Recurrent uveitis in horses: vitreal examinations with ultrastructural detection of leptospires.
Abstract: This study documents the examination of 17 horses (both sexes, 3-18 years old) suffering from spontaneous equine recurrent uveitis (ERU). Vitreal samples obtained by pars plana vitrectomy were examined macroscopically and ultrastructurally, and in most cases also by cultural examination, by microscopic agglutination test (MAT) and by polymerase chain reaction. In 24% (4/17) of the animals, ultrastructural examination by electron microscopy revealed intact leptospiral bacteria in the vitreous. The leptospires were detected freely in the vitreous and also incorporated by a phagocyte. They were surrounded by a rim of proteinaceous material which was reduced around a phagocytosed leptospira. Ninety-four per cent (16/17) of the vitreal samples presented significant antibody levels in the MAT, mostly against leptospiral serovar Grippotyphosa. Seventy-five per cent (9/12) of bacterial culture examinations were positive for leptospira. Polymerase chain reaction was positive in all (16/16) examinations performed. Our findings support previous reports suggesting that leptospires play an important role in the pathogenesis of ERU. Interestingly, this study found leptospires after secondary and later acute episodes. A persistent leptospiral infection is therefore suggested as the cause of ERU.
Publication Date: 2007-05-26 PubMed ID: 17523963DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0442.2007.00921.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research article examined vitreous samples in horses suffering from equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) to detect leptospires. The findings suggest that recurrent infections of leptospires may be a cause of ERU.
Study Methodology
- The study involved the examination of 17 horses, aged 3 to 18 years old, from both sexes, that were suffering from spontaneous Equine Recurrent Uveitis (ERU).
- Vitreal samples from the horses were obtained through pars plana vitrectomy and were then subjected to microscopic and ultrastructural examination.
- These samples were, in most cases, also examined via cultural examination, Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT), and Polymerase Chain Reaction.
Research Findings
- Four out of the seventeen horses (24%) had leptospiral bacteria detected in the vitreous, as seen via electron microscopy.
- These leptospiral bacteria were not only found freely floating but were also seen to be phagocytosed by a phagocyte.
- There was a notable rim of proteinaceous material surrounding the bacteria which was reduced when a leptospire got phagocytosed.
- A high percentage (94%) of the vitreal samples exhibited significant antibody levels in the MAT, primarily towards leptospiral serovar Grippotyphosa.
- The bacterial culture examination yielded positive results for the presence of leptospiral bacteria in 75% of the cases.
- Every examination involving the Polymerase Chain Reaction testing was positive (100%) in identifying the presence of leptospira.
Implications of the Study
- These results support previous suggestions that leptospires play a significant role in the development of ERU in horses.
- The findings of leptospira, even after secondary episodes and later acute instances, suggest that a persistent infection by these bacteria may be at the root of ERU. This increases our understanding of its pathogenesis, and can have important implications for treatment strategies.
Cite This Article
APA
Brandes K, Wollanke B, Niedermaier G, Brem S, Gerhards H.
(2007).
Recurrent uveitis in horses: vitreal examinations with ultrastructural detection of leptospires.
J Vet Med A Physiol Pathol Clin Med, 54(5), 270-275.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0442.2007.00921.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Equine Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Muenchen, Veterinaerstr. 13, 80539 Munich, Germany. kristin_brandes@yahoo.de
MeSH Terms
- Agglutination Tests / veterinary
- Animals
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Leptospira / isolation & purification
- Leptospira / ultrastructure
- Leptospirosis / diagnosis
- Leptospirosis / surgery
- Leptospirosis / veterinary
- Male
- Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
- Recurrence
- Uveitis / diagnosis
- Uveitis / surgery
- Uveitis / veterinary
- Vitrectomy / veterinary
- Vitreous Body / microbiology
- Vitreous Body / ultrastructure
Citations
This article has been cited 13 times.- Kirmse L, Thieme K, Doherr MG, Eule JC. Evaluation of Laboratory Techniques for the Diagnosis of Leptospira-Associated Equine Recurrent Uveitis (ERU) With Focus on the Goldmann-Witmer Coefficient. Vet Ophthalmol 2026 Jan;29(1):e70132.
- Zečević I, Picardeau M, Vince S, Hađina S, Perharić M, Štritof Z, Stevanović V, Benvin I, Turk N, Lohman Janković I, Habuš J. Association between Exposure to Leptospira spp. and Abortion in Mares in Croatia. Microorganisms 2024 May 21;12(6).
- Nesse LL, Osland AM, Vestby LK. The Role of Biofilms in the Pathogenesis of Animal Bacterial Infections. Microorganisms 2023 Feb 28;11(3).
- Fingerhut L, Yücel L, Strutzberg-Minder K, von Köckritz-Blickwede M, Ohnesorge B, de Buhr N. Ex Vivo and In Vitro Analysis Identify a Detrimental Impact of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps on Eye Structures in Equine Recurrent Uveitis. Front Immunol 2022;13:830871.
- Wollanke B, Gerhards H, Ackermann K. Infectious Uveitis in Horses and New Insights in Its Leptospiral Biofilm-Related Pathogenesis. Microorganisms 2022 Feb 7;10(2).
- Ackermann K, Kenngott R, Settles M, Gerhards H, Maierl J, Wollanke B. In Vivo Biofilm Formation of Pathogenic Leptospira spp. in the Vitreous Humor of Horses with Recurrent Uveitis. Microorganisms 2021 Sep 9;9(9).
- Barfüßer C, Wiedemann C, Hoffmann ALC, Hirmer S, Deeg CA. Altered Metabolic Phenotype of Immune Cells in a Spontaneous Autoimmune Uveitis Model. Front Immunol 2021;12:601619.
- Wiedemann C, Amann B, Degroote RL, Witte T, Deeg CA. Aberrant Migratory Behavior of Immune Cells in Recurrent Autoimmune Uveitis in Horses. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020;8:101.
- Fingerhut L, Ohnesorge B, von Borstel M, Schumski A, Strutzberg-Minder K, Mörgelin M, Deeg CA, Haagsman HP, Beineke A, von Köckritz-Blickwede M, de Buhr N. Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in the Pathogenesis of Equine Recurrent Uveitis (ERU). Cells 2019 Nov 27;8(12).
- Sandmeyer LS, Bauer BS, Feng CX, Grahn BH. Equine recurrent uveitis in western Canadian prairie provinces: A retrospective study (2002-2015). Can Vet J 2017 Jul;58(7):717-722.
- Malalana F, Blundell RJ, Pinchbeck GL, Mcgowan CM. The role of Leptospira spp. in horses affected with recurrent uveitis in the UK. Equine Vet J 2017 Nov;49(6):706-709.
- Verma A, Kumar P, Babb K, Timoney JF, Stevenson B. Cross-reactivity of antibodies against leptospiral recurrent uveitis-associated proteins A and B (LruA and LruB) with eye proteins. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2010 Aug 3;4(8):e778.
- Båverud V, Gunnarsson A, Engvall EO, Franzén P, Egenvall A. Leptospira seroprevalence and associations between seropositivity, clinical disease and host factors in horses. Acta Vet Scand 2009 Mar 30;51(1):15.
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