Eosinophilic keratoconjunctivitis in a horse.
Abstract: An 11-year-old Quarter Horse gelding was evaluated because of a persistent, raised band of 1- to 2-mm subepithelial plaques of the left cornea. Cytologic examination of corneal scrapings revealed numerous eosinophils and segmented neutrophils, with few mast cells, plasma cells, and lymphocytes. Bacteriologic culture yielded sparse growth of alpha-hemolytic Streptococcus and Staphylococcus spp. Histologically, the plaques consisted of subepithelial foci of fragmented and degenerated collagen fibers infiltrated by eosinophils and neutrophils, with few lymphocytes, plasma cells, and macrophages. Plaques were surrounded by a layer of brightly eosinophilic, acellular, granular material. Distribution of inflammatory cells in the conjunctiva was similar to cells in the cornea. After reepithelialization of the cornea, corticosteroid ointment was administered topically. Twenty-eight days after treatment with corticosteroids, the plaques had completely resolved. Histologic and cytologic diagnoses in this horse were similar to reports of eosinophilic keratitis in cats.
Publication Date: 1994-11-01 PubMed ID: 7698943
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- Case Reports
- Journal Article
Summary
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This study examines a case of eosinophilic keratoconjunctivitis, an inflammatory eye disease, in a horse. The horse was treated topically with a corticosteroid ointment, and the symptoms resolved within a month.
Case Background
- The subject of the study was an 11-year-old Quarter Horse gelding, who was examined due to a persistent condition of the left cornea. The cornea showed raised bands of plaques measuring 1 to 2 millimeters in subepithelial regions.
Diagnostic Examination
- Corneal scrapings were cytologically examined, revealing the presence of a significant number of eosinophils and segmented neutrophils. Few mast cells, plasma cells, and lymphocytes were also observed.
- A bacteriologic culture was conducted, which revealed limited growth of alpha-hemolytic Streptococcus and Staphylococcus species.
- A histological examination showed that the plaques consisted of foci of fragmented and degenerated collagen fibers in the subepithelial regions. These were infiltrated by eosinophils and neutrophils. There were also a few lymphocytes, plasma cells, and macrophages.
- The plaques were encapsulated by a layer of brightly eosinophilic, acellular, granular material.
Treatment and Outcome
- The distribution of inflammatory cells in the conjunctiva was similar to cells in the cornea.
- Following the reepithelialization of the cornea, a corticosteroid ointment was administered topically.
- After 28 days of corticosteroid treatment, the plaques were completely resolved.
Conclusions
- The histologic and cytologic diagnoses for the horse showed similarities to previous reports of eosinophilic keratitis in cats.
Cite This Article
APA
Ramsey DT, Whiteley HE, Gerding PA, Valdez RA.
(1994).
Eosinophilic keratoconjunctivitis in a horse.
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 205(9), 1308-1311.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cornea / pathology
- Cornea / surgery
- Eosinophilia / pathology
- Eosinophilia / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Keratoconjunctivitis / pathology
- Keratoconjunctivitis / veterinary
- Male
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Knickelbein KE, Luethy D, Thomasy SM, Reilly C, Strom AR, Lassaline ME. Equine eosinophilic keratoconjunctivitis in California: retrospective study of 47 eyes from 29 cases (1993-2017).. Vet Ophthalmol 2019 Jul;22(4):510-519.
- Edwards S, Clode AB, Gilger BC. Equine eosinophilic keratitis in horses: 28 cases (2003-2013).. Clin Case Rep 2015 Dec;3(12):1000-6.
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