DISCUSSION
In contrast to other animal models requiring experimental
infection induction,24–26 the dogs of this report are a naturallyoccurring
P. aeruginosa ulcerative keratitis model. This largeanimal
model of infection, occurring without experimental
corneal wounding or bacterial inoculation, may more closely
replicate conditions in natural human P. aeruginosa ulcerative
keratitis. P. aeruginosa corneal infections occur spontaneously,
subsequent to compromise of anatomic or immunologic
corneal protective barriers, with a high frequency in dogs and
produce clinical lesions similar to those observed in humans.
27–29