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Objective To assess normal conjunctival cytological and bacteriological/fungal flora features in the Mediterranean buffalo ( Bubalus bubalis ). Methods Swabs were taken from the inferior conjunctival sac of both eyes of 57 healthy female buffaloes aged 24–36 months, with no evidence of ocular disease, farmed in Campania region (Southern Italy), for microbiological analysis. Conjunctival eye specimens of both eyes were subsequently obtained by a cyto-brush, for cytological analysis. The antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial isolates was also determined using the disk-diffusion method on Mueller Hinton agar plates. Results Cytological examination of conjunctival swab specimens (114 eyes) revealed epithelial cells (basal, intermediate, columnar and superficial) in all samples, whereas neutrophils, lymphocytes and plasma cells were present in 70%, 10% and 2% of samples, respectively. Microorganisms, for a total of 261 aerobic bacteria and 6 fungi, were isolated from 112/114 conjunctival samples [98.25%; 95% confidence interval ( CI ): 93.18–99.70]. Only two conjunctival swabs did not yield bacteria and/or fungi (2/114, 1.75%; 95% CI : 0.30–6.82). Gram-positive aerobes were most commonly cultured (181/261, 69.35%; 95% CI : 63.31–74.81), with Enterococcus faecium and Staphylococcus lentus predominating. Escherichia coli was the most frequently isolated as Gram-negative bacteria (80/261, 30.65%; 95% CI : 25.19–36.69). The antimicrobial resistance patterns of the isolated bacteria showed amoxycillin/clavulanic acid and cephalothin as the least sensitive antibiotics for both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Conclusions These results provided first information on normal conjunctival ocular microflora and cytological features in Mediterranean buffalo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Venous catheters are extensively used in equine practice. Catheter-related infections are among the most serious complications of equine surgery. Our goal was to compare catheter contamination with and without cyanoacrylate microbial sealant and to evaluate tolerance in horses. Each horse (n = 20) had both jugular grooves clipped (T0). The areas were prepared (T1) either with povidone-iodine (B) or plus cyanoacrylate (InteguSEAL). At T0 and T1, skin swabs were taken. Both jugular veins were catheterized. After 36 hours (T2), catheters were aseptically removed and shipped for microbial culture. At T2 and after 4 weeks (T3), sites were clinically and ultrasonographically evaluated, measuring veins' wall thickness and recording any alteration. No significant differences between groups were detected in microbiological evaluation. The T3 measurements were lower than T2 in both groups. The use of InteguSEAL was not associated with a reduction catheter contamination rates. InteguSEAL use was overall well tolerated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 10-year-old, male, mixed-breed dog that developed cervical pain and neurological deficits was diagnosed with primary lymphoma of the second cervical vertebra. The cervical lesion was not surgically resectable. A dorsal cervical hemilaminectomy was performed to provide temporary decompression. The dog had complete pain relief after surgery but was euthanized 6 weeks later with recurrent clinical signs and evidence of lymphoma in the right femur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]