Effectiveness of the complex use of antiseptic agents based on alcohols and iodophors in veterinary surgery

Abstract

The aim of this study was to conduct a laboratory and clinical evaluation of the efficacy of the combined use of an alcohol-based antiseptic and an iodophore-based disinfectant in veterinary surgical practice, as well as to determine their synergistic antimicrobial activity against clinical veterinary isolates. Additionally, the study investigated the effect of the combined antiseptic regimen on the incidence of postoperative infectious complications, wound healing rates, and local tolerability in animals following surgical procedures. The study was conducted in two phases—laboratory and clinical. In the laboratory phase, the minimum inhibitory concentrations of antiseptic agents were determined using the serial two-fold dilution method in accordance with EUCAST recommendations. Clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus MRSA, Escherichia coli ESBL+, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus canis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus fumigatus were used as test cultures. Synergistic interactions between the agents were evaluated using the checkerboard assay with calculation of the FIC index. Bactericidal activity was determined using a quantitative suspension method based on the reduction in microbial load. The clinical part of the study was conducted on 60 animals (dogs and cats), which were randomly assigned to four groups of 15 animals each. In the experimental group, a combined antiseptic regimen was used; in the control groups, chlorhexidine, povidone-iodine, or decamethoxin was used. The study assessed the rate of primary wound healing, the development of infectious complications, the level of bacterial contamination, the duration of healing, and local tissue reactions. Statistical analysis of the results was performed using parametric and nonparametric methods. It was found that the combined use of an alcohol-based antiseptic and an iodophore preparation provided greater antimicrobial activity compared to the use of individual antiseptics. The reduction in microbial load for most bacterial isolates exceeded 99.97%. The FIC values for the combinations studied ranged from 0.33 to 0.44, indicating a synergistic effect. The combination regimen demonstrated the most pronounced activity against antibiotic-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus MRSA and Escherichia coli ESBL+. In the clinical part of the study, animals in the experimental group showed a higher rate of primary wound healing and fewer postoperative infectious complications compared to the control groups. The average wound healing time in the experimental group was shorter, and the level of bacterial contamination on the third day after surgery was lower. Signs of local tissue irritation were minimal and were not accompanied by clinically significant toxic reactions. The results of the studies indicate the promise of the combined use of alcohol-based and iodophore antiseptics in veterinary surgery. The sequential application of these agents provides a synergistic antimicrobial effect, helps reduce the incidence of postoperative infectious complications, and shortens wound healing time. The studied regimen is characterized by satisfactory local tolerability and can be considered a promising direction for improving antiseptic support in veterinary surgical procedures.