Normal aerobic bacterial conjunctival flora in the Crab-eating raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus) and Coati (Nasua nasua) housed in captivity in pernambuco and paraiba (Northeast, Brazil).

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the normal aerobic bacterial conjunctival population of the Coatis and the Crab-eating raccoons housed in captivity in the Pernambuco and Paraiba states of Brazil. ANIMALS STUDIED: Ten healthy Coatis and 10 healthy Crab-eating raccoons were selected for this study. Animals are from three zoos situated at the Pernambuco and Paraiba States in the north-east of Brazil. PROCEDURES: After ophthalmologic examination, swabs from healthy animals were carefully collected in order to avoid contamination. Samples were identified and submitted to the laboratory. Swabs were plated for culture on ovine blood agar (8%) and agar Levine and incubated at 37 °C and observed 24 and 48 h. RESULTS: Staphylococcus spp. was the most common microorganism isolated from conjunctival sac. Shigella spp. comprised the Gram-negative genera isolated. Escherichia coli were isolated from the right eye of one Coati that had no growth at contralateral eye. Nine eyes from coatis and 10 from Crab-eating raccoons had no microorganisms isolated. CONCLUSION: Our results were in accordance with previous studies indicating Staphylococcus sp., followed by Corynebacterium spp. as the most common inhabitant of the eyes of most mammalian species.