Skin antisepsis protocols for the collection of blood from donor dogs

The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the bactericidal efficacy of2% chlorhexidine surfactant solution + 70% alcohol and 2% chlorhexidine surfactant solution + 0.5% chlorhexidine-alcohol, and standardize skin antisepsis for blood collection from donor dogs. One hundred and twenty skin swabsof the jugular regions of 20 dogs were evaluated. Swabs were distributed into six treatment(T) groups according to the disinfectant used and removal or retention of local hair: T1involved neither antisepsisnorhair removal; T2comprised 2% chlorhexidine + 0.5% chlorhexidine-alcoholwithout hair removal;T3 comprised 2% chlorhexidine + 70% alcohol without hair removal; T4comprised hair removal but no antisepsis;T5comprised 2% chlorhexidine + 0.5% chlorhexidine-alcohol withhair removal; and T6comprised 2% chlorhexidine + 70% alcohol with hair removal. Antiseptic agents were continuously applied in a single direction for a total of 3 min. Use of antiseptics was effective with or without hair removal, resulting in the absence of bacterial growth. Complete efficacy of the technique used in this study may have been due to the increased antiseptic application time. In conclusion,the antisepsis protocols tested in this study can be safely used for the collection of blood from dogs; although,removal of hair prior to antisepsis is still recommended. RESUMO: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar e comparar o potencial de redução bacteriana proporcionado peloclorexidinadegermante 2% + álcool 70% eclorexidinadegermante 2% + clorexidinaalcoolica 0,5% e padronizar a antissepsia de pele para colheita de sangue de cães doadores. Foram avaliados 120 zaragatoas de pele da região da jugular de 20 cães, que foram distribuídos em seis tratamentos (T) de acordo com oagente usado para desinfecção, associado, ou não, a tricotomia local: T1 - Tratamento sem tricotomia e sem antissepsia, T2 - Tratamento clorexidinadegermante 2% + clorexidinaalcoolica 0,5% sem tricotomia, T3 - Tratamento clorexidina 2% + álcool 70% sem tricotomia, T4 - Tratamento com tricotomia e sem antissepsia, T5 - Tratamento clorexidina 2% + clorexidina alcoólica 0,5% com tricotomia, T6 - Tratamento clorexidina 2% + álcool 70% com tricotomia. A antissepsia foi feita de forma contínua em um único sentido, totalizando 3 minutos. O uso dos antissépticos se mostraram eficazes nos tratamentos com e sem tricotomia não apresentando crescimento bacteriano. A eficácia de 100% da técnica utilizada no presente trabalho pode se