Brucella canis endophthalmitis in 3 dogs: clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To describe historical, clinical and diagnostic features of dogs with Brucella canis endophthalmitis and the response to medical therapy.


METHODS
Three dogs with naturally acquired B. canis endophthalmitis.


METHODS
Dogs were treated symptomatically with topical ophthalmic anti-inflammatories and a novel antimicrobial protocol that included doxycycline, enrofloxacin, rifampin and streptomycin.


RESULTS
All dogs presented with chronic or recurrent uveitis in the absence of overt systemic disease. Clinical ophthalmologic abnormalities were unilateral in each dog and included mild-to-moderate anterior uveitis, iris hyperpigmentation, marked vitreal infiltrates, and multifocal chorioretinitis. Dogs were diagnosed with canine brucellosis serologically and by blood culture (n = 2 dogs) or polymerase chain reaction of aqueous humor and blood (n = 1 dog). Active ocular inflammation resolved in all dogs during treatment, with preservation of vision in 2 dogs. Following treatment, B. canis could not be cultured from blood samples and serological values declined with seronegativity achieved in all dogs after a median of 96 weeks (range: 36-112 weeks) of therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Brucella canis infection should be included in the differential diagnosis for dogs with intraocular inflammation, regardless of previous history or neuter status. This is the first report of apparently successful medical therapy of canine brucellosis with ocular involvement.
Ledbetter
Eric C
EC
Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. ecl32@cornell.edu
Landry
Matthew P
MP
Stokol
Tracy
T
Kern
Thomas J
TJ
Messick
Joanne B
JB
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D041002:Brucella canis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D004285:Dogs; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents