Direct and indirect detection of leptospires in vitreal samples of horses with ERU

作者：Borstel Myriam V^*; Oey Lydia; Strutzberg Minder Katrin; Boeve Michael H; Ohnesorge Bernhard

来源：Pferdeheilkunde, 2010, 26(2): 219-225.

DOI：10.21836/pem20100217

• horse
• eye
• equine recurrent uveitis
• leptospira
• vitrectomy

The etiology of ERU is complex. In many cases of ERU an initial intraocular leptospiral infection with resulting t-cell-mediated inflammation of the uveal tract could be shown. Aim of this study was direct and indirect detection of leptospira in vitreal samples of ERU diseased eyes using MAT and PCR. Results were compared to a healthy controlgroup (36 ophthalmology healthy eyes of 18 horses, which were euthanazised because of other diseases). Further the severity of the uveitis induced lesions was put in relation to the probability of leptospira detection. Between January 2005 and November 2008 100 ERU diseased eyes of 90 horses were treated via double port pars plana vitrectomy. During this procedure vitreal samples were taken and examined for leptospira using MAT and PCR. In 66% detection results were positiv. Predominantly the Serovar Grippotyphosa was found in 80% (n=53) of MAT-positive eyes. In 34% of ERU diseased eyes no leptospira antigen or antibody was detected. In the controlgroup only one eye was tested positive for leptospira antibody. For the affected horse no ophthalmology history was obtained. Therefore it is unclear whether this eye had had a uveitis episode prior to sampling or it was in incubation period. The present study confirms that many cases of ERU were associated with intraocular leptospira infection.

• 出版日期2010-4