Metaherpetic corneal disease in a dog associated with partial limbal stem cell deficiency and neurotrophic keratitis

Abstract

Similar to herpes simplex virus keratitis in humans, CHV-1 ulcerative keratitis may be associated with the development of chronic degenerative corneal disease in dogs. In the described dog, this chronic corneal disease included progressive corneal opacification because of partial limbal stem cell deficiency and neurotrophic keratitis. Long-term monitoring of dogs following resolution of active CHV-1 keratitis may be indicated, particularly when ulcerations persist for an extended period.

In vivo ocular imaging of the cornea of the normal female laboratory beagle using confocal microscopy

“…For example, IVCM is currently the only diagnostic modality commercially available to evaluate corneal nerves in vivo . A limited number of IVCM studies of the canine anterior segment have been published . However, none of these studies have focused on the laboratory beagle despite its wide use in the development of ophthalmic drugs and devices.…”

Mini-Review: Limbal Stem Cells Deficiency in Companion Animals: Time to Give Something Back?

“…Recently, a report of a canine with possible LSCD and conjunctivalization of the cornea caused by Canine Herpes Virus -1 was also diagnosed with a neurotrophic keratitis (Ledbetter EC et al 2013). Interestingly, the authors postulated based on the studies of others (Cavanah HD and Colley AM 1989, Lambiase A et al 2000, Touhami A et al 2002, Ueno H et al 2012, a potential negative effect of corneal sensory nerve depletion on the LESC leading to or aggravating the LSCD.…”

“…Similarly to humans with LSCD, there are corneal conditions in animals in which corneal disease is strongly suspected to result in LSCD, such as with canine herpes virus -1 keratitis (Ledbetter EC et al 2013). Chemical damage to the cornea in dogs can lead to corneal changes that also share many similarities with LSCD in humans (Christmas R 1991).…”

“…In addition to the dog described by Ledbetter et al (2013), the only other corneal disease described as LSCD in a canine patient was related to an accidental alkali burn (da Cunha et al 2010). However, the diagnosis was supported by the extrapolation of results from similar problems in humans, and not through investigation of the disease process in the dog cornea.…”

“…An interesting report of a canine veterinary patient with metaherpetic disease of the corneas used in vivo corneal confocal microscopic to demonstrate the conjunctival phenotype of the diseased corneal epithelium (Ledbetter EC et al 2013). However, the authors did not include healthy controls to allow for comparisons of limbal microanatomy.…”