Acute Opthalmitis in poultry: etiological and control studies

Acute opthalmitis leading to blindness in all the age groups of different poultry breeds in Andaman was investigated. Out of20 eye swabscu1tured on Nutrient and MacConkey agar, 27 isolates comprising Gram (−)ve rods (10), Gram (+)ve coc:ci (13) and Gram (+)ve rods (4) were found. All the Gram (+)ve cocci were β-haemolytic and coagulase positive Staphylococ:ci and Gram (−)ve isolates were E. coli. In pathogenicity test, Staphylococ:ci and E. coli isolates failed to produce the ocular lesions when separately inoculated by intra-conjunctival route in chicks and growers. In antibiotic sensitivity test, sensitive to ciproOoxacin, aentamycin and chlortetracycline and resistance against bacitracin and triple sulphas was observed. Good response to the treatment was observed with incorporation of cephalexin antibiotic and Vit. A in the feed along with application of CiproOoxacin eye drops for five days.