Aeromonas Hydrophila Keratitis in Freshwater Turtles

Two privately owned semiaquatic freshwater turtles, 1 Chinese striped-neck turtle (Ocadia sinensis) and 1 Chinese box turtle (Cuora flavomarginata), presented with unilateral, white, corneal opacities consistent with keratitis. Under sedation the corneal lesions were debrided and samples were collected for cytology and bacterial culture. Cytology of the corneal lesions in both cases were similar, showing a monomorphic population of large Gram-negative rods. Aerobic bacterial culture revealed pure and heavy growth of Aeromonas hydrophila in both turtles. In both cases treatment was successful and consisted of corneal debridement followed by topical treatment with antimicrobial drugs. Antibioitic selection was based on susceptibility testing and resolved the corneal lesions with no reoccurrence of the condition reported. Primary keratitis has been rarely described in reptiles, with no apparent publications identifying A. hydrophila as a primary pathogen associated with keratitis in reptiles. In humans, A. hydrophila has been identified in several cases of keratitis, usually following a traumatic event within an aquatic environment.