Bacterial Contamination of Veterinary Surgical Microscopes in Referral Ophthalmology Practice and a Survey of Cleaning Protocols-A Pilot Study.

Surgical microscopes harbor skin commensals; standardized cleaning protocols are needed.

This pilot study investigated bacterial contamination of surgical microscopes and cleaning protocols in veterinary referral ophthalmology centers. Bacteriology samples from two surgical microscopes were collected from different components (eyepieces, handles, objective lenses) before and after cataract surgery. Culture results identified seven isolates representing three bacterial species from six of 12 swabs, with coagulase-negative staphylococci being most common (5/7). All isolates were normal mammalian skin commensals, with eyepieces and handles showing higher contamination rates than objective lenses. No multidrug-resistant organisms were identified. A concurrent survey of 12 UK referral practices revealed highly variable cleaning protocols: nine centers cleaned microscopes only on usage days, one daily regardless of use, and two never performed regular cleaning. Only two centers conducted routine surface surveillance. The findings suggest surgical microscopes may serve as reservoirs for opportunistic pathogens, particularly in surgeon-contact areas, though current contamination levels appear low-risk. The authors conclude that standardized, evidence-based cleaning protocols for surgical microscopes in veterinary practice warrant further investigation.

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