Survey of bacteriologic flora of conjunctiva and cornea in healthy psittacine birds.

A total of 151 eyes from healthy psittacine birds were examined by bacteriologic cultural methods. Bacterial growth was not found in 41% of eyes cultured, Staphylococcus epidermidis was found in 25%, alpha-hemolytic streptococci in 25%, Corynebacterium spp in 7%, and Staphylococcus aureus in 5%. Each of the following organisms were found in 1% of the eyes; Pasteurella spp, Actinobacillus spp, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp, Enterobacter spp, Pseudomonas spp, Proteus spp, and Bacillus spp. More than one bacterial species was found in numerous eyes. Psittacines from an import station had a greater occurrence of ocular bacterial growth than did birds from private owners. The frequency of ocular bacterial growth and types of bacteria isolated were similar to studies from dogs and cats.