Survey of conjunctival flora in dogs with clinical signs of external eye disease
Murphy, J.M.; Lavach, J.D.; Severin, G.A.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 172(1): 66-68
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1488 PMID: 624664 Document Number: 132099
Bacteria were isolated from 68% of the conjunctival sacs of 120 dogs with conjunctivitis, blepharitis, dacryocystitis, or corneal ulcerations. Coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently isolated organism (68%). Other organisms recovered from eyes were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus epidermidis (27%) beta-haemolytic Streptococcus (19%), alpha-haemolytic Streptococcus (17%), Escherichia coli (10%), Bacillus spp. (11%), and Proteus spp. (7%). It was concluded that S. aureus may appear as a primary pathogen in ocular disease. When 1 eye is clinically affected, S. aureus can be a potential invader of the normal eye.