Comparison of two methods for presurgical disinfection of the equine hoof.
Abstract: To determine for equine hooves the normal resident aerobic bacterial population and the efficacy of 2 methods of disinfection. Study Design-Measurement of total bacterial, gram-positive bacterial, and gram-negative bacterial surface populations from the frog, sole, and hoof wall after each step of 2 different preoperative surgical disinfection techniques. Methods: Six adult horses. Methods: Hoof wall, sole, and frog samples were collected for quantitative bacteriology before, during, and after 2 multistep antiseptic preparation techniques: Method A-6-minute scrub with povidone-iodine soap, followed by 24-hour submersion in povidone-iodine solution-soaked cotton; and Method B-initial removal of superficial layer of hoof capsule before completing Method A disinfection procedures. Results: Removal of the superficial hoof layer, application of the povidone iodine scrub, and completion of the povidone-iodine soak all significantly (P < .0008) decreased total bacterial numbers. Method B had significantly lower bacterial counts than method A at each consecutive step. Final total bacterial counts remained greater than 10(5) bacteria per gram of tissue regardless of preparation method. Conclusions: The hoof surface hosts a broad spectrum of aerobic gram-positive and -negative bacteria, many of which are potential pathogens. Bacterial numbers can be significantly reduced by removal of the superficial hoof surface, by application of a povidone-iodine scrub, and by use of a 24-hour povidone-iodine soak. However, bacterial populations >10(5) g per tissue persist after these disinfection procedures. Conclusions: Regardless of the preparation methods used in this study, bacterial populations capable of inducing wound infection remain on the hoof capsule.
Copyright 2001 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons
Publication Date: 2001-07-10 PubMed ID: 11443598DOI: 10.1053/jvet.2001.24392Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
Summary
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This research article investigates the normal bacteria found on horse hooves and compares the effectiveness of two different methods of disinfection in reducing these bacteria before surgery. The findings suggest that while both methods can significantly decrease bacteria numbers, substantial bacteria populations big enough to potentially cause a wound infection still linger.
Research Design and Methods
- This study was conducted on six adult horses. The focus was on three areas of the hoof: the wall, sole, and frog.
- Samples from these areas were collected and studied for quantitative bacteriology – before, during, and after the application of two pre-surgical disinfection methods.
- Method A involved a 6-minute scrub with povidone-iodine soap, followed by a 24-hour soak in a povidone-iodine solution-infused cotton.
- Method B added an initial step to Method A: the removal of the superficial layer of the hoof capsule before the scrub and soak treatments.
Research Results
- Both disinfection techniques significantly reduced the total bacteria numbers. Three specific actions contributed to this reduction: removal of the superficial hoof layer, application of the povidone iodine scrub, and completion of the povidone-iodine soak.
- Method B, which included the additional step of removing the top layer of the hoof, resulted in significantly lower bacterial counts at each consecutive step compared to Method A.
- Despite these reductions, the final total bacterial counts remained above 10^5 bacteria per gram of tissue, irrespective of the disinfection method applied.
Conclusion
- The horse hoof surface is home to a diverse range of aerobic (oxygen-dependent) gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Many of these bacteria carry the potential to cause diseases and infections.
- Both disinfection procedures – removing the superficial hoof layer, applying a povidone-iodine scrub, and a 24-hour povidone-iodine soak – can significantly reduce these bacterial populations.
- However, even after these disinfection techniques, there is still a high number of bacteria (>10^5 per gram of tissue) that persist on the hoof surface.
- In consequence, the potential risk of wound infection remains after disinfection, regardless of the preparation method used.
Cite This Article
APA
Hennig GE, Kraus BH, Fister R, King VL, Steckel RR, Kirker-Head CA.
(2001).
Comparison of two methods for presurgical disinfection of the equine hoof.
Vet Surg, 30(4), 366-373.
https://doi.org/10.1053/jvet.2001.24392 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Surgery, Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, MA, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Anti-Infective Agents, Local / administration & dosage
- Anti-Infective Agents, Local / pharmacology
- Colony Count, Microbial
- Disinfection / methods
- Gram-Negative Bacteria / drug effects
- Gram-Negative Bacteria / isolation & purification
- Gram-Positive Bacteria / drug effects
- Gram-Positive Bacteria / isolation & purification
- Hoof and Claw / microbiology
- Horses / microbiology
- Horses / surgery
- Povidone-Iodine / administration & dosage
- Povidone-Iodine / pharmacology
- Preoperative Care / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Isola M, Piccinotti C, Magro M, Fasolato L, Vianello F, Menandro ML, Memarian P, Rossi M, Falomo ME. Colloidal Iron Oxide Formulation for Equine Hoof Disinfection. Animals (Basel) 2021 Mar 10;11(3).
- Abdullahi UF, Igwenagu E, Mu'azu A, Aliyu S, Umar MI. Intrigues of biofilm: A perspective in veterinary medicine. Vet World 2016 Jan;9(1):12-8.
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