Conjunctival swab cytology from a guinea pig: it's elementary!

Three 3-month-old guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) were evaluated for purulent ocular discharge. Conjunctival swabs were obtained for cytologic evaluation of Wright's-Giemsa-stained preparations. The specimen from the most severely affected guinea pig consisted primarily of karyolytic neutrophils and small lymphocytes. Epithelial cells occasionally were observed that contained intracytoplasmic coccoid basophilic organisms, 0.5-1.5 microm in diameter. The intraepithelial inclusions were most consistent with Chlamydia sp elementary and reticulate bodies. Specimens from the other 2 guinea pigs had a similar inflammatory response, but organisms were not observed. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of a conjunctival swab from the most severely affected guinea pig was positive for C psittaci, which also is referred to as Chlamydophila caviae, immunotype 8, formerly known as the guinea pig inclusion conjunctivitis strain of C psittaci. Chlamydial conjunctivitis is a common problem in guinea pig populations, with C caviae being specific for this species. Cytologic identification of elementary or reticulate bodies within epithelial cells is diagnostic for the organism in Giemsa-stained preparations. However, PCR is an important complementary tool when organisms are not observed and for accurate classification of the Chlamydia species.