title: Clinical management of Candida albicans keratomycosis in a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Corneal ulceration secondary to trauma commonly affects marine mammals, often with opportunistic secondary bacterial or fungal infections. This report characterizes the combined use of auriculopalpebral and ophthalmic nerve blocks, adipose-derived stem cells, and subconjunctival injections for successful treatment of corneal trauma and infection in dolphins.
  
  
  METHODS
  An 11-year-old, female bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) presented with bilateral diffuse corneal opacities, which progressed to keratomycosis caused by Candida albicans.
  
  
  METHODS
  Aggressive medical management was employed, including the use of subconjunctival injections of adipose-derived stem cells, plasma, topical and oral antifungals and antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory and pain medications. Anesthetic block of the auriculopalpebral and ophthalmic nerves was employed to evaluate the corneas.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Subconjunctival injections were employed over 52 days, followed by topical drops for 5 months. At last evaluation, there was no evidence of blepharospasm bilaterally. Only a faint superficial gray corneal opacity remained OS. A temporal paraxial corneal opacity was present OD, with receding inactive vascularization and a small amount of melanosis temporally.
authors.affiliation: National Marine Mammal Foundation, San Diego, CA, 92106, USA.
authors.forename: Claire A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Simeone
authors.affiliation: Sunset Cliffs Animal Hospital, San Diego, CA, 92107, USA.
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Traversi
authors.affiliation: National Marine Mammal Foundation, San Diego, CA, 92106, USA.
authors.forename: Jenny M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Meegan
authors.affiliation: National Marine Mammal Foundation, San Diego, CA, 92106, USA.
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: LeBert
authors.affiliation: All Animal Eye Care, Jupiter, FL, 33458, USA.
authors.forename: Carmen M H
authors.initials: CMH
authors.lastname: Colitz
authors.affiliation: U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, CA, 92152, USA.
authors.forename: Eric D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Jensen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D050681:Bottle-Nosed Dolphin; D002176:Candida albicans; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D015821:Eye Infections, Fungal / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000662:veterinary; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents
keywords: 
  Candida albicans
  ; 
  Tursiops truncatus
  ; bottlenose dolphin; keratomycosis; nerve block; stem cells