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

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.