Characteristics of the bacterial flora in the conjunctival sac of cats from Poland. (5th December 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kiełbowicz, Z.; Płoneczka‐Janeczko, K.; Bania, J.; Bierowiec, K.; Kiełbowicz, M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of small animal practice. Volume 56:Number 3(2015:Mar.)
• Page Start: 203
• Page End: 206
• Publication Date: 2014-12-05
• Subjects: Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; Veterinary Medicine -- Periodicals; 636.089
• DOI: 10.1111/jsap.12304
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-4510

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="jsap12304-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="jsap12304-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>OBJECTIVES</title> <p id="jsap12304-para-0001">To assess the bacterial flora of the conjunctival sac in clinically healthy cats and cats with signs of conjunctivitis.</p> </sec> <sec id="jsap12304-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>METHODS</title> <p id="jsap12304-para-0002">A total of 324 conjunctival swabs were examined between 2011 and 2012 taken from 60 animals, 30 of which were clinically healthy and 30 with signs of chronic conjunctivitis. The samples were taken three times at 4‐week intervals from the clinically healthy cats. The samples from the cats with conjunctivitis were taken before and 4 weeks after cessation of successful therapy. Swabs from both the right and left eye of each cat were subjected to microbiological examination and polymerase chain reaction for the presence of DNA of <italic>Chlamydophila felis</italic> and <italic>Mycoplasma felis.</italic></p> </sec> <sec id="jsap12304-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>RESULTS</title> <p id="jsap12304-para-0003">There was no qualitative difference in the eye microflora between the clinically healthy animals and those with signs of conjunctivitis. <italic>Staphylococcus epidermidis</italic> (21 · 9%) was the most common microorganism isolated and it was more commonly detected in swabs from cats with conjunctivitis (P < 0 · 0001) as was <italic>Staphylococcus aureus</italic> (P = 0 · 07). The presence of <italic>C. felis</italic> was significantly correlated with (P < 0 · 0001) signs of conjunctivitis and was detected in 25% of swabs collected from both conjunctival sacs. No DNA of <italic>M. felis</italic> was detected in any swab. None of the animals had sterile conjunctival sacs in all consecutive bacteriological tests.</p> </sec> <sec id="jsap12304-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE</title> <p id="jsap12304-para-0004">The conjunctival sac in cats was sterile in over 50% of the clinically healthy cats and 25% of the cats with conjunctivitis. The sterility did not persist for longer than 4 weeks. Positive bacterial cultures occur in cats with and without clinical signs of conjunctivitis.</p> </sec> </abstract>