Evaluation of bacteria isolated from infected eyes of captive, non-domestic animals

Bacteria isolated from the eyes of captive species with suspected ocular infections at London Zoo were identified by standard methods. The sensitivity of the organisms to several topical antibiotics was determined by using sensitivity discs, and the minimum inhibitory concentrations of chloramphenicol and fusidic acid were determined. Correlations were evaluated between the results from the antibiotic discs and the minimum inhibitory concentrations and, where possible, between the clinical response to treatment and the results of bacteriological sensitivity tests. Unlike the isolates found in cats and dogs gram-positive cocci accounted for 54 per cent of isolates but almost half of the bacteria isolated were gram-negative organisms.