Characterization of fungal keratitis in alpacas: 11 cases (2003–2012)
- 1 December 2013
- journal article
- Published by American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Vol. 243 (11), 1616-1622
- https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.243.11.1616
Abstract
Objective—To describe clinical, microbiological, in vivo confocal microscopic, and histopathologic features of fungal keratitis in alpacas and to estimate prevalence of the disease in a population of alpacas from the northeastern United States. Design—Retrospective case series. Animals—11 alpacas. Procedures—Medical records of alpacas evaluated by the ophthalmology service of a veterinary teaching hospital were searched to identify animals with a clinical diagnosis of fungal keratitis and positive results for fungal culture of a corneal sample between 2003 and 2012. Signalment and historical, clinical, and microbiological details were recorded. Results of cytologic, histopathologic, and in vivo confocal microscopic corneal examinations were collected when available. Results—Fungal keratitis was diagnosed in 11 of 169 (6.5%) alpacas that underwent ophthalmologic examination by the ophthalmology service during the study period. Ten of the 11 alpacas were evaluated in the summer or fall months. Corneal lesions included stromal ulcer, stromal abscess, corneal perforation, and nonulcerative keratitis. Aspergillus fumigatus and Fusarium solani were the most frequently cultured fungi. Fungi were also identified through corneal cytologic examination, histologic examination, or in vivo confocal microscopy in 9 alpacas. Historically, 2 alpacas were evaluated following external ocular trauma and 1 following corneal foreign body removal. Nine alpacas had received topical treatment with antimicrobials and 2 had antimicrobial-corticosteroid combinations administered topically prior to referral. Nine of 10 alpacas for which follow-up information was available were successfully treated, with globe and vision retention. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Fungal keratitis was a relatively common ocular disease in this population of alpacas and appeared to share several clinical features with keratomycosis in horses.Keywords
This publication has 31 references indexed in Scilit:
- Equine subepithelial keratomycosisVeterinary Ophthalmology, 2012
- Acremoniumkeratomycosis in a catVeterinary Ophthalmology, 2011
- Mycotic keratoconjunctivitis in 12‐day‐old red‐legged partridges (Alectoris rufa)Veterinary Record, 2011
- Fungal Keratitis in a Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus)Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 2009
- Clinical findings and progression of 10 cases of equine ulcerative keratomycosis (2004–2007)Equine Veterinary Education, 2009
- ADAPTATIONS OF SUBPALPEBRAL LAVAGE SYSTEMS USED FOR LLAMAS (LAMA GLAMA) AND A HARBOR SEAL (PHOCA VITULINA)Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 2007
- PrimaryAspergillusandFusariumkeratitis in a Holstein cowVeterinary Ophthalmology, 2006
- Mycotic Keratitis in a Blue-fronted Amazon Parrot (Amazona aestiva)Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery, 2000
- Rose bengal positive epithelial microerosions as a manifestation of equine keratomycosisVeterinary Ophthalmology, 2000
- Equine ulcerative keratomycosis: visual outcome and ocular survival in 39 cases (1987–1996)Equine Veterinary Journal, 1998