Infectious keratoconjunctivitis due to Pseudomonas stutzeri in cattle

Abstract

The aim of this clinical case was to report Pseudomonas stutzeri microorganism as a causative agent of infectious keratoconjunctivitis in cattle. In totally, 20 Holstein cattle (n=20) with keratoconjunctivitis in a herd were referred. Initially, microbiological samples were taken from the conjunctival recessus of all cases with sterile swaps for culture and antibiotic susceptibility. Following clinical examinations, the cases were classified as mild, moderate and severe according to type of eye disease. As an initial therapy, local 3% acid boric irrigation was given, perpalpebral oxytetracicline was injected and tetracycline pomade was applied before diagnosis took place. The prevalence of the disease was 12.12% in the herd and there was 9 bilateral (n=9) and 11 unilateral (n=11) eye problems. Epiphora and conjunctivitis were the clinical finding in mild cases (n=17). Photophobia, blepharospasm, chemosis, keratoconjunctivitis and ocular pain were observed in moderate cases (n=2). Anterior uveitis and associated symptoms of moderate cases was inspected in a severe case (n=1). Microbiologically, P stutzeri was identified in all cases and antibiogram result of this germ pointed out the 75% sensitivity to oxytetracycline. Initial therapy was continued as curative treatment to all cases. All cases healed; healing time for mild and moderate cases were mean 8.3 +/- 2.9 and 19.5 +/- 2.1 days, respectively. The symptoms of the anterior uveitis in the severe case were terminated at 42 days, but there was minimal lens opacity as a sequel.