Presumed clostridial and aerobic bacterial infections of the cornea in two horses.

Abstract

Microscopic examination of Gram-stained tissue specimens collected from severe corneal ulcers in 2 horses revealed large gram-positive rods suggestive of Clostridium spp. Clostridium perfringens was isolated from specimens collected from horse 1; anaerobic organisms were not detected in specimens from horse 2. Aerobic bacterial culture revealed Aeromonas hydrophila and Enterobacter cloacae in specimens collected from horses 1 and 2, respectively. An insect exoskeleton was presumed to be the underlying cause of ulceration in horse 1. Cause of ulceration in horse 2 was not determined. Antibiotics used to treat the corneal infections included ticarcillin disodium-clavulanic acid injected one time subconjunctivally and chloramphenicol applied topically at frequent intervals. Horse 2 also received penicillin or trimethoprim-sulfadiazine. Small leukomas were the only lesion remaining between 2 and 7 months after initial evaluation. Chloramphenicol applied topically appears to be an effective treatment against clostridial corneal infections in horses.

• Authors: W C Rebhun, J O Cho, J E Gaarder, S F Peek, V H Patten
• Journal: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (J Am Vet Med Assoc) Vol. 214 Issue 10 Pg. 1519-22, 1496 (May 15 1999) ISSN: 0003-1488 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10340080 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Ointments
• Ophthalmic Solutions
• Penicillins
• Chloramphenicol

Topics

• Administration, Topical
• Aeromonas hydrophila (isolation & purification)
• Animals
• Bacteria, Aerobic (isolation & purification)
• Chloramphenicol (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Clostridium Infections (drug therapy, microbiology, veterinary)
• Corneal Ulcer (drug therapy, microbiology, veterinary)
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Enterobacter cloacae (isolation & purification)
• Enterobacteriaceae Infections (drug therapy, microbiology, veterinary)
• Eye Foreign Bodies (complications)
• Eye Infections, Bacterial (drug therapy, microbiology, veterinary)
• Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections (drug therapy, microbiology, veterinary)
• Horse Diseases (drug therapy, etiology, microbiology)
• Horses
• Insecta
• Ointments
• Ophthalmic Solutions
• Penicillins (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)