ASSESSMENT OF OPHTHALMIC DIAGNOSTIC PARAMETERS, CONJUNCTIVAL FLORA, AND PHARMACOLOGIC DILATION OF A LARGE POPULATION OF JUVENILE AMERICAN ALLIGATORS ().

American alligators () are an important apex predator of semiaquatic habitats of the southern United States. Commercial alligator farming has grown in the last several decades, leading to a need to understand the health conditions that affect this species to ensure appropriate management and welfare. The aims of this study were 1) to establish and describe normative data including results of common ophthalmic diagnostic tests and conjunctival flora, 2) document ocular pathology in this population, and 3) assess the effect of topical rocuronium bromide and 10% phenylephrine for facilitating pharmacologic mydriasis.

Previous Antibiotic Exposure Reshapes the Population Structure of Infecting Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Strains by Selecting for Antibiotic Resistance over Urovirulence.

Antibiotic therapy is the standard of care for urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). However, previous antibiotic therapy may impart a selective pressure that influences the population structure and pathogenic potential of infecting UPEC strains. Here, we conducted a 3-year study using whole-genome-sequencing analysis and retrospective medical record review to characterize how antibiotic exposure influenced the phenotypic antibiotic resistance, acquired resistome, virulome, and population structure of 88 UTI-causing E.

Pathogenomics and clinical recurrence influence biofilm capacity of Escherichia coli isolated from canine urinary tract infections.

Biofilm formation enhances bacteria's ability to colonize unique niches while protecting themselves from environmental stressors. Escherichia coli that colonize the urinary tract can protect themselves from the harsh bladder environment by forming biofilms. These biofilms promote persistence that can lead to chronic and recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI).

Longitudinal environmental Staphylococcus contamination in a new small animal veterinary hospital and utility of cleaning checklists.

Staphylococci are inhabitants of skin and mucous membranes with Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (SP) and Staphylococcus aureus (SA) serving as important pathogens for animals and people, respectively. Previous research has identified the environment as potentially important in hospital-associated infections and zoonotic transmission in veterinary settings. The objective of this pilot study was to determine the longitudinal prevalence over repeated samplings of environmental coagulase-positive Staphylococcus (CPS) in a new veterinary hospital and evaluate associations between contamination and environmental and clinical (caseload, cleaning checklists and staff numbers) factors.

β-Lactam and Fluoroquinolone-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Recovered from the Environment of Human and Veterinary Tertiary Care Hospitals.

The dissemination of Enterobacteriaceae expressing resistance to clinically important antibiotics such as extended-spectrum cephalosporins (ESC), carbapenems, and fluoroquinolones is of critical concern to both human and veterinary medicine. In healthcare facilities, the movement of patients, personnel, and equipment provides an opportunity for Enterobacteriaceae carrying antibiotic resistance genes to disseminate in the hospital environment where they pose a threat to patients, staff, and hospital visitors. We collected environmental samples using electrostatic cloths to estimate the frequency of resistant Enterobacteriaceae contamination on human and veterinary hospital surfaces.

Salmonella spp. and Extended-Spectrum Cephalosporin-Resistant Escherichia coli Frequently Contaminate Broiler Chicken Transport Cages of an Organic Production Company.

Antimicrobial resistant bacteria in retail meat pose a health hazard to the public, as does contamination of these products with Salmonella. Our aim was to determine the prevalence of Salmonella as well as Escherichia coli expressing AmpC and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) resistance phenotypes contaminating broiler transport cages and fresh, retail ground chicken meat. Sterile gauze sponges were used to collect duplicate cage floor samples from transport trailers that deliver market-ready birds to a single organic poultry-processing facility.

High Prevalence of Multidrug-Resistant Community-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus at the Largest Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Costa Rica.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a pathogen associated with severe infections in companion animals present in the community, and it is diagnosed in animals admitted to veterinary hospitals. However, reports that describe the circulation of MRSA in animal populations and veterinary settings in Latin America are scarce. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and investigate the molecular epidemiology of MRSA in the environment of the largest veterinary teaching hospital in Costa Rica.

Outcomes of an Oral Care Protocol in Postmechanically Ventilated Patients.

Background: Oral care is standard practice to prevent hospital-associated infections while patients are intubated and in the intensive care unit. Following extubation and transfer, infections remain an important risk for patients, but less attention is paid to oral care. Few studies have assessed the impact of oral care in recently extubated acutely ill patients.

Molecular and clinical characteristics of hospital and community onset methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains associated with bloodstream infections.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bloodstream infections (BSI) are classified epidemiologically as health care-associated hospital onset (HAHO)-, health care-associated community onset (HACO)-, or community-associated (CA)-MRSA. Clinical and molecular differences between HAHO- and HACO-MRSA BSI are not well known. Thus, we evaluated clinical and molecular characteristics of MRSA BSI to determine if distinct features are associated with HAHO- or HACO-MRSA strains.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in public transportation vehicles (buses): another piece to the epidemiologic puzzle.

Background: Little is known about the occurrence and epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in public transportation in the United States. This research sought to determine the background prevalence and phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of MRSA strains circulating on buses from a large, metropolitan transportation agency.

Methods: Electrostatic wipes were used to collect 237 surface samples from 40 buses randomly selected from July-October 2010.

Molecular epidemiology of environmental MRSA at an equine teaching hospital: introduction, circulation and maintenance.

The role that environmental contamination might play as a reservoir and a possible source of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) for patients and personnel at equine veterinary hospitals remains undefined, as the environment has only been monitored during outbreaks or for short periods. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine the monthly presence, distribution, and characteristics of environmental MRSA at an equine hospital, and to establish patterns of contamination over time using molecular epidemiological analyses. For this purpose, a yearlong active MRSA surveillance was performed targeting the environment and incoming patients.

Screening and characterization of Staphylococcus aureus from ophthalmology clinic surfaces: a proposed surveillance tool.

Purpose: To screen environmental surfaces of an outpatient ophthalmic clinic for methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA and MRSA); to identify the most commonly contaminated surfaces and to phenotype and genotype all collected isolates.

Design: A single institution, 1-year prospective environmental study.

Methods: Commonly touched surfaces in examination rooms and common areas were targeted and sampled on a quarterly basis for 1 year.

Presence, distribution, and molecular epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a small animal teaching hospital: a year-long active surveillance targeting dogs and their environment.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is known to be present in small animal veterinary clinical environments. However, a better understanding of the ecology and dynamics of MRSA in these environments is necessary for the development of effective infectious disease prevention and control programs. To achieve this goal, a yearlong active MRSA surveillance program was established at The Ohio State University (OSU) Veterinary Medical Center to describe the spatial and molecular epidemiology of this bacterium in the small animal hospital.

Antimicrobial drug use in dogs prior to admission to a veterinary teaching hospital.

Objective: To determine frequency of antimicrobial drug (AMD) use in dogs within 12 months prior to admission to a veterinary teaching hospital.

Design: Owner survey and medical records review.

Animals: 435 dogs admitted to a veterinary teaching hospital.