Comparison of ocular microflora in New Zealand white, Angora and Dutch Rabbits

Subject Areas : Journal of Comparative Pathobiology

SM Rajaei, ¹ ( Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Specialized Veterinary Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran )
سیامک Mashhadi Rafie, ² ( گروه علوم درمانگاهی- دانشکده دامپزشکی دانشگاه ازاد اسلامی واحد علوم و تخقیقات تهران-ایران )
مسعود Selk Ghaffari, ³ ( Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Alborz, Iran )
M.N Masouleh, ⁴ ( Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Specialized Veterinary Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran )
محمود Jamshidian, ⁵ ( Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Specialized Veterinary Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran )

Received: 2019-06-10 Accepted : 2019-06-10 Published : 2019-05-22

Keywords: Microbiology, Rabbit, New Zealand, Angora, Dutch,

Abstract :

One of the important ocular tests in case of ophthalmic infection and corneal ulcer is microbial culture. In the present study ocular microflora of Newzealand white, angora, and Dutch rabbits were evaluated. 96 rabbits from three different breeds (32 of each breed) were studied. All animals enrolled in the study after complete physical and ophthalmic examination. Ophthalmic examination was including slit lamp biomicroscopy, ophthalmoscopy, measurement of intraocular pressure, measurement of tear production, corneal dye with fluorescein. For microbiologic evaluation, sterile swabs were used for sampling from the cornea and lower conjunctival fornix. The culture was initiated immediately after sampling. After 48 hours of incubation, the growth of bacteria was observed, and then differential and biochemistry tests were performed. Results of microbiological culture revealed the difference in bacteria species, especially in gram-negative ones. More eyes with positive bacterial culture were observed in Dutch rabbits. No significant differences were reported in gram-positive bacteria population. Common isolated ocular microflora of rabbits is gram-positive. Clinical significant differences in isolated bacteria and species were observed.

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