Abordagem anatômica, clínica e cirúrgica da uveite recorrente equina: revisão de literatura.

Abstract

Equine Recurrent Uveitis (URE) is a pathology of multifactorial etiology and a frequent cause of blindness in horses and mules. With high prevalence rates, the ERU has been responsible for major economic impacts on equine culture, since many animals have to be euthanized due to the high cost of treatment, the loss of work function and for ethical reasons. Given the great relevance of the disease, this study aimed to conduct research in the literature on the main aspects of the disease, such as etiopathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnosis and the available forms of treatment. Over the decades, several etiologies have been associated with the emergence of URE, but the most addressed by the literature were those associated with autoimmune, infectious and genetic factors. It has been shown that horses are the only animals that can spontaneously develop the ERU, resembling human recurrent uveitis, therefore, immunomediated factors have been and are still widely studied and some details of the pathophysiology of the disease. In the infectious aspect, the ERU has been associated with several viral, parasitic and bacterial agents, being infections by Leptospira spp. most relevant to the development of pathology. It is also known that Appaloosa horses are more predisposed to ERU, and, according to the literature, such genetic involvement may be related to the LP (leopard complex spotting) allele, which confers the “painted” characteristic of the coat. The treatment of URE aims to preserve vision, relieve pain and prevent or minimize the recurrence of the uveitis episodes, ranging from the use of antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and mydriatics to surgical procedures, which are more effective in preventing recurrence. Although much is already known about the disease, further studies are needed to improve the understanding of the ERU, as well to decrease the incidence of blindness and provide treatments that guarantee the highest quality of life for the affected animals.