Blepharitis and Neoplasms of the Canine Eyelid Margin and Skin.

Canine eyelid masses (tumors) should include the differential clinical diagnoses of neoplasia and blepharitis. They have many common clinical signs including tumor, alopecia, and hyperemia. Biopsy and histologic examination remains the most effective diagnostic test to establish a confirmed diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Neoplasms are typically benign (tarsal gland adenomas, melanocytomas, and so forth) with the exception of lymphosarcoma. Blepharitis is noted in 2 age groups including dogs aged less than 1.5 years and middle aged to older dogs. Most blepharitis cases will respond to specific therapy once an accurate diagnosis is established.

Blepharitis in dogs: a clinical evaluation in 102 dogs.

BACKGROUND: Blepharitis is a common finding in many dogs with various skin diseases. OBJECTIVES: To establish a definition for canine blepharitis versus periocular dermatitis (POD), to evaluate the clinical findings and underlying skin diseases of blepharitis, and to document the effects of blepharitis on tear production in dogs. ANIMALS: One hundred and two privately owned dogs with clinical signs of blepharitis and a definitive diagnosis of skin disease. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Prospective evaluation of clinical signs and underlying diseases in dogs with blepharitis alone compared to dogs with blepharitis and POD. RESULTS: Brachycephalic dogs were significantly more likely to present with blepharitis than other breeds. Twenty five dogs had blepharitis alone [three dogs (2.9%) without and 22 dogs (21.5%) with cutaneous lesion beyond the periocular skin]. Seventy one of 102 (69%) presented with POD in addition to blepharitis. In six cases a differentiation between blepharitis and POD was not possible. Typical lesions included alopecia/hypotrichosis (97%), erythema (93%), eyelid oedema (50%) and crusts (39.2%). Allergic skin disease (52%) was the most common underlying cause of blepharitis, followed by infectious/parasitic diseases (21.5%), autoimmune disorders (17.7%) and neoplasia (4.9%). Four dogs could not be allocated to any of these disease groups. A diagnosis of parasitism was always accompanied by POD. Reduced tear production was detected in ten of the 53 dogs tested (18.8%). CONCLUSION: Blepharitis occurring in the absence of other skin lesions is rare. The most common underlying cause of blepharitis is allergic dermatitis. Measurement of tear production should be recommended in all cases of blepharitis.

Ocular Surface Disease in Birds.

Avian ocular disease may be primary or a manifestation of systemic disease. Various infectious and noninfectious diseases have been reported to cause ocular pathology. Thorough physical examination and diagnostic testing are necessary to determine a treatment plan.

Malassezia spp on the periocular skin of dogs and their association with blepharitis, ocular discharge, and the application of ophthalmic medications.

OBJECTIVE: To determine how frequently Malassezia spp were identified on the periocular skin of dogs and assess the respective associations between the presence of Malassezia spp on the periocular skin and blepharitis, ocular discharge, and the application of ophthalmic medications. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. ANIMALS: 167 eyelids of 84 dogs. PROCEDURES: Samples obtained from the surface of the eyelid skin by use of adhesive tape were evaluated cytologically for the presence of Malassezia spp. Dogs were grouped on the basis of the presence of blepharitis, nature of ocular discharge, and whether ophthalmic medications were applied, and the proportion of samples with Malassezia spp was compared among the groups. RESULTS: Malassezia spp were detected in 19 samples, of which 15 were obtained from eyes without blepharitis and 14 were obtained from eyes treated with topical ophthalmic medications. The proportion of samples with Malassezia spp was significantly higher for eyes with ocular discharge than for eyes without ocular discharge, especially if that discharge was mucoid or mucopurulent, and for eyes that were treated with aqueous-based medications only or a combination of oil- and aqueous-based medications than for eyes that were not treated. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Malassezia organisms were detected on the periocular skin of 3 of 56 (5%) clinically normal dogs. Malassezia organisms were also frequently found on the periocular skin of dogs that had mucoid or mucopurulent ocular discharge or that were administered topical aqueous-based ophthalmic medications, and the periocular skin of these dogs should be cytologically evaluated for Malassezia organisms.

Ocular signs, diagnosis and long-term treatment with allopurinol in a cat with leishmaniasis.

A case of leishmaniasis with predominantly ocular signs in a cat living in Switzerland and it's treatment is reported. The cat was imported from Spain 4 years earlier and was initially presented with chronic uveitis. Laboratory test results were negative for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and Toxoplasma gondii, as well as for Bartonella haenselae and Leishmania spp. Twenty-one months later the cat was presented again because of development of keratitis and granulomatous blepharitis. Blood cell count revealed severe Pancytopenia; Cytology of fine needle aspirates of granulomatous lesions on both upper eyelids and of a corneal smear revealed intracytoplasmatic microorganisms. A preliminary diagnosis of leishmaniasis was supported by positive polymerase chain reaction from bone marrow and eyelid samples for Leishmania infantum DNA and by a high serum antibody titer for Leishmania spp. Treatment with Allopurinol (10 mg/kg, BID) orally led to rapid improvement of ocular signs, general condition and blood cell count with complete remission of lid and corneal lesions within 2 months of treatment.

A novel gammaherpesvirus in a large flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus) with blepharitis.

A novel gammaherpesvirus was identified in a large flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus) with conjunctivitis, blepharitis, and meibomianitis by nested polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. Polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing of 472 base pairs of the DNA-dependent DNA polymerase gene were used to identify a novel herpesvirus. Bayesian and maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses indicated that the virus is a member of the genus Percavirus in the subfamily Gammaherpesvirinae. Additional research is needed regarding the association of this virus with conjunctivitis and other ocular pathology. This virus may be useful as a biomarker of stress and may be a useful model of virus recrudescence in Pteropus spp.

Estudo clínico e histológico das pálpebras e conjuntiva hígidas submetidas ao tratamento tópico com soluções anestésicas em coelhos / Clinical and histological evaluation of healthy eyelid and conjunctiva subject to local treatment with anesthetic solutions in rabbits

Avaliaram-se as apresentações comerciais de colírios anestésicos aplicados em 63 coelhos da raça Nova Zelândia, distribuídos em três grupos (G1, G2 e G3) de 21 animais cada e que receberam instilação de uma gota em cada olho seis vezes ao dia. Os animais do G1 foram tratados com colírio de cloridrato de proparacaína a 0,5%; os do G2, com colírio de cloridrato de tetracaína a 1% associado à fenilefrina a 0,1%; e os do G3, com solução fisiológica. Cada grupo foi subdividido em três subgrupos com sete animais cada, os quais foram tratados por três, sete e 15 dias. No final de cada tratamento, dois animais de cada subgrupo foram sacrificados para exame histológico de fragmentos retirados da conjuntiva, da terceira pálpebra e das pálpebras. Observou-se, ao exame clínico, episclerite em graus diversos em 100% dos animais do G1, no terceiro, sétimo e 15º dia, e em apenas 17,8% nos do G2, nestes mesmos dias. Ao exame microscópico, observaram-se aumento do número de células califormes, proliferação de folículos linfoides, aumento do número de eosinófilos e aumento do espaço intersticial nas pálpebras dos animais do G1. Pôde-se concluir que o colírio de tetracaína a 1% associado à fenilefrina a 0,1% promoveu maior toxicidade à conjuntiva ocular e às pálpebras de coelhos quando comparado ao colírio de proparacaína a 0,5%.

This work aimed to evaluate commercial presentations of anesthetic eye drops in sixty three New Zealand rabbits which were separated equally in three groups (G1, G2 and G3). The G1 group was treated with 0.5% proparacaine chloridrate eye drop, G2 group with 1% tetracaine chloridrate associated with 0.1% phenylephrine eye drop and G3 group with 0.9% physiologic solution eye drop. All of them received one drop in each eye six times a day. Each group was subdivided into three subgroups (seven rabbits), which are treated for 3, 7 and 15 days. At the end of each treatment, two animals in each subgroup were subject to euthanasia, for the purpose of conjunctiva, eyelids and third eyelids histological evaluation. At the clinical exam, different grades of episcleritis were found in all rabbits in G2 group and only in 17.8% of the rabbits in G1 group. Eye and eyelid histologic evaluation of G2 group revealed an upgrade of goblet cells and eosinophil number, lymphoid follicle proliferation and increase of interstitial space in the eyelids. We could conclude that 1% tetracaine associated with 0.1% phenylephrine eye drop caused more eyelid and ocular conjunctiva toxicity than 0.5% proparacaine eye drop.

Evaluation of the bacterial microflora of the conjunctival sac of healthy dogs and dogs with atopic dermatitis.

The aim of this case-control study was to evaluate and compare the bacterial microflora from the conjunctival sac of dogs with atopic dermatitis and healthy dogs. Twenty-one atopic dogs without clinical and/or cytopathological signs of bacterial blepharoconjunctivitis and 21 breed-matched healthy dogs were enrolled. Under topical anaesthesia, the inferior conjunctival sac of one eye was scraped twice. Material was collected with a Kimura spatula, spread over a slide and stained with a Diff Quick(®) -type stain (Medion Diagnostics GmbH, Düdingen, Switzerland) for cytological examination. An area of 0.5 cm(2) was examined at ×1000 magnification, and the types and numbers of cells and bacteria were recorded. A bacterial swab was collected and inoculated into culture media for the growth of aerobic bacteria. Before sampling, each atopic dog was evaluated for severity of cutaneous lesions, pruritus and conjunctival inflammation. Significant differences were observed between atopic and healthy dogs for the presence of bacteria on cytology (P = 0.015), keratinized (P = 0.001) and nonkeratinized epithelial cells (P = 0.013), eosinophils (P = 0.019) and lymphocytes (P = 0.008). Bacteria were recovered from 12 atopic dogs and three healthy dogs (P = 0.004). Staphylococcus pseudintermedius was the most commonly isolated species in atopic dogs (seven of 12). In atopic dogs, no significant relation was found between conjunctival bacterial colonization (on cytology and culture) and the severity of any of the clinical parameters. This study suggests differences in conjunctival bacterial colonization and cytological features between atopic and healthy dogs.

Disseminated histoplasmosis with concurrent oral candidiasis in an Eclectus parrot (Eclectus roratus).

Disseminated histoplasmosis caused by Histoplasma capsulatum, a zoonotic fungal organism, is an important disease in animals and humans, particularly those with compromised immune systems. Reports of disseminated histoplasmosis in an avian species are not available within the current literature. Candida albicans, another fungal agent with zoonotic importance, is a commensal of the avian digestive tract that is often associated with opportunistic infections particularly in young or immunocompromised birds. This report describes a case of concomitant histoplasmosis and candidiasis in an Eclectus parrot (Eclectus roratus) characterized by severe granulomatous glossitis, blepharitis and osteomyelitis with numerous intrahistiocytic and extracellular yeasts (H. capsulatum) as well as intralesional hyphae, pseudohyphae and conidia (C. albicans). To our knowledge, co-infection with H. capsulatum and C. albicans has not been reported in an avian species.

Ulcerative blepharitis and conjunctivitis in adult dairy cows and association with Moraxella bovoculi.

Nine lactating dairy cows were evaluated because of eye lesions. Examination revealed mild to severe ulceration of the lower and/or upper eyelids, mild to severe swelling surrounding affected eyes, and profuse lacrimation. Lesions typically affected 1 eye, and involved the eyelid skin and conjunctiva. Oxytetracycline treatment led to cure within 2 wk.

Canine conjunctivitis and blepharitis.

The eyelids and conjunctiva are immunologically active structures with an extensive presence of blood vessels, lymphatics, and immune cells. Several immune-mediated phenomena can involve these structures either in isolation or in association with systemic clinical features. Immune-mediated blepharoconjunctival diseases are divided into two main categories: primary autoimmune disease in which the disease results from an attack against self-antigens and secondary immune-mediated disease in which the disorder results from exogenous material inducing autoimmune disease. Such causes of secondary immune-mediated disease include infectious agents and drugs. This article reviews the most important autoimmune and immune-mediated eyelid and conjunctival disorders in dogs.

Spontaneous ophthalmic diseases in 586 New Zealand white rabbits.

The purpose of this study was to investigate spontaneous eye disease in New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits, which are commonly used for toxicity tests, and to provide reference materials for pharmaceutical companies and research centers. A total of 586 NZW rabbits were randomly chosen without sex preference and were examined using ocular equipment, including a direct ophthalmoscope, an indirect ophthalmoscope, a slit-lamp biomicroscope, a focal illuminator, and a fundus camera. This study showed that the incidence rate of temporary cataracts, regarded as a change within normal variation, was 0.5% in the NZW rabbits. Regarding abnormal ophthalmic disease, blepharitis was the most commonly observed ocular disease. Other findings included cataract, conjunctivitis, choroidal hypoplasia, keratitis, corneal scarring, eyelid laceration, posterior synechiae, uveitis, dacryocystitis, and persistent pupillary membrane. In total, the incidence rate of ophthalmic diseases was 9.6%. Based on sex and age distributions, females had more ocular diseases than males, and rabbits were less susceptible to eye diseases as they got older. In this study, photographs were taken to document findings, such as normal fundus, normal variations, ophthalmic disease, and histopathologic examination.

Intracapsular lens removal in a Przewalski's wild horse (Equus caballus przewalskii).

A 11.5-yr-old female Przewalski's wild horse (Equus caballus przewalskii) presented for unilateral blepharitis and drainage from the left eye. The left cornea was not ulcerated, and intraocular evaluation was hampered by severe corneal edema. The left eye appeared to respond positively to treatment with anti-inflammatories and a topical mydriatic agent. During the ensuing 2 yr, there were minor episodes of epiphora from the left eye. The discharge then increased, and a luxated lens was noted during an examination by a veterinary ophthalmologist as part of the preshipment examination. Initially, the lens was located in the anterior compartment but was in the vitreal compartment at the time of surgery, complicating the intracapsular extraction. After successful removal of the lens, the horse was transferred to a new institution without incident, where it appears to have adapted well to its probable loss of vision in the left eye. No further episodes of uveitis, corneal edema, or epiphora have been reported, and the horse has successfully foaled at the new institution.

Canine and feline primary ocular bacterial infections.

Bacterial infections are frequently associated with diseases of the eyelids, cornea, and conjunctiva. Animals sustaining KCS commonly have bacterial infections of the external eye owing to a lack of antimicrobial properties present in the normal tearfilm. Infection can occur in the nasolacrimal duct or lacrimal sac, which is referred to as dacryocystitis. Severe corneal ulcers are frequently infected with bacteria, especially Pseudomonas sp. Three new topical ophthalmic antibiotics have recently become commercially available: ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, and ofloxacin.

Epitheliotropic lymphoma (mycosis fungoides) presenting as blepharoconjunctivitis in an Irish setter.

An 11-year-old neutered female Irish setter was presented with a six-week history of blepharoconjunctivitis affecting the right eye. A conjunctival biopsy was taken and histopathological examination revealed a heavy cellular infiltrate involving the epithelial and subepithelial tissues. Immunohistochemical staining showed the intraepithelial cell population to uniformly have the phenotype CD3 (T-cell specific marker). A diagnosis of epitheliotropic lymphoma (mycosis fungoides) was made. The use of a synthetic retinoid and topical prednisolone in the management of the case is discussed.

Pyogranulomatous blepharitis in two dogs.

Two cases of pyogranulomatous blepharitis (inflammation of the lid margins) in the dalmatian are described. The diagnosis was confirmed on biopsy of the lid lesions. Bacteriology performed in one case was negative. Both cases responded to treatment: one responded well to a course of systemic steroids (prednisolone 1 mg/kg at a decreasing dose over three weeks), while the other, which was negative on culture, responded to a six-week course of cephalexin (30 mg/kg twice daily). This second dog also presented with a localised lymphadenopathy; the owner had suffered a similar reaction three years previously as a result of a penetrating injury by a pyracantha thorn.

Swollen eyelid associated with Foleyella sp infection in a chameleon.

An adult female Oustalet's chameleon was examined to determine the cause of a fluctuant enlargement of the right superior eyelid. Surgical exploration of the subcutaneous tissues of the eyelid revealed live microfilarial parasites, which were identified later as Foleyella sp. These parasites, although seldomly reported, are fairly common in imported chameleons and can be detected during examination of blood smears. Surgical removal continues to be the treatment of choice for these parasites, because the efficacy and safety of many new anthelmintic agents have not been determined for use in chameleons.

Allergic- and immunologic-mediated diseases of the eye and adnexae.

Significant allergic- and immunologic-mediated diseases of the eye are reviewed. Included are diseases of the lacrimal gland namely keratoconjunctivitis sicca, immune-mediated diseases of the conjunctiva, atopic blepharoconjunctivitis, and marginal blepharitis, uveitis including lens-induced uveitis, episcleritis, orbital cellulitis, and optic neuritis. Significant diagnostic features, an approach to diagnostic workup, and treatment are presented.