Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Eosinophilic keratoconjunctivitis in a horse.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1994
- Authors:
- Ramsey, D T et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
An 11-year-old Quarter Horse gelding was seen because he had a persistent raised band of small plaques on the left side of his eye. Tests showed a lot of certain white blood cells called eosinophils, which are often involved in allergic reactions, and some other types of cells, indicating inflammation. A culture of the area found a small amount of bacteria, but the main issue seemed to be the inflammation. After the surface of the eye healed, the horse was treated with a corticosteroid ointment, and 28 days later, the plaques were completely gone. This case showed similarities to a condition seen in cats called eosinophilic keratitis, and the treatment was successful.
Abstract
An 11-year-old Quarter Horse gelding was evaluated because of a persistent, raised band of 1- to 2-mm subepithelial plaques of the left cornea. Cytologic examination of corneal scrapings revealed numerous eosinophils and segmented neutrophils, with few mast cells, plasma cells, and lymphocytes. Bacteriologic culture yielded sparse growth of alpha-hemolytic Streptococcus and Staphylococcus spp. Histologically, the plaques consisted of subepithelial foci of fragmented and degenerated collagen fibers infiltrated by eosinophils and neutrophils, with few lymphocytes, plasma cells, and macrophages. Plaques were surrounded by a layer of brightly eosinophilic, acellular, granular material. Distribution of inflammatory cells in the conjunctiva was similar to cells in the cornea. After reepithelialization of the cornea, corticosteroid ointment was administered topically. Twenty-eight days after treatment with corticosteroids, the plaques had completely resolved. Histologic and cytologic diagnoses in this horse were similar to reports of eosinophilic keratitis in cats.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7698943/