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Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)2015; 206(1); 22-29; doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2015.06.017

Equine recurrent uveitis: Human and equine perspectives.

Abstract: Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) is a spontaneous disease characterised by repeated episodes of intraocular inflammation. The epidemiology of ERU has not been fully elucidated, but the condition appears to be much more common in horses than is recurrent uveitis in humans, especially in certain breeds and geographical regions. Both humans and horses show a similarly altered immune response and a marked autoimmune response as the primary disease pathophysiology. However, an inciting cause is not always clear. Potential inciting factors in horses include microbial agents such as Leptospira spp. Microbial factors and genetic predisposition to the disease may provide clues as to why the horse appears so susceptible to this disease. The aim of this review is to discuss the immunology and genetics of ERU, compare the disease in horses with autoimmune anterior uveitis in humans, and discuss potential reasons for the increased prevalence in the horse.
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2015-07-03 PubMed ID: 26188862DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2015.06.017Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 paper discusses equine recurrent uveitis (ERU), a common disease in horses characterised by recurrent episodes of intraocular inflammation. The study explores the immunology and genetics of ERU, compares the disease in horses with autoimmune anterior uveitis in humans, and explores potential reasons for the disease’s higher prevalence in horses.

Disease Characterisation and Prevalence

  • Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) is a disease that primarily affects horses. It is characterised by repeated occurrences of inflammation in the inner part of the eye, specifically the intraocular region.
  • This condition appears to be significantly more common in horses than its counterpart in humans – recurrent uveitis. There are also notable disparities in prevalence among different breeds and geographical regions in the horse population.
  • Despite the prevalence of ERU, the exact epidemiological values haven’t been completely understood, which suggests more research in this area.

Immunological and Genetic Predisposition

  • The immune response in both humans and horses suffering from uveitis is altered. The primary pathophysiology or disease development is marked by a distinct autoimmune response where the body’s immune system attacks its own cells.
  • The research also explores potential inciting factors such as microbial agents. In particular, microorganisms like Leptospira spp may play a significant role in triggering the disease in horses.
  • Additionally, genetic factors may also play a role. Horses may have a higher genetic predisposition to ERU compared to humans, and this high susceptibility to the disease in horses may stem from a combination of their genetic makeup and microbial factors.

Comparison with Human Autoimmune Anterior Uveitis and Increased Prevalence in Horses

  • This research aims to compare ERU in horses with autoimmune anterior uveitis in humans. The latter is a subtype of uveitis marked by inflammation at the front parts of the eye.
  • In the comparison, various similarities and differences between the two conditions are highlighted and discussed, providing insights into the disease’s pathophysiology.
  • Moreover, potential reasons for the high prevalence of the disease in horses compared to humans are also discussed. The research hopes that the focus on these aspects will shed light on why horses are more susceptible to this disease.

Cite This Article

APA
Malalana F, Stylianides A, McGowan C. (2015). Equine recurrent uveitis: Human and equine perspectives. Vet J, 206(1), 22-29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2015.06.017

Publication

Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
ISSN: 1532-2971
NlmUniqueID: 9706281
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 206
Issue: 1
Pages: 22-29

Researcher Affiliations

Malalana, Fernando
  • The Philip Leverhulme Equine Hospital, The University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, Wirral, CH64 7TE, UK. Electronic address: f.malalana@liverpool.ac.uk.
Stylianides, Amira
  • St. Paul's Eye Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Prescot Street, Liverpool, L7 8XP, UK.
McGowan, Catherine
  • Department of Musculoskeletal Biology, Institute of Ageing and Chronic disease, The University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, Wirral, CH64 7TE, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Autoimmune Diseases / etiology
  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology
  • Autoimmune Diseases / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / etiology
  • Horse Diseases / immunology
  • Horse Diseases / pathology
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Risk Factors
  • Uveitis / immunology
  • Uveitis / pathology
  • Uveitis / veterinary

Citations

This article has been cited 24 times.
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