Influence of clipping on bacterial contamination of canine arthrocentesis sites before and after skin preparation

Abstract

Objective: To determine the influence of hair removal as part of the aseptic skin preparation of canine arthrocentesis sites and to characterize the bacterial flora remaining after aseptic skin preparation. Study design: Randomized controlled trial. Study population: Thirteen shorthaired beagle-cross dogs. Methods: A coin toss was used to randomly determine to have one carpus, elbow, tarsus, and stifle clipped. The contralateral side was left unclipped. Aseptic skin preparation was performed on all sites with 4% chlorhexidine followed by 70% isopropyl alcohol. The skin of each site was sampled for aerobic and anaerobic bacterial cultures before and after aseptic skin preparation. Bacterial cultures were submitted for laboratory testing to determine the colony-forming units (CFU) of bacteria and bacterial species isolated for each site. Results: Each group (clipped and unclipped) included 52 sites. Aseptic skin preparation reduced bacterial CFU in both groups. There was no association between values for CFU per milliliter after skin preparation of dogs and side (P = .07), joint (P = .71), pre-aseptic skin preparation CFU (P = .94), or clipping (P = .42). Staphylococcus spp were the most common of the bacterial species cultured. Conclusion: In clean shorthaired dogs without visible evidence of dermatological disease, leaving arthrocentesis sites unclipped rather than performing traditional surgical clipping did not result in increased bacterial skin counts after aseptic skin preparation. Clinical significance: In this study we did not find evidence to support that clipping of canine arthrocentesis sites is required for effective aseptic skin preparation. A prospective clinical trial is required to determine whether a change in practice would be associated with increased morbidity.

Bacterial DNA and osteoarthritis in dogs with patellar luxation and cranial cruciate ligament rupture

“…Nonetheless, the previous study by Wang et al [20] has found bacterial DNA in normal joints, suggesting that the presence of bacterial DNA may not be specifically associated with arthritis [21]. It is possible that the detected bacteria entered through blood flow to the synovial membrane [22,23].…”

Morphological and radiological study of the shoulder and elbow joints of the giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla)

“…The position of the needle is particularly important for this type of procedure, so as not to cause lesions in the adjacent tissues, such as arteries, vessels, or nerves, and to access the joint with minimal soft tissue damage. Arthrocentesis is a common intervention for diagnosis or treatment of joint diseases in veterinary practice in small animals and horses (Kearney et al, 2021; Lavallée et al, 2020; Mielke et al, 2018; Watkins et al, 2021). Synovial fluid collection for cytology, bacterial or fungal culture, arthrography, intra‐articular injections of medication such as corticosteroids and anesthetics are some of clinical applications of this procedure (Kearney et al, 2021; Lavallée et al, 2020; Mielke et al, 2018; Pouyet & Bonilla, 2021; Watkins et al, 2021; Whipple et al, 2019).…”

“…Arthrocentesis is a common intervention for diagnosis or treatment of joint diseases in veterinary practice in small animals and horses (Kearney et al, 2021; Lavallée et al, 2020; Mielke et al, 2018; Watkins et al, 2021). Synovial fluid collection for cytology, bacterial or fungal culture, arthrography, intra‐articular injections of medication such as corticosteroids and anesthetics are some of clinical applications of this procedure (Kearney et al, 2021; Lavallée et al, 2020; Mielke et al, 2018; Pouyet & Bonilla, 2021; Watkins et al, 2021; Whipple et al, 2019). Other procedures to treat joint diseases such as arthroscopy and arthrotomy can also be performed (Hoelzler et al, 2004; Pouyet & Bonilla, 2021), although for all these interventions it is necessary to know the normal anatomy of the joint to be accessed.…”

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry in veterinary medicine: Recent advances (2019–present)

“…Identified peptide biomarkers to identify botulism in cattle [89] Various organisms Studied how aseptic skin preparation techniques affected bacterial counts prior to surgery [90] Staphylococcus cohnii, Bordetella bronchiseptica, Bordetella parapertussis, Corynebacterium glucuronolyticum, Pelistega suis, and Rodentibacter rarus Screening of deceased street rats in France [91] Staphylococcus pseudintermedius Canine pyoderma, antibiotic resistance [92]…”

“…In an interesting study of clinical veterinary relevance, Lavallee et al [90] used MALDI-TOF to study the microbiome of canine arthrocentesis sites. The authors focused on how aseptic skin preparation techniques affected bacterial counts, and whether clipping the animals' hair before the procedure affected results.…”