Comparison of conjunctival microbiota of clinically normal Persian cats with and without nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to determine the conjunctival microbiota of Persian cats with and without nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO). ANIMALS STUDIED: Twenty-five Persian cats: 15 with bilateral NLDO (Group A) and 10 with no NLDO (Group B). PROCEDURES: All fifty eyes were assessed. Sterile swab applicators were used for the collection of specimens, which were cultured. PCR was performed on conjunctival swab and blood samples for the detection of Mycoplasma spp. and feline herpesvirus 1(FHV-1), respectively. RESULTS: FHV-1 was detected in two cats in Group A. Twelve eyes from Group A and four from Group B were Mycoplasma spp. positive based on the PCR results. Moreover, fungal culture was positive in six eyes from Group A and three eyes from Group B. The dominant fungus isolated was Aspergillus spp. (6 out of 11 fungal isolates). Other isolated fungi were Alternaria spp. and Cladosporidium spp. Twenty-three eyes had positive bacterial culture in Group A, while twelve eyes were positive in Group B. The most commonly isolated bacteria were Staphylococcus epidermidis (15 out of 38 bacterial isolates). ß-hemolytic Streptococcus spp., Corynebacterium spp., and Staphylococcus aureus were isolated in similar proportions in both groups. Escherichia coli was also present in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study revealed same isolated fungal and bacterial spp. and in similar proportions in Persian cats with and without NLDO.

EVALUATION OF CONJUNCTIVAL MICROBIOTA IN CLINICALLY NORMAL PERSIAN SQUIRRELS ( SCIURUS ANOMALUS).

This study aimed to evaluate the bacterial flora in the conjunctival fornix of clinically normal Persian squirrels ( Sciurus anomalus). Forty healthy Persian squirrels of equal gender distribution with similar ages (approximately 2 yr) were used for this study. A total of 80 conjunctival swabs were taken from both the right and left eyes of each squirrel for aerobic and anaerobic bacterial identification. A slit-lamp examination was conducted and no external ocular disease was identified. From 80 normal eyes, Staphylococcus spp. comprised the most frequently isolated organism (83%), while Corynebacterium spp. were the second most frequently isolated bacteria (56%), followed by Streptococcus spp. (53%), Chlamydia spp. (33%). Mycoplasma spp. (30%), Pseudomonas spp. (23%), Escherichia coli spp. (12.5%), Enterococcus spp. (7%), and Micrococcus spp. (4%) were also isolated. The most frequently isolated bacteria from the conjunctival fornix of healthy Persian squirrels were Staphylococcus spp. followed by Corynebacterium spp.

Investigation of eye flora in cats infected with Herpesvirus and Calicivirus.

Background and Objectives: The ocular surface is perpetually exposed to the external environment, rendering it susceptible to microbial contamination. The ocular surface microbiota consists of non-pathogenic microorganisms that inhabit the conjunctiva and cornea. This study's objective was to extensively review the prevalence of bacterial and fungal organisms in the conjunctiva of healthy and diseased cats. (Herpes- and Calici-infected groups). Materials and Methods: The current study was performed on 240 cats that had visited veterinary health centers (Tehran, Iran) for examination. Sterile swabs from each cat's eyes were investigated for microbiological assessment. After sample collection, viral pathogens (Herpes and Calici viruses) were isolated and identified using the PCR method. The ages of the investigated group were 3.76, 3.93, and 4.15 months. Results: The highest frequency of bacteria in the normal, Herpes-infected/Calici-infected, and Herpes/Calici-infected groups were associated with Staphylococcus intermedius and Streptococcus agalactiae, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Staphylococcus intermedius, respectively. In addition, it was found that the high prevalence of fungal microorganisms in the isolated samples was related to yeasts, Aspergillus (Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger), and Penicillium species. Conclusion: Bacterial prevalence was significantly higher in all groups than the prevalence of fungi in the eyes of cats. The statistical comparison between the study groups regarding microbial and fungal frequency showed that significant differences were found between them, such that the frequency was higher in all disease groups, against the control group. In addition, a significant relation was observed between the Herpes-infected and Calici-infected groups regarding microbial and fungal prevalence.

The evaluation of normal ocular parameters in two breeds of hedgehogs.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate conjunctival microflora and measure normal tear production and intraocular pressure (IOP) in two breeds of hedgehogs (long-eared hedgehogs and Brandt's hedgehogs). METHODS: Forty-eight hedgehogs from two different breeds were chosen for the study. Tear production was measured using the Schirmer tear test (STT) and phenol red thread test (PRTT) in both eyes. IOP was measured using a rebound tonometer. To perform microbiological sampling one drop of tetracaine was instilled in the eyes. Two sterile microswabs were used to collect samples for the microbial and fungal culture. All the microswab samples were transferred in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) to the laboratory for culture. Two MacConkey and two blood agar media plates were employed for each eye. Oneplate of sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) was used for the fungal culture for each eye. Standard biochemical tests were performed to identify the isolated organisms. RESULTS: The mean STT and PRTT values were 1.6 ± 0.1 mm/min and 2.4 ± 0.3 mm/15 s in long-eared hedgehogs and 2.2 ± 0.1 mm/min and 2.5 ± 0.3 mm/15 s in Brandt's hedgehogs, respectively. Mean (SD) Intraocular pressure of right eyes in long-eared hedgehog and Brandt hedgehog were 19.7 ± 1.4 mmHg and 19.2 ± 2.4 mmHg, respectively. In the left eyes of long-eared hedgehog and Brandt hedgehog mean (SD) IOP were 19.8 ± 1.5 mmHg and 19.5 ± 2.1 mmHg, respectively. In long-eared hedgehogs, the most common bacteria were Staphylococcus epidermidis and Bacillus spp. In Brandt's hedgehogs, 24 out of 48 eyes had Staphylococcus epidermidis, which was the most commonly isolated bacterial species. CONCLUSIONS: This study established reference intervals for IOP, STT and PRTT in hedgehogs and recognised and compared ocular conjunctival microflora in two breeds of hedgehogs.

Molecular characterization of canine and feline kobuvirus infections in Iran.

Kobuviruses are viral pathogens with broad host range presented in human gastroenteritis cases; but, the pathogenesis of these viruses in companion animals is not well described. In the present study, the presence of canine (CaKVs) and feline kobuviruses (FeKVs) was detected in the 100 fecal samples of diarrhoeic and healthy companion dogs and cats by polymerase chain reaction in Tehran, Iran. The prevalence of infection was estimated as 8.00% and 4.00% in dogs and cats, respectively. All positive samples were belonged to non-diarrhoeic animals except for a feline sample being co-infected with panleukopenia. Sequence analysis showed multiple point mutations in canine and feline Iranian strains and new feline strain was detected in the present study. This is the first detection of CaKVs and FeKVs in Iran; but, the exact role of these enteric viral pathogens and their zoonotic risks are better to be clarified in all endemic regions.

Evaluation of tear production using the Schirmer tear test I in healthy cats; effect of age, life stage, sex, breed and neuter status.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the values of Schirmer tear test (STT) and determine effects of age, life stage, sex, breed and neuter status on tear production in healthy cats. METHODS: Three hundred and forty-three domestic shorthair (DSH) and Persian cats, 50 days through 18 years old, were examined in this study. STT I was used to measure tear production in both eyes of each cat. RESULTS: A mean STT 14.9±4.8 mm/min was calculated for the eyes of all cats. There was a significant difference between STT values in kittens (≤6 months old) and cats of other age groups (P<0.001). A substantial number of cats with clinically normal eyes had STT values less than 10 mm/min. No significant difference was found between males (14.7±5.0 mm/min) and females (15.1±4.5 mm/min) in STT values (P=0.46). Significant differences were found between entire (14.4±4.2 mm/min) and neutered (16.2±4.1 mm/min) cats (P=0.001), and between STT values of DSH (14.6±5.0 mm/min) and Persian (16.5±3.1 mm/min) cats in the study population (P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study documents the average STT values for a sizeable feline population demonstrating that, in contradistinction to the situation in dogs, a number of cats with clinically normal eyes have STT values below 10 mm/min.

Seasonal Effects on the Corneoconjunctival Microflora in a Population of Persian Cats in Iran.

This study was performed to determine the normal seasonal aerobic and an-aerobic corneoconjunctival bacterial flora in cats. Thirty eyes of 15 clinically normal client-owned Persian cats were evaluated. All cats lived in a similar indoor/outdoor home environment being fed the same diet for the entire year. The cats did not receive any medications and were found to be clinically healthy 1 week prior to each microbial sampling. The cats were not exposed to other cats during the study period. Microbial samples were collected at the same time of day on the first day of the second month of each of the four seasons. During sample collection, a sterile swab was rolled over the corneoconjunctival surface avoiding contact with surrounding skin or hair. Immediately after sample collection, microbiologic aerobic and anaerobic cultures were initiated. Gram-positive bacteria were the most prevalent isolates. The most commonly isolated bacterial organisms across all seasons were Staphylococcus epidermidis (41/95; 43.2%), ß-hemolytic streptococcus (18/95; 18.9%), Staphylococcus aureus (17/95; 17.9%), and Escherichia coli (11/95; 11.5%). Twenty-five cultures of a total of 120 (20.8%) were negative. One negative culture was collected in the summer, while 21 cultures were negative in fall and winter. Gram-positive bacteria were the predominant micro-organisms of the normal ocular surface of healthy cats in all seasons in this study. This result is in agreement with previous publications.

Comparison of the Schirmer tear test I values after placement in ventral and dorsal conjunctival fornices in healthy cats.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to compare the Schirmer tear test I values obtained from placement of Schirmer tear test (STT) strips in ventral and dorsal conjunctival fornices and to investigate any correlation between age, body weight and STT values in clinically normal cats. METHODS: Twenty-eight intact adult domestic shorthair and Persian cats were used in this study. The cats were gently physically restrained in a sternal position, and a Schirmer tear strip was placed on each eye in the ventral conjunctival fornix at one-third of the distance from the temporal to nasal canthus for 60 s. Then, the wetted portion of the strips was measured as mm/min (L-STT I). After 48 h, the same procedure was performed on each eye in the dorsal conjunctival fornix (U-STT I). RESULTS: Mean ± SD STT values of the ventral and dorsal conjunctival fornices were 20.80 ± 2.25 mm/min (range 14-25 mm/min; 95% confidence interval [CI] 19.92-21.67) and 18.28 ± 2.27 mm/min (range 15-22 mm/min; 95% CI 17.39-19.16) in all of the study population, respectively. A significant difference was found between STT values obtained from the ventral and dorsal conjunctival fornices ( P <0.001). There was no correlation between the age and body weight of the animals and STT I values. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This study compared the STT I values of the dorsal and ventral conjunctival fornices in cats. The difference was significant between the L-STT I and U-STT I values; however, the L-STT I and U-STT I values were within normal reference intervals. The U-STT I data have diagnostic value that might be of benefit in cases where there is a problem in the ventral conjunctival fornix.