infections (HAI) in a small animal referral hospital, as well as their drug resistance, samples were collected from 14 hospital environment surfaces and the hands of 5 healthcare workers (HCWs); bacteria were then isolated, identified, and tested for antimicrobial resistance. Thirty-four bacterial strains were isolated, namely staphylococci (35%), Bacillus spp. (32%), Acinetobacter nosocomialis (12%), enterococci (12%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3%), Paenibacillus thermophilus (3%), and Pantoea calida (3%). Among the 12 staphylococcal isolates, 8 possessed mecA gene; 9, methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS). All 3 enterococcal isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR) and 1 possessed vanA gene, showing resistance to vancomycin. Among the clinically important bacteria, 35% were MDR, and only 1 strain, Enterococcus feacalis, was susceptible to all antimicrobials. Here, MDROs that cause opportunistic infections were found in an animal hospital and on the hands of HCWs. The present study was the first to find vancomycin-resistant enterococci on the hands of HCW in a small animal hospital. Therefore, in addition to reducing HAI, infection monitoring and management in small animal hospitals are needed to reduce the spread of MDROs from a One Health perspective.