Clinical Management of Candida Albicans Keratomycosis in a Bottlenose Dolphin

Clinical management of Candida albicans keratomycosis in a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)

Medicine

Abstract

Objective: Corneal ulceration secondary to trauma commonly affects marine mammals, often with opportunistic secondary bacterial or fungal infections. This report characterizes the combined use of auriculopalpebral and ophthalmic nerve blocks, adipose-derived stem cells, and subconjunctival injections for successful treatment of corneal trauma and infection in dolphins.

Animal studied: An 11-year-old, female bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) presented with bilateral diffuse corneal opacities, which progressed to keratomycosis caused by Candida albicans.

Procedure: Aggressive medical management was employed, including the use of subconjunctival injections of adipose-derived stem cells, plasma, topical and oral antifungals and antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory and pain medications. Anesthetic block of the auriculopalpebral and ophthalmic nerves was employed to evaluate the corneas.

Conclusion: Subconjunctival injections were employed over 52 days, followed by topical drops for 5 months. At last evaluation, there was no evidence of blepharospasm bilaterally. Only a faint superficial gray corneal opacity remained OS. A temporal paraxial corneal opacity was present OD, with receding inactive vascularization and a small amount of melanosis temporally.

Simeone, C.A., Traversi, J.P., Meegan, J.M., LeBert, Colitz, C.M.H., Jensen, E.D. 2017. Clinical management of Candida albicans keratomycosis in a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). Veterinary Opthamology. (2017): 1-7.

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