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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / The prevalence of uveitis in a population of donkeys in the ...
Equine veterinary journal2020; 52(6); 863-867; doi: 10.1111/evj.13257

The prevalence of uveitis in a population of donkeys in the UK.

Abstract: Uveitis is reported to be a leading cause of blindness in horses. Little work has been undertaken to date to investigate whether donkeys are affected by a similar disease prevalence. Objective: To investigate the disease prevalence of uveitis in a population of donkeys in the UK. Methods: Descriptive observational study. Methods: An ophthalmic examination was performed on each donkey, in a darkened stable. Each donkey underwent slit lamp biomicroscopy, and direct and/or indirect ophthalmoscopy. Fluorescein staining, STT1 and IOPs were measured when deemed clinically necessary. Pharmacological pupillary dilation was achieved using 1% tropicamide. Results: A total of 207 donkeys were examined: 139 males (67.1%) and 68 females (32.9%). Age range was 2-37 years (median: 17 years, interquartile range: 9-25 years). Three donkeys (1.5%) were blind in one eye, and one was monocular at the time of examination. Signs consistent with either previous or current uveitis were identified in eight eyes of six animals (2.9%). Clinical signs included are as follows: miosis (n = 1), corpora nigra atrophy (n = 6), anterior lens capsule pigment (n = 2), cataract (n = 8), posterior synechiae (n = 3), lens subluxation (n = 1), vitreal changes (n = 2), peripapillary scarring (n = 3) and phthisis bulbi (n = 1). Significant ocular pathology precluded fundic examination in three eyes. Three out of eight eyes (37.5%) were blinded by the pathology. The risk of uveitis was found to increase with age (OR 1.1, CI: 1.01-1.25) on univariable analysis (P = .046.). Conclusions: Fluorescein staining, tonometry and Schirmer tear test measurements were not performed on all donkeys. Conclusions: The disease prevalence reported here is comparable to that reported for horses in the UK. Larger prospective studies are necessary to determine whether there is a similar trend in disease prevalence in the donkey population worldwide. In addition, further investigations should aim to establish whether uveitis in donkeys is similar to the ERU syndrome seen in horses.
© 2020 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2020-04-13 PubMed ID: 32145036DOI: 10.1111/evj.13257Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Observational Study
  • Veterinary

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 study investigates the prevalence of uveitis, a common cause of blindness in horses, in a population of donkeys in the UK, with the findings indicating that its prevalence in donkeys is similar to that in horses.

Research Method

  • The researchers performed an ophthalmic examination on each donkey, totaling 207 individuals, within a darkened stable to ensure optimal conditions for the ocular investigation.
  • Every donkey was subjected to slit lamp biomicroscopy, with either direct or indirect ophthalmoscopy.
  • Additional diagnostic procedures such as fluorescein staining, Schirmer tear test 1 (STT1), and intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements were conducted when deemed necessary based on the initial assessments.
  • The researchers induced pupillary dilation chemically through the use of 1% tropicamide, a drug often used in eye examinations to allow a better view of the interior part of the eye.

Results

  • The sample of donkeys included 139 males (67.1%) and 68 females (32.9%) ranging in age from 2 to 37 years. The median age was 17 years.
  • Of the total, three donkeys (1.5%) were blind in one eye, with one donkey being monocular – having only one functional eye – at the time of examination.
  • The researchers found signs of either previous or current uveitis in eight eyes of six different animals, which represents a 2.9% incidence.
  • These signs included miosis, corpora nigra atrophy, anterior lens capsule pigment, cataract, posterior synechiae, lens subluxation, vitreal changes, peripapillary scarring, and phthisis bulbi.
  • Ocular pathological conditions obstructed a proper fundic examination in three eyes, with these pathology-induced conditions causing blindness in three out of eight eyes (37.5%).

Conclusion

  • Not all diagnostic tests (fluorescein staining, tonometry, and Schirmer tear test measurements) were performed on all participating donkeys due to specific needs per case.
  • The observed prevalence of uveitis in donkeys in this study is comparable to the rates found in horses in the UK, an unexpected find considering the different species.
  • The study suggests that larger prospective studies are necessary to determine if this finding can be interpreted as a widespread tendency in the global donkey population.
  • Additional investigations are necessary to determine if the occurrence and characteristics of uveitis in donkeys are similar to the Equine Recurrent Uveitis (ERU) found in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Bradley C, Grundon R, Sansom PG. (2020). The prevalence of uveitis in a population of donkeys in the UK. Equine Vet J, 52(6), 863-867. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13257

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 52
Issue: 6
Pages: 863-867

Researcher Affiliations

Bradley, Claire
  • Plymouth Veterinary Group, Plymouth, Devon, UK.
Grundon, Rachael
  • Eye Veterinary Clinic Ltd, Marlbrook, Leominster, Herefordshire, UK.
Sansom, Philip G
  • Department of Mathematics, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Equidae
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Prospective Studies
  • United Kingdom / epidemiology
  • Uveitis / veterinary

Grant Funding

  • British Association of Veterinary Ophthalmology

References

This article includes 19 references
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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Gerras J, Young K, Roberts D, Waldman G, Salmon JH, Gilger BC. Uveitis and blindness in a closed herd of Equidae following leptospiral infection. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1504990.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1504990pubmed: 39834922google scholar: lookup
  2. Ibrahim A, Abd-Elrasoul MAA, Sabra MS. Impact of pH modification of the empirically used tobramycin ophthalmic solution on MIC90 concentration in tears and aqueous humor of donkeys (Equus asinus). BMC Vet Res 2024 May 23;20(1):218.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-024-04072-1pubmed: 38778405google scholar: lookup
  3. Wafy MN, Hassan EA, Ahmed KA, Aboelmaaty AM, Abu-Seida AM. Ultrasonographic and histopathologic features associated with common ocular diseases in donkeys (Equus asinus). Vet Res Commun 2023 Sep;47(3):1479-1491.
    doi: 10.1007/s11259-023-10102-4pubmed: 36941479google scholar: lookup
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