title: 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.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Rebhun
authors.forename: J O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Gaarder
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Peek
authors.forename: V H
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Patten
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D016980:Aeromonas hydrophila / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000818:Animals; D001420:Bacteria, Aerobic / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002701:Chloramphenicol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003015:Clostridium Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D016972:Enterobacter cloacae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004756:Enterobacteriaceae Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D005129:Eye Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology; D006736:Horses; D007313:Insecta; D009824:Ointments; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D010406:Penicillins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D009824:Ointments; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D010406:Penicillins; D002701:Chloramphenicol