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Conjunctivitis and keratoconjunctivitis associated with chlamydiae in swine
D G Rogers1, A A Andersen, A Hogg
1Veterinary Diagnostic Center, University of Nebraska, Lincoln 68583.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
|November 1, 1993
Summary
Chlamydiae were identified in swine with conjunctivitis and keratoconjunctivitis, suggesting a role in these ocular diseases. Further research is needed to confirm the specific chlamydial species involved.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Ophthalmology
- Microbiology
- Swine Diseases
Background:
- Conjunctivitis and keratoconjunctivitis are significant ocular conditions in swine.
- High prevalence of these conditions was observed in two confined swine herds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential role of chlamydiae in swine conjunctivitis and keratoconjunctivitis.
- To characterize the histopathological and ultrastructural findings associated with these ocular diseases in pigs.
Main Methods:
- Necropsies were performed on affected pigs and a sow.
- Histopathological examination of conjunctival and corneal tissues.
- Ultrastructural analysis of conjunctival specimens to identify microorganisms.
- Bacteriological isolation attempts for chlamydiae.
Main Results:
- Histopathology revealed lymphoplasmacytic conjunctivitis and lymphofollicular hyperplasia in pigs, and ulcerative keratitis with neovascularization in a sow.
- Ultrastructural examination detected chlamydiae within intracytoplasmic vacuoles containing glycogen in conjunctival cells of both pigs and the sow.
- The specific identity of the isolated chlamydiae remains unknown, though Chlamydia trachomatis is a possibility.
- Mycoplasmal coinfection could not be ruled out based on ultrastructural findings.
- Cytomegalic inclusion virus rhinitis was also noted in several pigs.
Conclusions:
- Chlamydiae are implicated as a potential causative agent, at least partially, in swine conjunctivitis and keratoconjunctivitis.
- Further studies are required to definitively identify the chlamydial species and elucidate their pathogenic mechanisms in swine.
- Ocular disease in these swine may involve multiple infectious agents, including chlamydiae and potentially mycoplasmas or cytomegalic inclusion virus.