Immunologically mediated ocular disease in the horse.
Abstract: The continued study of immunology and its relationship to diseases of the eye will hopefully give some insight into the pathogenic mechanisms of certain ocular diseases of many species, including the horse. It may lead to a better understanding of equine recurrent uveitis, a disease that has remained an enigma for years and that now appears to be an immunologic hypersensitivity response to a number of varied antigens. The precise mechanism of the inflammation is still unclear, and the immunologic response may be variable or mixed depending upon the inciting antigen. Other ophthalmic diseases in the horse, such as conjunctivitis, chorioretinitis, and less well-defined entities such as superficial punctate keratitis, may also have an immunologic component in their pathogenesis. An appreciation of immunopathologic mechanisms may thus enhance the veterinarian's understanding of the pathophysiology and treatment of equine ocular disease.
Publication Date: 1984-11-01 PubMed ID: 6393544DOI: 10.1016/s0196-9846(17)30006-xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- P.H.S.
- Review
Summary
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This research investigates the link between a horse’s immune system and certain diseases affecting its eyes, aiming to provide insights into the pathological mechanisms behind such conditions, and improve veterinary understanding of their physiology and treatment measures.
Immunology and Ocular Disease
- The core of the research is dedicated to studying immunology, which is the study of the immune system and its role in prevention and recovery from disease. Specifically, it looks at how the immune system may be participating in ocular diseases, which are conditions that affect the eyes. By focusing on the potential cross-points between immunology and ocular disease, the study hopes to unravel some of the complexities behind these diseases’ mechanisms.
Focus on Equine Recurrent Uveitis
- The study gives particular attention to equine recurrent uveitis, a perplexing disease in horses that currently seems to be triggered by an excessive immune response (hyper-sensitivity) to different antigens. The exact way in which this leads to inflammation is not well defined, and the type of immune response might change based on the initial antigen that causes it.
Other Ocular Diseases in Horses
- The research also considers other eye diseases in horses like conjunctivitis, chorioretinitis, and others like superficial punctate keratitis, which may also have the immune system playing a role in their development. By examining the potential immunological components in these diseases, it helps improve understanding of the disease’s pathogenesis or the biological mechanism that leads to the diseased state.
Significance for Veterinary Practice
- By focusing on the possible relationship between the immune system and ocular diseases, the study aims to expand the understanding of the diseases’ underlying physiological mechanisms. This improved understanding is ideally expected to positively impact veterinary practices in diagnosing and treating equine ocular diseases. By understanding the immune system’s role in these diseases, a more specialized, targeted approach to treatment could be developed.
Cite This Article
APA
Hines MT.
(1984).
Immunologically mediated ocular disease in the horse.
Vet Clin North Am Large Anim Pract, 6(3), 501-512.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0196-9846(17)30006-x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Antigen-Antibody Complex
- Autoimmune Diseases / veterinary
- Eye / immunology
- Eye Diseases / immunology
- Eye Diseases / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / drug therapy
- Horse Diseases / immunology
- Horses
- Hypersensitivity / immunology
- Hypersensitivity / veterinary
- Immune System Diseases / veterinary
- Immunity, Cellular
- Onchocerciasis / immunology
- Onchocerciasis / veterinary
- Recurrence
- Uveitis / drug therapy
- Uveitis / etiology
- Uveitis / immunology
- Uveitis / veterinary
- Weil Disease / immunology
- Weil Disease / veterinary
Grant Funding
- EU0418 / PHS HHS
References
This article includes 47 references
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