Equine recurrent uveitis: The European viewpoint

Abstract

Summary 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.

Label-free LC-MSMS analysis of vitreous from autoimmune uveitis reveals a significant decrease in secreted Wnt signalling inhibitors DKK3 and SFRP2

“…Therapeutic success of vitreous removal in ERU [30] indicates that factors important for disease pathogenesis are present in the vitreous. Since the vitreous is located centrally in the eye directly adjacent to the retina and contains secreted molecules from retina, the analysis of this compartment is of high interest for revealing pathogenesis-related processes in ERU.…”

Detection of intraocular leptospiral DNA, antibodies and Leptospira spp. in horses with equine recurrent uveitis in different laboratories

“…Other authors referred to the anatomic sites which were mainly affected during inflammation to divide ERU into different subgroups. They categorized ERU into a painful "anterior uveitis/iritis", an almost painless "intermediate uveitis/cyclitis/pars planitis" and a "posterior uveitis/choroiditis" or rather "panuveitis", because not only the choroid, but also the ciliary body is usually involved during inflammation (Spiess 2010, Tömördy et al 2010, Wollanke et al 2009). There are numerous aetiological theories for the causes of ERU, but to date, the "classic ERU" is most commonly associated with an intraocular leptospiral infection (Alexander 1990, Brandes et al 2007Faber et al 2000, Frellstedt 2009, Gerding et al 2015, Gilger et al 2008, Halliwell 1985, Heusser 1948, Niedermaier et al 2006, Pearce et al 2007, Polle et al 2014, Rimpau 1947, Schwink et al 1989, Sillerud et al 1987, von Borstel et al 2010, Wiehen 2012, Wollanke et al 2000, Wollanke et al 2001.…”

Occurrence and severity of equine recurrent uveitis in warmblood horses - A comparative study

“…In Europa wird bei der akuten Entzündung zwischen einer "vorderen Uveitis", d.h. einer Entzündung der Iris und der vorderen Augenkammer mit einer Miosis, der "intermediären Uveitis" (Zyklitis) und der seltenen "hinteren Uveitis" (Chorioditis) unterschieden (Wollanke und Gerhards 2009, Spiess 2010, Tömördy et al 2010. Bei der häufig auftretenden Panuveitis sind alle Teile des Auges betroffen (Wollanke und Gerhards 2009).…”