Determinação de valores de referência para os testes oftálmicos de rotina em macacos-prego (Sapajus libidinosus)

Abstract

Notwithstanding its broad geographic distribution and the large number of specimens held in captivity, basic studies on the ocular physiology of capuchin monkeys of the Sapajus libidinosus species are still incipient. In face of this, our aim was to establish baseline values for eye measurements and selected tests for ophthalmic diagnosis, and to perform a descriptive analysis of the microbiota and cellularity of the conjunctive of that species. Fifteen (15) capuchin monkeys of the Sapajus libidinosus species, hosted at the CETAS of Cabedelo, Paraiba, were selected and used. All animals were previously sedated with ketamine and detomidine via intramuscular injection for collecting samples and performing the ophthalmic diagnosis tests, including: Schirmer tear test 1 (STT1), applanation tonometry, B-mode ultrasound, culture of the aerobic bacterial conjunctival microbiota, and exfoliative conjunctival cytology. The average values found for ophthalmic tests and eye measurements were: 2.50 ± 2.94 mm/min. for the STT1; 13.3 ± 3.32 mmHg for the IOP; 2.47 ± 0.41 mm for the depth of the anterior chamber; 2.86 ± 0.96 mm for the axial length of the lens; 10.97 ± 0.48 mm for the depth of the vitreous chamber, and 16.32 ± 1.24 mm for the axial length of the eyeball. The intraocular pressure decreased linearly as the weight increased (P = 0.0004) and the average depth of the anterior chamber was larger in the male subjects (P = 0.0004). The bacterial genus most frequently found was Staphylococcus spp., (11 eyes), followed by Enterecoccus (8 eyes), Escherichia coli (7 eyes), Bacillus sp. (4 eyes), and Streptococcus sp. (3 eyes). The conjunctival cytology showed intermediate epithelial cells, squamous superficial epithelial cells, keratinized cells, red blood cells, lymphocytes, neutrophils, and bacteria. The data description and the determination of baseline values for eye measurements and ophthalmic tests obtained in this research will assist the diagnosis of eye diseases in capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus).