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Equine veterinary journal. Supplement2010; (37); 50-56; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.tb05635.x

Equine recurrent uveitis: the European viewpoint.

Abstract: Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) has always been and still is an important disease with a significant impact on the horse industry in Europe, with a prevalence of 8-10%. The need to understand and manage the disease has spurred the development of veterinary ophthalmology in general, although the aetiology of the disease remains the subject of intense discussion. It is most probably an autoimmune disease triggered, at least in Europe, in the majority of cases by Leptospira spp. The therapy of ERU has evolved over the centuries from various methods of bloodletting to rational medical therapy using mydriatics and steroidal and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, to surgical therapies, such as vitrectomy or implantation of cyclosporin-releasing devices. In Europe, pars plana vitrectomy in horses testing positive for Leptospira spp. appears to be the most successful form of therapy at the present time.
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Publication Date: 2010-10-14 PubMed ID: 20939167DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.tb05635.xGoogle 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 focuses on Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU), a prevalent disease impacting the horse industry in Europe, believed to be primarily triggered by Leptospira spp. The study elaborates on the various therapeutic strategies used to manage ERU, with Pars plana vitrectomy seemingly the most effective for horses testing positive for Leptospira spp.

Understanding Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU)

  • ERU is a key disease that significantly impacts the horse industry in Europe. The prevalence of ERU is quite high, estimated to be between 8-10%.
  • The disease’s exact cause is still under intense debate. Current understanding points towards ERU being an autoimmune condition. In Europe, a majority of ERU cases are triggered by an organism called Leptospira spp.

Proliferation of Veterinary Ophthalmology

  • The imperative to effectively diagnose, manage, and treat ERU has spurred the growth of veterinary ophthalmology, although the mystery around its exact aetiology still persists. The disease’s unpredictable and recurring nature makes it a complex problem in veterinary medicine.
  • ERU presumably kick starts an autoimmune response that involves the eye. This misguided immune response damages the ocular tissue, causing inflammation and, in severe cases, leading to blindness.

Progression of ERU Treatment

  • Over the centuries, the therapeutic strategy for managing ERU has evolved drastically. Initial practices involved methods of bloodletting, a now largely debunked and abandoned practice in modern medicine.
  • With medical advancements, the treatment shifted towards rational medical therapy using mydriatics, steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Surgical Therapies

  • Over time, surgical therapies have also been developed and adopted. These include vitrectomy, a surgical procedure to remove the vitreous humor from the eye, and implantation of cyclosporin-releasing devices which help suppress the immune response.
  • As of now, Pars plana vitrectomy, a specific type of vitrectomy, is the most successful form of therapy for horses testing positive for Leptospira spp. in Europe.

Cite This Article

APA
Spiess BM. (2010). Equine recurrent uveitis: the European viewpoint. Equine Vet J Suppl(37), 50-56. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.tb05635.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal. Supplement
NlmUniqueID: 9614088
Country: United States
Language: English
Issue: 37
Pages: 50-56

Researcher Affiliations

Spiess, B M
  • Veterinary Ophthalmology Service, Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Europe / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / pathology
  • Horse Diseases / therapy
  • Horses
  • Recurrence
  • Uveitis / epidemiology
  • Uveitis / pathology
  • Uveitis / therapy
  • Uveitis / veterinary

Citations

This article has been cited 18 times.
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