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Journal of clinical microbiology2000; 38(7); 2731-2733; doi: 10.1128/JCM.38.7.2731-2733.2000

Detection of Leptospira spp. in the aqueous humor of horses with naturally acquired recurrent uveitis.

Abstract: Leptospiral organisms have long been presumed to be associated with the presence of equine recurrent uveitis. This project was undertaken to determine the presence of Leptospira spp. in the aqueous humor of horses with uveitis to determine if there was an association with inflammation. Thirty horses were determined to have recurrent uveitis based on clinical evaluation or history. Sixteen horses were judged clinically and historically to be free of uveitis and were used as controls. Aqueous humor samples were cultured and evaluated by PCR for the presence of Leptospira DNA. Serum was collected and evaluated for the presence of antibodies against five serovars in a leptospirosis panel. Twenty-one of 30 horses with recurrent uveitis and one of 16 uveitis-free horses were positive by PCR for the presence of Leptospira DNA. Six of these 21 horses with uveitis were culture positive for leptospires from the aqueous humor. Serologic results did not correlate well with the presence of Leptospira DNA or organisms in the aqueous humor. Leptospira spp. are present in a high percentage of horses with naturally occurring recurrent uveitis.
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Publication Date: 2000-07-06 PubMed ID: 10878072PubMed Central: PMC87011DOI: 10.1128/JCM.38.7.2731-2733.2000Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research project aims to establish a link between the presence of a certain bacteria (Leptospira) in horses’ eye fluid and the painful eye inflammation condition known as recurrent uveitis. The study found that this bacteria was indeed present in a significant percentage of horses suffering from this eye condition.

Research Objective and Methodology

The primary aim of this investigation was to determine whether there is a connection between the bacteria Leptospira and recurrent uveitis, a repeating inflammatory condition of the horses’ eyes. To this end, the researchers carried out a thorough examination of 30 horses clinically identified as having recurrent uveitis. They also studied 16 horses that had shown no signs of the affliction, who functioned as control subjects during the research process. The main techniques adopted in this investigation were the removal and examination of the aqueous humor (the clear fluid in the front of the eye) and carrying out a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test to verify the existence of Leptospira DNA in the fluid.

Findings and Observations

  1. PCR tests revealed the presence of Leptospira DNA in 21 out of the 30 horses diagnosed with uveitis. Only one out of the 16 control horses tested positive.
  2. Further analyses verified that six of the twenty-one affected horses had leptospires (the bacteria) in their eye fluid.
  3. Serological tests were performed to detect antibodies against five serovars (varieties) of leptospirosis. However, the results did not match well with the presence of the bacteria or their DNA in the horses’ eyes.

Conclusions

This investigation’s finding demonstrated that Leptospira spp. are found in a high ratio of horses suffering from naturally occurring recurrent uveitis. However, the serologic results were not parallel to the existence of Leptospira DNA or the bacteria in the eye fluid, suggesting that the bacteria’s presence in the eye does not necessarily stimulate an antibody response measurable in blood serum. Therefore, while there seems to be a connection between the bacteria and the eye condition, the mechanism of how the bacteria contribute to the disease needs additional exploration.

Cite This Article

APA
Faber NA, Crawford M, LeFebvre RB, Buyukmihci NC, Madigan JE, Willits NH. (2000). Detection of Leptospira spp. in the aqueous humor of horses with naturally acquired recurrent uveitis. J Clin Microbiol, 38(7), 2731-2733. https://doi.org/10.1128/JCM.38.7.2731-2733.2000

Publication

Journal of clinical microbiology
ISSN: 0095-1137
NlmUniqueID: 7505564
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 38
Issue: 7
Pages: 2731-2733

Researcher Affiliations

Faber, N A
  • Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, University of California-Davis, Davis, California 95616, USA. rblefebvre@ucdavis.edu
Crawford, M
    LeFebvre, R B
      Buyukmihci, N C
        Madigan, J E
          Willits, N H

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
            • Aqueous Humor / microbiology
            • Culture Media
            • DNA, Viral / analysis
            • Horse Diseases / microbiology
            • Horses
            • Leptospira / genetics
            • Leptospira / immunology
            • Leptospira / isolation & purification
            • Leptospirosis / microbiology
            • Leptospirosis / veterinary
            • Polymerase Chain Reaction
            • Recurrence
            • Uveitis / microbiology
            • Uveitis / veterinary

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