Induced systemic listeriosis in Alectoris chukar chicks: clinical, histopathological and microbiological findings.

1. Systemic listeriosis was induced in 14-d-old Chukar partridge chicks, Alectoris chukar, by intravenous injection of a suspension containing 10(6) cfu/ml of viable Listeria monocytogenes organisms to study the course of infection. 2. Septicaemic and encephalitic forms of listeriosis were observed in all birds. Infection resulted in a fever response 8-h post-inoculation. Disease rapidly developed over a 24-h period with decreased activity, lethargy, ruffled feathers, huddling, listlessness, inability to stand, wing droop, decreased feed and water consumption, growth depression, neural disturbances and finally death. Gross and histopathological changes were observed in the myocardium, proventriculus, gizzard, intestine, pancreas, kidney, liver, spleen, lung, meninges and joints. 3. The diversity of these clinical signs and lesions suggests a high susceptibility of Chukar partridge chicks to systemic listeriosis.

Suprachoroidal hemorrhage in penetrating keratoplasty.

Nine cases of intraoperative expulsive suprachoroidal hemorrhage occurred in a series of 2011 consecutive penetrating keratoplasties (an incidence of 0.45%). In four cases, the complication was directly related to the anesthesia technique. The incidence of hemorrhage was 1.0% in the eyes with preoperative anterior chamber intraocular lenses (IOLs), an incidence significantly higher than for any other associated condition (P < .02). Four of the nine patients recovered a postoperative visual acuity of 20/70 or better. We discuss reasons for the relatively high incidence of hemorrhage during penetrating keratoplasty; its occurrence in relation to the type of anesthesia used, prior intraocular surgery, types of surgery performed together with the penetrating keratoplasty, and the presence of an anterior chamber IOL; and the risks introduced by hemorrhage in a fellow eye and by a previous hemorrhage in the same eye.

Microbial keratitis following penetrating keratoplasty.

A retrospective study of 36 cases of infectious keratitis in the graft following 885 consecutive penetrating keratoplasties was conducted to evaluate the spectrum of pathogens and the factors affecting graft survival. Gram positive cocci and gram negative rods were equally responsible (47% in both cases) for 94% of the infections. Epithelial defects were responsible for 64% of the ulcers; suture-related infections, for 36%. After the infectious keratitis resolved, only 50% of the patients had a clear graft. Because the visual prognosis is poor once infectious keratitis develops, aggressive treatment is essential as soon as any sign of infiltration appears.