Feline eosinophilic conjunctivitis

Abstract

The 12 reviewed cases suggest that feline eosinophilic conjunctivitis is a chronic inflammatory uni- or bilateral disease of the adult cat. Typically the lid margin was also involved, and was thickened, depigmented and erosive. Cytological examination of conjunctival scrapings was a valuable tool for detecting eosinophilic conjunctivitis. The cytological findings correlated well with the histopathological findings in our patients. Topical or systemic anti-inflammatory drugs resolved the clinical symptoms in our cases within a short period of time. Neither electronmicroscopy nor PCR were able to detect involvement of FHV1 in the represented cases. The etiopathogenic role of FeHV-1 remains undetermined.

Feline Epitheliotropic Mastocytic Conjunctivitis in 15 Cats

“…8,10,11 Moreover, both eosinophilic conjunctivitis and feline epitheliotropic mastocytic conjunctivitis appear to respond to topical anti-inflammatory treatment and do not have a clear underlying cause. 1 Although follow-up information was variable for the study population, it appears that in most cases prognosis for survival was excellent and that recurrence was uncommon with combined surgical and medical treatment. The wide array of treatments prescribed makes it difficult to comment upon preferred protocols; however, recurrences in 2 cats were reasonably controlled with long-term topical therapy with tacrolimus or corticosteroid.…”

“…Moreover, feline epitheliotropic mastocytic conjunctivitis is characterized by the presence of mast cells within the conjunctival epithelium, a feature that has not been described previously in association with eosinophilic keratoconjunctivitis or eosinophilic conjunctivitis. 1,3 Nonetheless, mast cells have been described within the corneal epithelium of cats with feline eosinophilic keratitis. 21 Cytologic evaluation from these patients does not seem to be sufficient for the diagnosis of feline epitheliotropic mastocytic conjunctivitis, as similar findings are seen in feline eosinophilic conjunctivitis or keratitis, conjunctival mast cell tumors, or other causes of feline conjunctivitis (eg, C. felis, M. haemofelis).…”

“…21 Cytologic evaluation from these patients does not seem to be sufficient for the diagnosis of feline epitheliotropic mastocytic conjunctivitis, as similar findings are seen in feline eosinophilic conjunctivitis or keratitis, conjunctival mast cell tumors, or other causes of feline conjunctivitis (eg, C. felis, M. haemofelis). 1,3,9 Due to cytologic similarities between feline eosinophilic conjunctivitis and feline epitheliotropic mastocytic conjunctivitis, the authors considered the possibility that feline epitheliotropic mastocytic conjunctivitis may be an uncommonly severe variant of feline eosinophilic conjunctivitis. In humans, vernal conjunctivitis varies in severity and may range from mild hyperemia and chemosis, to cobblestone-like papillae, or to large papillary conjunctival lesions in severe cases.…”

“…Tissue infiltration by mast cells occurs in cats with mast cell tumors, 2,13,15 eosinophilic keratitis, 3 eosinophilic conjunctivitis, 1,19 and papular mastocytic dermatitis. 17 Papillary conjunctivitis with intraepithelial mast cells has been described in people with vernal 11 or giant papillary 10 conjunctivitis but not with allergic or atopic conjunctivitis.…”

Eosinophilic keratoconjunctivitis in two rabbits

“…Superficial vascularization of the medial or lateral perilimbal cornea is its typical early manifestation, later developing into a bed of granulation tissue with white corneal plaques 1–5,7,13,14,23 . In cats the adjacent bulbar conjunctiva 6 and the nictitating membrane 9 can also be affected and in some cases the conjunctiva is affected in the absence of obvious corneal pathology 11 . Clinical signs of pain or discharge are variable 14,21 and the condition can occur uni‐ or bilaterally 5,7,8,10,11,14–18 .…”