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. 2023 Mar;9(2):625-637.
doi: 10.1002/vms3.982. Epub 2022 Oct 17.

Study of ocular manifestations and humoral immune response in eyes of dogs with leishmaniasis

Amel F El Goulli  1 , Lilia Zribi  2 , Rania Sanhaji  1 , Ahmed Chabchoub  1 , Aïda Bouratbine  2 , Mohamed Gharbi  3 , Hafedh Abdelmelek  4
Affiliations

Study of ocular manifestations and humoral immune response in eyes of dogs with leishmaniasis

Amel F El Goulli et al. Vet Med Sci. 2023 Mar.

Abstract

Background: Ocular manifestations in dogs with leishmaniasis are frequent and complications in affected tissues can lead to blindness. Immune processes play a very important role in the pathogenesis of ocular inflammation. Therefore, the immunology of ocular manifestations in dogs with leishmaniasis remains complex and poorly understood.

Objectives: Estimation and characterisation of ocular and periocular manifestations in dogs naturally infected with Leishmania infantum and investigation of the production site of specific anti-Leishmania infantum IgG.

Methods: The present investigation used 53 confirmed dogs infected with Leishmania infantum, presenting ocular and periocular lesions, and 10 control non-infected dogs. Complete macroscopic ophthalmic examination of eyelids and globes was performed. Both total and anti-Leishmania infantum IgG antibodies were studied in sera and aqueous humour (AH) of all dogs by ELISA technique. A Goldmann-Witmer coefficient (C value) was calculated.

Results: The main ophthalmological findings were keratoconjunctivitis (71.7%; 38/53), hyperplasia of conjunctival lymphoid follicles (54.7%; 29/53), blepharitis (50.9%; 27/53) and uveitis (20.7%; 11/53). Ocular production of anti-Leishmania infantum IgG was detected in 73.6% (39/53) of infected dogs. There was no correlation between the antibody levels in AH and sera of the same dog. The mean anti-Leishmania infantum IgG in AH was higher in uveitis, followed by lesions affecting only the adnexa (p < 0.0001). The highest mean C values were observed for uveitis, conjunctivitis and keratitis.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that production of anti-Leishmania IgG in dogs infected with Leishmania infantum with ocular manifestations begin in situ and follows by a transfer of antibodies from the bloodstream to the AH.

Keywords: Goldmann-Witmer coefficient; antibody; aqueous humour; dog; eye; leishmaniasis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that there are no conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Hyperplasia of lymphoid follicles of the nictitating membrane characterised by numerous small ovoid lesions located in the conjunctiva of dog with leishmaniasis. A deep corneal ulcer is present
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Acute and fibrinous anterior uveitis in a dog naturally infected by Leishmania infantum characterised by hypopyon (a) or hyphema (b)
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Retinal atrophy in a dog naturally infected by Leishmania infantum. Note the thinning of retinal vasculature and the inactive chorioretinitis with black areas in the tapetal fundus surrounded by hyperreflective lesions
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Hypertensive uveitis which has progressed to secondary glaucoma in a dog with leishmaniasis. Note the increased diameter of the eyeball, the severe diffuse corneal oedema and the corneal and episcleral neovascularisation
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5
Variation of anti‐Leishmania infantum IgG titres in aqueous humour according to the location of the ocular lesion in dogs with leishmaniasis (n = 53) and in control dogs (n = 10)
FIGURE 6
FIGURE 6
Goldmann–Witmer coefficient (C value) according to ocular lesions in dogs with a C value higher than 1 (n = 15). In red threshold value of Goldmann–Witmer coefficient = 1
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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