Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Habronemic blepharoconjunctivitis in horses.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1981
- Authors:
- Rebhun, W C et al.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
In horses, a condition called Habronemic blepharoconjunctivitis causes raised yellowish plaques on the inner eyelids and the surface of the eye. Some horses also developed lumps on their eyelids and inflammation of the eyelids. When examined under a microscope, signs of certain immune cells and tissue breakdown were found, but looking at just one sample could lead to a wrong diagnosis. Treatment involved using special mixtures to kill the larvae causing the eyelid issues and eye drops with corticosteroids to reduce inflammation. However, if the eye's surface was damaged by these plaques, healing took longer because corticosteroids couldn't be used.
Abstract
Habronemic blepharoconjunctivitis was characterized clinically by raised yellow gritty plaques in the palpebral and bulbar conjunctivae. Lid granulomas and blepharitis were observed in some cases. On histologic examination, mast cells, eosinophils, and collagenolysis was found in most sections, but if only one section was examined an erroneous diagnosis of mastocytosis could have been made. Treatment consisted of larvicidal mixtures for lid lesions and organophosphate ophthalmic drops along with corticosteroids for the conjunctivitis. If the cornea was damaged by the gritty conjunctival plaques, healing was more prolonged because corticosteroids were then contraindicated.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6458591/