title: Evaluation of Commonly Used Products for Disinfecting Clipper Blades in Veterinary Practices: A Pilot Study.
abstract: Nosocomial infections are a concern of growing interest in veterinary medicine. Clipper blades have been confirmed as fomites for numerous potential pathogens and, as such, may be associated with wound and surgical site infections. The goal of this study was to evaluate the disinfectant capabilities of several commonly used clipper blade cleaning products. Seventy sterile clipper blades were inoculated with strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Escherichia coli , and Staphylococcus aureus . Blades were then subjected to one of seven treatment groups for disinfecting. Quantitative cultures of remaining bacteria were performed. All blades in the control group showed large amounts of bacterial recovery. Culture results showed no recovery in blades soaked in alcohol or chlorhexidine or those sprayed with an ethanol/o-phenylphenol product, while moderate recovery was seen with all other treatments. These results show that persistent contamination of clipper blades can occur with the use of several commonly used disinfectant products. Further research is necessary to evaluate fungicidal capabilities as well as the effect of disinfection on clipper blade maintenance.
authors.affiliation: From El Paso Veterinary Specialty Center, El Paso, TX (B.L., E.S., K.P.); and the Microbiology Department, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX (D.D.).
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ley
authors.affiliation: From El Paso Veterinary Specialty Center, El Paso, TX (B.L., E.S., K.P.); and the Microbiology Department, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX (D.D.).
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Silverman
authors.affiliation: From El Paso Veterinary Specialty Center, El Paso, TX (B.L., E.S., K.P.); and the Microbiology Department, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX (D.D.).
authors.forename: Kara
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Peery
authors.affiliation: From El Paso Veterinary Specialty Center, El Paso, TX (B.L., E.S., K.P.); and the Microbiology Department, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX (D.D.).
authors.forename: Delfina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dominguez
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006762:Hospitals, Animal; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014730:Veterinary Medicine / Q000295:instrumentation*
chemical_list: D004202:Disinfectants