Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Conjunctival bacteria in Persian cats with blocked tear ducts
By Arteaga, Kevin et al.·Published in Veterinary ophthalmology·2021·Eye Clinic, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Comparison of conjunctival microbiota of clinically normal Persian cats with and without nasolacrimal duct obstruction.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 25 Persian cats was studied to compare the eye bacteria and fungi in those with and without a blocked tear duct (nasolacrimal duct obstruction). The researchers found that both groups had similar types of bacteria and fungi in their eyes, including common ones like Staphylococcus and Aspergillus. Interestingly, two cats with the blockage tested positive for feline herpesvirus, which can cause eye problems. Overall, the study showed that the presence of a blocked tear duct did not significantly change the types of microbes found in the eyes of these cats.
People also search for: Persian cat eye problems · blocked tear duct in cats · cat eye infection treatment
Abstract
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). β-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.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34402572/