CORNEO-CONJUNCTIVAL MICROFLORA OF CLINICALLY NORMAL SYRIAN HAMSTERS (MESOCRICETUS AURATUS)

摘要

This study was performed to determine the normal aerobic bacterial flora of the cornea and conjunctiva in Syrian hamsters. Eleven healthy adult Syrian hamsters were used. Collection of specimens was performed using sterile micro-swab applicators. Immediately after sample collection, microbiologic aerobic culture was initiated. Fourteen eyes (63%) showed bacterial growth and a total number of 19 different species were isolated which belonged to 7 bacterial genera. Gram-positive bacteria were the most prominent with 83.3% (20/24) of isolates. Results of this study could help veterinarians in the diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of surface ocular disease in this species. Copyright 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.