Usefulness of aerobic microbial culture and cytologic evaluation of corneal specimens in the diagnosis of infectious ulcerative keratitis in animals.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the diagnostic value of aerobic microbial culture and cytologic evaluation of corneal specimens in the diagnosis of infectious ulcerative keratitis (IUK).


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
48 animals (26 dogs, 13 horses, 7 cats, 1 bird, and 1 llama) with corneal ulcers.


METHODS
Scrapings from corneal ulcers were examined cytologically. Corneal swab specimens were submitted for microbial culture. Animals were grouped according to whether they had been receiving antimicrobials at the time of admission.


RESULTS
Of the 38 animals receiving antimicrobials, 19 had positive results for IUK on cytologic evaluation, 20 on microbial culture, and 26 on cytologic evaluation, microbial culture, or both. Of the 10 animals not receiving antimicrobials at the time of admission, 7 had positive results for IUK on cytologic evaluation, and 9 had positive results on microbial culture. In this group of 10 animals, additional animals with IUK were not identified on the basis of cytologic evaluation alone. When all 48 animals were considered irrespective of antimicrobial treatment, 26 and 29 had positive results for IUK on cytologic evaluation and microbial culture, respectively, whereas IUK was confirmed in 35 animals on the basis of cytologic evaluation, microbial culture results, or both.


CONCLUSIONS
Microbial culture and cytologic evaluation of corneal specimens maximizes identification of IUK, especially in animals receiving antimicrobial treatment. Because of serious consequences of untreated IUK, we recommend that both diagnostic tests be used to tailor treatment and reduce risk of vision impairment in animals.
School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
K L
KL
Massa
C J
CJ
Murphy
F A
FA
Hartmann
P E
PE
Miller
C S
CS
Korsower
K M
KM
Young
D000820:Animal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001717:Birds; D002161:Camelids, New World; D002415:Cats; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial / Q000662:veterinary; D003315:Cornea / Q000166:cytology / Q000382:microbiology; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006736:Horses; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents