Identification and Antibiotic Sensitivity of Aerobic Bacterial Isolates from Small Animal Veterinary Operating Rooms

In the Philippines, no published information is available on the common bacteria isolated from veterinary operating rooms. The identification of the bacteria is important in order to identify appropriate antimicrobial agents to use on patients and prevent nosocomial infection. Bacteria isolated from different sites within four operating rooms were identified through routine primary and secondary biochemical tests, classified according to pathogenicity, and their sensitivity to antibiotics was determined via Kirby-Bauer Disc Diffusion Test. Thirty-seven aerobic distinct colonies, made up of 17 different bacteria identified via Gram staining and biochemical tests and three unidentified bacteria, were isolated. Among these, two were major potentially pathogenic ( Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes ), six were opportunistic ( Corynebacterium bovis , Corynebacterium jeikeium , Enterobacter aerogenes , Pseudomonas sp., Staphylococcus haemolyticus and Staphylococcus schleiferi ), and nine were non-pathogenic bacteria. High number of bacterial isolates, especially from the wall and ventilation system were seen compared with the surface of operating table and its drain, and top of instrument table. Antibiotic sensitivity testing showed that gentamicin, enrofloxacin, and tetracycline were effective against the two major pathogens isolated and, thus, can be used as prophylactic antibiotics.  Key words: Aerobic bacteria, animal hospital, antibiotic sensitivity, operating rooms