Bacterial Environmental Surveillance

Hospital acquired infections are a major problem in human hospitals, and more recently they have been recognised as a potential problem in small animal and equine veterinary hospitals. Development of hospitalisation facilities in veterinary settings, especially in intensive care units, have led to opportunities for transmission of nosocomial pathogens similar to those found in human hospitals and there is a need for implementation of infection control practices and policies.

We are supporting our veterinary hospitals in this task by providing environmental surveillance for monitoring the ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter spp.) known to be a leading cause of nosocomial infections, but also by including other multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram negative pathogens, which can lead to nosocomial infections.

This service can be also provided to external veterinary hospitals and veterinary practices; if you would like to discuss this option please contact Dr. Dorina Timofte (d.timofte@liv.ac.uk).