CONJUNCTIVAL MICROBIOTA IN CLINICALLY HEALTHY DOGS AND DOGS WITH KERATOCONJUNCTIVITIS SICCA

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the bacterial microorganisms in the conjunctival sac of clinically normal dogs and of dogs with keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) attended at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Bahia. Thirty health animals and 28 with KCS were included in the research. Bacterial growth was observed in 60% of the healthy dogs and in 89.29% of the dogs with KCS. There was a predominance of Gram-positive species in both groups. In normal animals, Staphylococcus intermedius (26.83%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (21.95%) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (19.51%) were the most prevalent bacteria and the identification of yeasts in the samples of this group was 38.34%. Of the 30 healthy animals studied, 46.66% showed bilateral positive culture, 26.67% had unilateral positive culture and 26.67% had negative culture.  In animals with KCS, Streptococcus ?-hemolytic (16.13%), followed by Staphylococcus intermedius (12.90%) and Staphylococcus aureus (11.83%) were the most prevalent bacteria. Yeast identification in this group occurred in 19.64% of the samples. Of the 28 animals with KCS, 82.14% showed bilateral positive culture and 17.86% unilateral positive culture.

KEYWORDS: Conjunctival flora; dog; keratoconjunctivitis sicca.