Effect of Joint Sampling Technique on Bacterial Load in Synovial Fluid Samples of Swine in a Commercial Setting

摘要

In this trial sampling technique did impact levels of bacterial contamination present in synovial fluid. The differences in contamination levels were highly variable between sampling techniques, ranging from no bacteria present to bacterial concentrations of 10^6. Needle aspiration proceeded by skinning of the joint resulted in the lowest level of contamination in samples indicating the skin is a major source of contamination and the use of needle aspiration over swab collection significantly reduces contamination levels.