The role of Leptospira spp. in horses affected with recurrent uveitis in the UK



Malalana-Martinez, F ORCID: 0000-0002-5773-9725, Blundell, RJ, Pinchbeck, GL ORCID: 0000-0002-5671-8623 and McGowan, CM ORCID: 0000-0002-1946-9584
(2017) The role of Leptospira spp. in horses affected with recurrent uveitis in the UK. Equine veterinary journal, 49 (6). pp. 706-709.

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Abstract

Equine Recurrent Uveitis (ERU) is a common cause of ocular pain and blindness in horses. Leptospira spp. have commonly been implicated in the pathophysiology of ERU in mainland Europe and USA. No recent studies have been carried out in the UK but it is reported that Leptospira is not a major factor in the aetiology of ERU in the UK.to establish the prevalence of Leptospira-associated ERU in the UK and identify the serovars involved in these cases in the UK; compare serum versus aqueous humour antibody levels in cases and controls in order to confirm the diagnosis of Leptospira-associated ERU; and assess the usefulness of serology alone as a confirmatory test for Leptospira-associated ERU in the UK.case-control study.Eyes enucleated for clinical reasons from ERU-affected horses were collected. Blood and aqueous humour were obtained to determine antibody levels against a variety of Leptospira serovars and the C-value (aqueous humour value / serum value) calculated. In addition, eyes, blood and aqueous humour were obtained from control cases for comparison. Histopathology was performed in all eyes to confirm uveitis in each case. Differences in seroprevalence between ERU and control cases and between Leptospira and non-Leptospira associated ERU cases were calculated.30 ERU eyes and 43 controls were analysed. Of the ERU eyes, only 2 had a C-value>4 (prevalence of Leptospira-associated uveitis 6.7%). Serovars hardjo and javanica were detected. There was no difference in seroprevalence between uveitis (65.5%) and control cases (41.9%, p=0.11) or between Leptospira (100%) and non-Leptospira associated uveitis cases (63%, p=0.52).Low case numbers. Eyes were presented at different stages of disease. Only microscopic agglutination test performed to detect Leptospira.Leptospira-associated ERU is uncommon in the UK. Serology alone may not help definitively diagnose Leptospira-associated uveitis in the UK. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: horse, ERU, seroprevalence, aqueous humour, antibody titre
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 26 Apr 2017 09:56
Last Modified: 19 Jan 2023 07:09
DOI: 10.1111/evj.12683
Open Access URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12683
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3006620