Topical blood products modulate the effects of ophthalmic antibiotics against common bacterial pathogens in dogs with infectious keratitis.

Bacterial keratitis is a common and serious condition that often leads to vision impairment and potential loss of the eye if not treated promptly and adequately. Topical blood products are often used concurrently with topical antibiotics, helping to mitigate corneal 'melt' from proteases released on the ocular surface. However, blood products are rich in albumin and could affect the efficacy of antibiotics due to drug-protein binding.

Albumin in Tears Modulates Bacterial Susceptibility to Topical Antibiotics in Ophthalmology.

Bacterial keratitis is a serious and vision-threatening condition in veterinary and human patients, one that often requires culture and susceptibility testing to adjust therapy and improve clinical outcomes. The present study challenges the antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) paradigm in ophthalmology, enabling more accurate -to- translation by incorporating factors normally present during host-pathogen interactions in clinical patients. Thirty bacteria (10 , 10 , 10 ) were isolated from canine patients with infectious keratitis.

Bacterial Cross-Contamination in a Veterinary Ophthalmology Setting.

The present study describes the prevalence of bacterial cross-contamination in a veterinary ophthalmology setting, a serious issue that can result in healthcare-associated (or nosocomial) infections among patients and staff. Retrospective ( = 5 patients) and prospective ( = 23 patients) studies evaluated bacterial isolates in companion animals presenting with ulcerative keratitis, sampling the patients' cornea and surrounding examination room, including the environment (exam table, countertop, floor) and ophthalmic equipment (slit lamp, transilluminator, direct ophthalmoscope, indirect headset, tonometer). Results of bacterial culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing were recorded, and degree of genetic relatedness was evaluated in six pairs of isolates (cornea + environment or equipment) using pulse-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).

Prevalence and Antibiotic Susceptibility of Bacterial Isolates From Dogs With Ulcerative Keratitis in Midwestern United States.

The objective of this study was to describe bacterial culture and antibiotic susceptibility results in 476 dogs presenting with suspected bacterial keratitis in Iowa and surrounding Midwestern states, further detailing trends in patient characteristics, seasonality, and antimicrobial resistance. Corneal swabs yielded 465 bacterial isolates and 220 cultures (46.2%) with no apparent growth (0-5 isolates per culture).