ABSTRACT
Five horses presented with unilateral pink, smooth, nonulcerated conjunctival masses with histologic features characteristic of inflammatory pseudotumors, i.e. proliferative inflammatory lesions clinically resembling true neoplasia. Although causes for the inflammatory lesions were not determined, based on the presence histologically of mononuclear (predominantly lymphocytic) inflammatory cell infiltrates and the absence of infectious agents, parasites or foreign bodies, an immune-mediated pathogenesis was suspected. Affected horses ranged from 5 to 8 years of age with no apparent breed or sex predilection. Conjunctival lesions were nodular in two cases and relatively flat and more diffuse in three cases. Third eyelid lesions were present in three cases and two affected eyes had corneal involvement. Based on findings from these five cases, the prognosis for equine conjunctival pseudotumors appears to be good when lesions are treated by partial or complete surgical excision, local administration of anti-inflammatory agents, or a combination of surgery and anti-inflammatory therapy.
ABSTRACT
Traumatic keratouveitis in horses is characterised by a unilateral, aseptic, vascularising keratitis accompanied by moderate to severe anterior uveitis. In a series of 9 cases of post traumatic keratouveitis, topical and systemic nonsteroidal drugs and atropine were used to control the anterior uveitis while allowing spontaneous corneal healing. Among the 9 cases reported, 6 affected eyes previously treated with local corticosteroids took significantly longer to resolve when compared to 3 eyes in which corticosteroids had not been administered. It was concluded that, in cases of equine post traumatic keratouveitis, locally administered corticosteroids inhibit healing of damaged corneal stroma and, by prolonging the keratitis, perpetuate the concurrent anterior uveitis.
Subject(s)
Corneal Injuries , Eye Injuries/veterinary , Horse Diseases/etiology , Keratitis/veterinary , Uveitis, Anterior/veterinary , Administration, Topical , Adrenal Cortex Hormones/administration & dosage , Adrenal Cortex Hormones/therapeutic use , Animals , Anti-Infective Agents/administration & dosage , Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic use , Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/administration & dosage , Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/therapeutic use , Atropine/administration & dosage , Atropine/therapeutic use , Drug Therapy, Combination , Eye Injuries/complications , Female , Horse Diseases/drug therapy , Horses , Keratitis/drug therapy , Keratitis/etiology , Male , Mydriatics/administration & dosage , Mydriatics/therapeutic use , Ophthalmic Solutions , Uveitis, Anterior/drug therapy , Uveitis, Anterior/etiologyABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The protozoan Acanthamoeba produces a severe keratitis in a small percentage of people, especially contact lens-wearers. The purpose of this work was to develop and characterize an immortalized line of hamster corneal epithelial cells to be used in studies of the pathogenesis of Acanthamoeba keratitis. METHODS: Hamster corneal epithelial cells were maintained in primary culture and immortalized using simian virus 40 (SV40). Foci of transformed cells were cloned and subsequently characterized by phase-contrast microscopy and immunocytochemistry. Growth characteristics of the clone that were analyzed included loss of dependence on conditioned medium and ability to grow in soft agar. Cytotoxicity experiments were performed, to determine whether the selected clone was susceptible to Acanthamoeba infection in vitro. RESULTS: A cell line which exhibited epithelial morphology, as determined by phase contrast microscopy, was selected and cloned. Immunocytochemistry demonstrated the presence of keratin in the cloned cells, confirming the epithelial nature of the cell line. Immortalization was shown by loss of dependence on fibroblast-conditioned medium, ability to form colonies in soft agar and no apparent senescence following numerous passages in culture. This cell line was found to be sensitive to the cytotoxic effects of a pathogenic strain of Acanthamoeba. CONCLUSIONS: An immortalized line of hamster corneal epithelial cells was developed. This clone is susceptible to infection with Acanthamoeba and will be a useful tool with which to investigate the pathogenesis of Acanthamoeba keratitis.
Subject(s)
Acanthamoeba Keratitis/etiology , Epithelium, Corneal/parasitology , Acanthamoeba/physiology , Acanthamoeba Keratitis/metabolism , Acanthamoeba Keratitis/pathology , Animals , Antibodies, Protozoan/metabolism , Cell Line, Transformed/metabolism , Cell Line, Transformed/parasitology , Cell Line, Transformed/pathology , Cell Survival , Clone Cells , Cricetinae , Epithelium, Corneal/metabolism , Epithelium, Corneal/pathology , Immunoenzyme Techniques , Keratins/metabolism , Male , Mesocricetus , Microscopy, Phase-Contrast , Simian virus 40ABSTRACT
The instruments utilized in ophthalmic surgery are described along with their intended uses. The sterilization and storage of surgical instruments are also discussed. To guide the surgeon in the selection of instruments, examples of instrument packs are included.
