Corneal Perforation Associated with Providencia rettgeri in an African Helmeted Turtle (Pelomedusa subrufa)
A 4-yr-old, male, captive-born African helmeted turtle (Pelomedusa subrufa) was presented for an ocular disorder of 3 days duration. Physical examination showed edema of all limbs and blepharedema of the left eye. Ophthalmic examination revealed severe blepharoconjunctivitis, a large melting corneal ulcer, and stromal densification that prevented evaluation of the anterior chamber. Examination of the right eye was unremarkable. Ultrasonography of the left eye revealed corneal perforation associated with severe anterior uveitis. Enucleation was performed based on the poor prognosis for the eye and the risk of septicemia. Providencia rettgeri was identified from bacterial culture. Fungal culture was negative. Histopathology of the eyeball revealed a corneal perforation associated with edema and heterophilic infiltration of the corneal stroma. Three weeks after surgery, the enucleation wound had healed. Providencia rettgeri has been reported as a rare cause of keratitis in humans. A systematic literature review showed one case of a melting corneal ulcer in an Asian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) associated with this infectious agent. This is the first report of corneal perforation associated with P. rettgeri in a reptile.Abstract
Blepharedema and corneal abscess on the left eye of an African helmeted turtle (Pelomedusa subrufa).
Ocular ultrasound of the ulcerated left eye of an African helmeted turtle (Pelomedusa subrufa). The anterior chamber is filled with diffuse hyperechoic material, and the anterior lens cortex shows hyperechogenicity (indicated by *). (1) Lens. (2) Vitreous. (3) Chorioretinal surface.
Histologic section of the left eye of an African helmeted turtle (Pelomedusa subrufa) at the corneal perforation showing fibrin with heterophils in the surrounding stroma (asterisk). The insert shows a subgross cross-section with an anteroposterior vertical axis of the eyeball with the perforation (arrow). Hematoxylin and eosin and saffron stain. Bar = 250 μm.
Axial superficial stromal corneal ulcer on the right eye of an African helmeted turtle (Pelomedusa subrufa) 1 wk after enucleation of the left eye.
