Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Vision loss and optic nerve inflammation linked to tick virus in a dog
By Stadtbäumer, K et al.·Published in Veterinary ophthalmology·2004·Clinic for Surgery and Ophthalmology·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Tick-borne encephalitis virus as a possible cause of optic neuritis in a dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 3-year-old female Siberian Husky suddenly lost her vision and was diagnosed with optic neuritis, which is inflammation of the optic nerve. Tests showed high levels of antibodies for tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) and other infections. The dog was treated with steroids and antibiotics, which helped her regain vision in one eye, but she remained blind in the other. Unfortunately, months later, she showed signs of lethargy and disorientation, and tests revealed elevated TBEV levels again. This case suggests that TBEV could be a cause of optic neuritis in dogs, especially in areas where ticks are common.
People also search for: dog vision loss treatment · Siberian Husky optic neuritis · tick-borne encephalitis in dogs
Abstract
A 3-year-old spayed female Siberian Husky was presented due to acute vision loss. Examination revealed bilateral optic neuritis and lymphocytic meningoencephalitis. The serum (1:800) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF; 1:200) immunoglobulin (Ig)G titers for tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) were elevated as were the serum IgG titer for Anaplasma phagocytophilum (1:640) and serum IgM titer for Toxoplasma gondii (1:20). Intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies such as ehrlichial or anaplasmal morulae were not observed in the CSF or blood smear. The dog was treated with methylprednisone and doxycycline. The left eye regained vision; the right eye remained blind. Anti-inflammatory therapy was stopped on day 18 after diagnosis. Four days later the dog showed evidence of hyperesthesia in the cervical region. Analysis of CSF showed no abnormalities and CSF IgG titers for TBEV and A. phagocytophilum were negative. Funduscopic evidence of active papillitis was absent on day 22 in the left eye and on day 86 in the right eye. On day 243, the dog was presented again with lethargy, ataxia, disorientation and temporary head tilt. The IgG titer for TBEV was again elevated in the CSF (1:800) and in serum (1:400). After interpretation of all findings, we assume that meningoencephalitis and optic neuritis in this patient was caused by TBEV and associated immune-mediated inflammation. In endemic areas, TBEV should be considered as cause of optic neuritis in dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15200624/