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Veterinary ophthalmology2017; 21(1); 66-75; doi: 10.1111/vop.12480

Septic keratitis in dogs, cats, and horses in Switzerland: associated bacteria and antibiotic susceptibility.

Abstract: To evaluate the most common bacterial pathogens associated with septic keratitis in veterinary patients from Switzerland. The second objective was to analyze antibiotic susceptibility test results of the identified bacterial pathogens. The third objective was to evaluate potential breed predispositions to septic keratitis. Methods: Two hundred and fifty-five cultures and antibiotic susceptibility reports from dogs, cats, and horses with septic keratitis that were presented to the University of Zurich Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital between 2009 and 2013 were reviewed. Odds ratios for the risk of having a septic keratitis were estimated for all dog and cat breeds compared to the general nonbrachycephalic hospital population. Results: Ninety-six, 29, and 31 positive cultures were obtained from 89 canine, 28 feline, and 29 equine eyes, respectively. Repeat sampling accounted for the differences in numbers. Negative culture results were obtained in 50, 31, and 18 cases. Staphylococci and streptococci accounted for 66% of the isolates in dogs and 80% of the isolates in cats and horses. Staphylococcus spp. had a higher percentage of fluoroquinolone-resistant isolates compared to previous reports. Brachycephalic breeds had elevated odds ratios for the presence of septic keratitis. Conclusions: Identified bacterial pathogens and their prevalence as well as the elevated odds ratios for septic keratitis in brachycephalics are roughly consistent with previous studies. Based on systemic breakpoint data, resistance to commonly used topical antibiotics, including the second-generation fluoroquinolones, was found.
© 2017 American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.
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Publication Date: 2017-05-29 PubMed ID: 28557367DOI: 10.1111/vop.12480Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The study examined the types of bacteria commonly associated with septic keratitis (an infection of the cornea) in dogs, cats and horses in Switzerland. The researchers also studied how these bacteria responded to antibiotics and the breed predispositions to septic keratitis.

Study Method

The researchers analyzed 255 cultures and reports of antibiotic resistance in animals with septic keratitis who were treated at the University of Zurich Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital between 2009 and 2013.

  • The analysis involved determining the odds ratios of having septic keratitis for all dog and cat breeds compared to the nonbrachycephalic (non-flat-faced) populations in the hospital.
  • This allowed the researchers to identify potential breed predispositions to septic keratitis.

Results

  • The researchers obtained positive cultures from the eyes of 89 dogs, 28 cats, and 29 horses. The number of positive cultures was higher than the number of animals due to repeat sampling. Negative culture results were obtained in several cases too.
  • It was found that Staphylococci and Streptococci were the main bacteria causing septic keratitis. These bacteria accounted for 66% of the isolates in dogs and 80% of the isolates in cats and horses.
  • Staphylococcus species were revealed to be more resistant to fluoroquinolones (a type of antibiotic) compared to previous reports.
  • Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds were found to have an elevated risk of developing septic keratitis.

Conclusions

The study concluded that the bacteria most commonly associated with septic keratitis, and their prevalence, are consistent with previous reports. Moreover, flat-faced breeds were found to have a higher risk of the condition. Worryingly, the study also found resistance to commonly used topical antibiotics, including second-generation fluoroquinolones.

  • These findings suggest the need to keep monitoring bacterial resistance continuously to keep treatment strategies updated according to new data.

Cite This Article

APA
Suter A, Voelter K, Hartnack S, Spiess BM, Pot SA. (2017). Septic keratitis in dogs, cats, and horses in Switzerland: associated bacteria and antibiotic susceptibility. Vet Ophthalmol, 21(1), 66-75. https://doi.org/10.1111/vop.12480

Publication

Veterinary ophthalmology
ISSN: 1463-5224
NlmUniqueID: 100887377
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 21
Issue: 1
Pages: 66-75

Researcher Affiliations

Suter, Anja
  • Division of Ophthalmology, Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Voelter, Katrin
  • Division of Ophthalmology, Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Hartnack, Sonja
  • Division of Epidemiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Spiess, Bernhard Martin
  • Division of Ophthalmology, Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Pot, Simon Anton
  • Division of Ophthalmology, Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cat Diseases / drug therapy
  • Cat Diseases / microbiology
  • Cats
  • Dog Diseases / drug therapy
  • Dog Diseases / microbiology
  • Dogs
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial
  • Female
  • Fluoroquinolones / pharmacology
  • Fluoroquinolones / therapeutic use
  • Horse Diseases / drug therapy
  • Horse Diseases / microbiology
  • Horses
  • Keratitis / drug therapy
  • Keratitis / microbiology
  • Keratitis / veterinary
  • Male
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Pedigree
  • Staphylococcus / drug effects
  • Staphylococcus / isolation & purification
  • Streptococcus / drug effects
  • Streptococcus / isolation & purification
  • Switzerland

Citations

This article has been cited 22 times.
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