A retrospective study of the occurrence of Chronic Superficial Keratitis in 308 German Shepherd dogs: 1999-2010

Abstract

Chronic Superficial Keratitis (CSK) is an autoimmune mediated inflammation of the cornea, that is usually bilateral but often with nonsymmetrical manifestation.The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence and appearance of clinical symptoms of CSK in German Shepherd dogs in Poland and Slovakia.CSK was diagnosed in 308 German Shepherds for a period of 11 years (from 1999 to 2010). The highest incidence of the CSK (p < 0.001) in Slovakia and in Poland was in dogs between the ages of 5-8 years. This study found similarity in gender ratio of affected patients with CSK in two neighboring countries. This disease occurs most often in males, with almost identical frequency in both countries, Slovakia 65.63% and Poland 61.32%, respectively. The incidence of depigmentation and thickening of the external surface of the third eyelid together with CSK was observed in 69.19% of dogs in Poland and in 63.15% of dogs in Slovakia. CSK is often recognized in advanced stage-affected areas with inflammatory process by CSK, obtained frequently from 2 to 3 quadrants.

Subconjunctival Use of Allogeneic Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Treat Chronic Superficial Keratitis in German Shepherd Dogs: Pilot Study.

“…Corneal cytology revealed no signs of neoplasia. Instead, the epithelial phenotype resulting from this ocular surface evaluation demonstrated noncorneal tissue, evidenced by the presence of goblet cells commonly found in the conjunctiva 4 (data not shown).…”

“…Chronic super cial keratitis (CSK) or Uberreiter Syndrome (1)represent a chronic, in ammatory non-ulcerative disease of the super cial corneal stroma, which causes signi cant damage and consequent visual impairment in dogs (2). This condition is particularly common in German shepherd and Greyhounds, Belgian Shepherd dogs, but other breeds may be affected (3,4) . The disease also affects humans (5) and affected dogs may serve as a model species for this disease.…”

Cyclosporine A Delivery Platform for Veterinary Ophthalmology—A New Concept for Advanced Ophthalmology

“…The etiology is still not fully understood but CD4+ T lymphocyte infiltration from cornea stroma suggests an immunological background [ 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 ]. The German shepherd dog is a predisposed breed, but it can also occur in the Australian shepherd, collie, border collie, golden retriever, Akita, vizsla, and others [ 62 , 68 ]. Several studies have found that excessive ultraviolet exposure increases the risk of CSK [ 62 , 69 , 70 ].…”

Uso subconjuntival de células tronco mesenquimais alógenas em pacientes caninos portadores de ceratite superficial crônica

“…A doença não é restrita à córnea e não é superficial 7 , porém é uma doença crônica, inflamatória e não ulcerativa do estroma superficial corneano, que causa danos significativos e comprometimento visual em cães 22 . Esta condição é particularmente comum em galgos, pastores alemães e pastores belgas, Greyhounds, mas outras raças também podem ser afetadas 23,24 e aparenta ter características herdáveis 25 .…”