SURVEY OF CLINICAL OPHTHALMIC DISEASE IN THE GIANT PANDA (AILUROPODA MELANOLEUCA) AMONG NORTH AMERICAN ZOOLOGICAL INSTITUTIONS.

This study surveyed six North American zoologic institutions to collect retrospective information on the incidence of ocular disease in the giant panda. Reported information included sex and age at presentation, as well as diagnosis, treatment, duration, and clinical outcome for each episode of ocular disease. Among the 42 animals included in the survey, 10 (23.8%) had clinical ocular abnormalities reported. Multiple disease episodes were reported in four animals, with 20 clinical episodes, and one additional animal who presented with corneal scarring from historic keratitis. Age at presentation varied from 0.4 to 26 yr (mean, 11.8 yr; median, 10.4 yr). Corneal abnormalities (including corneal opacity or haze, keratitis, corneal ulcers, and bullous keratopathy) were the most common pathologies reported, followed by conjunctivitis and/or ocular discharge. Additional reported abnormalities included limbal squamous cell carcinoma and lipid degeneration. Six cases resolved without intervention. Treatment protocols included topical and/or systemic medication with or without surgical intervention, which commonly resulted in resolution with or without persistent corneal scar. The prevalence of ocular disease identified in the giant panda in this study is higher than previous publications surveying ocular disease in the family Ursidae, indicating that this is an important source of morbidity in this species.

Interleukin 11 expression in the normal canine eye.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to characterize the expression of interleukin-11 (IL-11), a cytokine with anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective, and immune-modulating characteristics, in the canine eye. PROCEDURES: Normal canine eyes were collected from clinically healthy dogs that had been euthanized for reasons unrelated to this study. The distribution of IL-11 expression in the different ocular layers was evaluated by immunofluorescence (eight eyes). Expression levels were quantified (based on fluorescence intensity) using pixel density analysis. Primary cell cultures were derived from all three corneal cell layers. IL-11 mRNA expression was assessed in these cultures using quantitative RT-PCR before and after treatment with TGF-ß1, a known inducer of IL-11 expression. IL-11 protein expression was also assessed in the media of these cells by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: IL-11 protein was detected in the corneal epithelium, keratocytes, and the corneal endothelium of the normal canine eyes examined using immunofluorescence. Baseline IL-11 mRNA expression was noted in the corneal epithelium, fibroblasts, and endothelium using quantitative RT-PCR. Treatment of canine corneal cell lines with TGF-ß1 resulted in statistically significant increases in IL-11 expression in the corneal epithelium, endothelial and fibroblast cell lines with strongest induction noted in the fibroblasts and endothelium. CONCLUSION: This is the first description of IL-11 expression in the canine eye. The protein and mRNA appear to be constitutively present throughout all layers of the cornea and are increased by TGF-ß1, a cytokine important in ocular inflammation and disease.

Optic neuritis caused by canine distemper virus in a Jack Russell terrier.

An atypical case of canine distemper (CD) was diagnosed in a vaccinated healthy adult dog. The patient was presented circling, seizuring, and blind. Postmortem examination resulted in a diagnosis of CD. Optic neuritis was diagnosed, a finding not previously described in the context of CD virus infection presenting solely with neurological signs.