Microbiological evaluation of stethoscopes used in the clinical routine of Veterinarians in the Metropolitan Region of Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil

Abstract

We evaluated the level of contamination of stethoscopes used in the clinical routine of veterinarians. Specimens from 15 stethoscopes were cultured and analyzed before (M0) and after (M1) disinfecting the stethoscope diaphragm with alcohol at 70ºGL. At moment M0, bacterial growth was observed in 73.33% (11/15) of the stethoscopes. Seventeen strains were isolated, and the majority (41.2%, 7/17) were Bacillus spp. followed by Staphylococcus spp. (35.3%, 6/17) and Micrococcus spp. (23.5%, 4/17). In samples collected after disinfection with alcohol (M1), only Bacillus spp. were isolated in 13.3% (2/15) of the stethoscopes. Coagulase phenotypic testing of the Staphylococcus spp. revealed that all the strains were negative. Polymerase chain reaction was performed for the mecA resistance gene in coagulase-negative Staphylococcus strains. Amplification of mecA gene was observed in only 16.66% (1/6) of the samples. Stethoscopes are instruments that transfer pathogens, especially bacteria that may carry resistance genes. However, simple cleaning and disinfection measures in the veterinary medical clinic routine reduce contamination and minimize the risk of spread of resistant microorganisms to animals and the environment.

Stethoscopes as vectors of staphylococci at a veterinary teaching hospital

“…Unlike most studies that primarily investigate stethoscopes used by human physicians, our research with Souza et al, Leite et al, and Fujita et al's study specifically examined stethoscopes employed in veterinary settings (Fujita et al, 2013;Leite et al, 2023;Souza et al, 2022). In the study by Souza, bacterial growth was observed in 73.33% of stethoscopes before disinfection, and Staphylococcus spp.…”

“…In the study by Souza, bacterial growth was observed in 73.33% of stethoscopes before disinfection, and Staphylococcus spp. accounted for 35.3% of the isolates (Souza et al, 2022).…”

“…Although more study has been conducted in this area at human medicine, stethoscope studies that include veterinary hospitals have also shown the same results (Leite et al, 2023;Souza et al, 2022). These collective discoveries have sparked worry that stethoscopes might serve as a potential origin for hospital-acquired infections.…”