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Ghosh Moulic A, Deshmukh P, Gaurkar SS. A Comprehensive Review on Biofilms in Otorhinolaryngology: Understanding the Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Treatment Strategies. Cureus 2024; 16:e57634. [PMID: 38707023 PMCID: PMC11070220 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.57634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Biofilms, structured communities of microorganisms encased in a self-produced matrix, pose significant challenges in otorhinolaryngology due to their role in chronic and recurrent infections affecting the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) region. This review provides an overview of biofilms, emphasizing their formation, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment strategies in otorhinolaryngological disorders. Biofilms are pivotal in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), otitis media, laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), and tonsillitis, contributing to treatment resistance and disease recurrence. Current diagnostic techniques, including imaging modalities, microbiological cultures, and molecular techniques, are discussed, alongside emerging technologies. Treatment strategies, ranging from conventional antibiotics to alternative therapies, such as biofilm disruptors, phage therapy, and immunomodulation, are evaluated in terms of their efficacy and potential clinical applications. The review underscores the significance of understanding biofilms in otorhinolaryngology and highlights the need for tailored approaches to diagnosis and management to improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayushi Ghosh Moulic
- Otorhinolaryngology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education & Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Prasad Deshmukh
- Otorhinolaryngology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education & Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Sagar S Gaurkar
- Otorhinolaryngology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education & Research, Wardha, IND
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Kingsley NB, Sandmeyer L, Parker SE, Dwyer A, Heden S, Reilly C, Hallendar-Edman A, Archer S, Bellone RR. Risk factors for insidious uveitis in the Knabstrupper breed. Equine Vet J 2023; 55:820-830. [PMID: 36199161 DOI: 10.1111/evj.13879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) is the leading cause of blindness for horses; previous research implicated the leopard complex spotting allele (LP) as a genetic risk factor for insidious uveitis in the Appaloosa. There is limited information about risk in the Knabstrupper. OBJECTIVE To evaluate clinical manifestations, disease frequency and potential risk factors for ERU in Knabstrupper horses. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study. METHODS Ocular examinations were performed on 116 horses, and based on identified anomalies, horses were classified as suspect, ERU-affected or having no clinical signs. Microagglutination testing (MAT) of serum assessed exposure to Leptospira spp. Clinical signs, age, sex, base colour, coat pattern, LP and PATN1 genotypes, percent white at birth, progressive roaning and Leptospira were assessed as risk factors using multivariable exact logistic regression, accounting for clustering at the barn level. Additionally, a pedigree analysis was performed (n = 20 cases and 21 controls), and coefficients of coancestry (CC) and inbreeding were calculated. RESULTS Prevalence of insidious uveitis in this sample of Knabstruppers was 20.7%. Similar to findings for Appaloosas, LP homozygotes had higher odds of uveitis compared with true solid (N/N) horses (LP/LP OR = 7.64, 95% CI [0.8 to +INF], p = 0.04) and age was also identified as a risk factor. After accounting for LP, the 16-20 age group had higher odds compared with the youngest group (OR = 13.36, 95% CI [1.4-213.4], p = 0.009). The distributions of average CC were significantly different between cases and controls (p = 0.01). MAIN LIMITATIONS A relatively small sample size decreased the power for detecting additional associations. The progressive nature of insidious uveitis may have prevented identification of younger affected horses. CONCLUSIONS Our data support genotyping for LP to assess risk of ERU in Knabstruppers. Additional studies are necessary to develop more robust risk models across LP breeds for earlier detection and improved clinical management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole B Kingsley
- Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California - Davis, Davis, California, USA
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Lynne Sandmeyer
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Sarah E Parker
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Ann Dwyer
- Genesee Valley Equine Clinic, LLC, Scottsville, New York, USA
| | | | | | - Anna Hallendar-Edman
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sheila Archer
- Independent Researcher, Sayward, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Rebecca R Bellone
- Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California - Davis, Davis, California, USA
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, California, USA
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Smith HL, Berglund AK, Robertson JB, Schnabel LV, McMullen RJ, Gilger BC, Oh A. Effect of gentamicin on CD3+ T-lymphocyte proliferation for treatment of equine recurrent uveitis: An in vitro study. Vet Ophthalmol 2023. [PMID: 37116984 DOI: 10.1111/vop.13098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to determine the effect of gentamicin on CD3+ T-lymphocyte proliferation and cell viability using an in vitro cell culture model as a means of investigating the mechanism of action of low-dose intravitreal gentamicin injection. ANIMALS STUDIED Three adult horses with no evidence of ophthalmic or systemic disease. PROCEDURE Peripheral blood lymphocytes were treated with gentamicin at concentrations 37.5 μg/mL, 112.5 μg/mL, 187 μg/mL, 375 μg/mL, or 750 μg/mL then stimulated to proliferate with concanavalin A (ConA). 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) and carboxyfluoroscein succinimidyl ester (CSFE) were used as markers of cell viability and cell proliferation, respectively. Following 5-day culture, live cell counts and CSFE fluorescent intensity data were collected via automated cell count and flow cytometry. The experimental design was duplicated using preservative-free gentamicin and a proprietary brand formulation. Statistical analysis was performed using two-way ANOVA with Tukey's multiple comparison test. RESULTS No statistically significant comparisons in CD3+ T-lymphocyte live cell counts and geometric mean fluorescent intensity of CSFE were identified between gentamicin concentrations or formulations. CONCLUSIONS Gentamicin had no effect on equine peripheral blood CD3+ T-lymphocyte cell viability and proliferation in concentrations ranging from "safe" to "retinotoxic" in relation to intravitreal injection volumes. Low-dose intravitreal gentamicin may not suppress the Th1- and Th17-mediated immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah L Smith
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, North Carolina, Raleigh, USA
| | - Alix K Berglund
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, North Carolina, Raleigh, USA
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, North Carolina, Raleigh, USA
| | - James B Robertson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, North Carolina, Raleigh, USA
- Office of Research, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, North Carolina, Raleigh, USA
| | - Lauren V Schnabel
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, North Carolina, Raleigh, USA
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, North Carolina, Raleigh, USA
| | - Richard J McMullen
- JT Vaughan Large Animal Teaching Hospital, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Alabama, Auburn, USA
| | - Brian C Gilger
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, North Carolina, Raleigh, USA
| | - Annie Oh
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, North Carolina, Raleigh, USA
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Analysis of 1840 Equine Intraocular Fluid Samples for the Presence of Anti-Leptospira Antibodies and Leptospiral DNA and the Correlation to Ophthalmologic Findings in Terms of Equine Recurrent Uveitis (ERU)—A Retrospective Study. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9080448. [PMID: 36006363 PMCID: PMC9414351 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9080448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In horses, the chronic intraocular leptospiral infection has been shown to cause equine recurrent uveitis (ERU). This inflammatory ophthalmic disease recurs for years and usually leads to blindness. Only recently it was found that biofilm formation of the leptospires in the vitreous cavity leads to uveitis recurrences and prevents effective elimination of the infection by antibiotics or by the immune system. The most effective treatment is vitrectomy (lavage of the vitreous cavity), which mechanically removes the biofilm infection. This surgery has been performed in horses for more than 30 years, and thousands of intraocular specimens have been analyzed for antibodies directed against leptospires and by PCR for leptospiral DNA. For the present study, medical records were retrospectively analyzed. Complete medical and laboratory records were available for 1800 intraocular specimens from horses treated from 2002 to 2017 (1387 specimens from ERU-eyes, 237 specimens from eyes affected with another type of uveitis, and 216 specimens from healthy eyes). In 83% of intraocular samples from ERU eyes, antibodies were detectable, and especially the detection of immunoglobulin A (IgA) seems to play an important role. In 72% of the intraocular specimens, leptospiral DNA was detectable by PCR. No antibodies were detectable in the samples from eyes with another type of uveitis or in the samples from healthy eyes. A PCR was positive in only one sample from a healthy eye. These results with a very high number of intraocular specimens demonstrate the great importance of an intraocular leptospiral infection for ERU. It can be concluded that for a reliable diagnosis of intraocular leptospiral infection or to reliably exclude an infection, multiple tests should be applied. Abstract In the equine clinic of the LMU in Munich, therapeutic vitrectomies have been routinely performed in horses for three decades. The vitreous samples obtained during vitrectomies were usually tested for anti-Leptospira antibodies and for more than 20 years also by PCR for leptospiral DNA. If the indication for surgery was ophthalmologically inconclusive, an aqueous humor was collected preoperatively and examined for evidence of leptospiral infection. In this study, medical records from 2002 to 2017 were analyzed. Records for 1387 eyes affected by equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) and 237 eyes affected by another type of uveitis met the inclusion criteria. A total of 216 samples from healthy eyes were used as controls. In 83% of intraocular samples from ERU eyes, antibody titers of 1:100 or higher were detectable by microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Similarly, 83% of intraocular samples had anti-Leptospira antibodies detected by ELISA. In 72% of the intraocular specimens, leptospiral DNA was detectable by PCR. No antibodies were detectable in the samples from eyes with another type of uveitis or in the samples from healthy eyes. A PCR was positive in only one sample from a healthy eye. These results with a very high number of intraocular specimens demonstrate the great importance of an intraocular leptospiral infection for ERU. It can be concluded that for a reliable diagnosis of intraocular leptospiral infection or to reliably exclude an infection multiple tests should be applied.
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Meganathan Y, Vishwakarma A, Mohandass R. Biofilm formation and social interaction of Leptospira in natural and artificial environments. Res Microbiol 2022; 173:103981. [PMID: 35926730 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2022.103981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
In the recent decades, there has been increased interest in the study on social interactions of pathogenic bacteria and biofilm-forming microbes. Leptospira is a zoonotic pathogen that causes human leptospirosis. Biofilm formation by pathogenic and saprophytic Leptospira has been documented in various biotic and abiotic environments. Biofilm supports cell growth and protects them from a variety of environmental stress. Pathogenic bacterial biofilm might increase the virulence and pathogenesis. However, research on the social behaviour and biofilm production by Leptospira is limited. This review discusses the interplay between the different species in the biofilm formation of saprophytic and pathogenic Leptospira and potential future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yogesan Meganathan
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Genetic Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur 603203, Chengalapattu, TN, India
| | - Archana Vishwakarma
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Genetic Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur 603203, Chengalapattu, TN, India
| | - Ramya Mohandass
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Genetic Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur 603203, Chengalapattu, TN, India.
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Sykes JE, Haake DA, Gamage CD, Mills WZ, Nally JE. A global one health perspective on leptospirosis in humans and animals. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2022; 260:1589-1596. [PMID: 35895801 DOI: 10.2460/javma.22.06.0258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a quintessential one health disease of humans and animals caused by pathogenic spirochetes of the genus Leptospira. Intra- and interspecies transmission is dependent on 1) reservoir host animals in which organisms replicate and are shed in urine over long periods of time, 2) the persistence of spirochetes in the environment, and 3) subsequent human-animal-environmental interactions. The combination of increased flooding events due to climate change, changes in human-animal-environmental interactions as a result of the pandemic that favor a rise in the incidence of leptospirosis, and under-recognition of leptospirosis because of nonspecific clinical signs and severe signs that resemble COVID-19 represents a "perfect storm" for resurgence of leptospirosis in people and domestic animals. Although often considered a disease that occurs in warm, humid climates with high annual rainfall, pathogenic Leptospira spp have recently been associated with disease in animals and humans that reside in semiarid regions like the southwestern US and have impacted humans that have a wide spectrum of socioeconomic backgrounds. Therefore, it is critical that physicians, veterinarians, and public health experts maintain a high index of suspicion for the disease regardless of geographic and socioeconomic circumstances and work together to understand outbreaks and implement appropriate control measures. Over the last decade, major strides have been made in our understanding of the disease because of improvements in diagnostic tests, molecular epidemiologic tools, educational efforts on preventive measures, and vaccines. These novel approaches are highlighted in the companion Currents in One Health by Sykes et al, AJVR, September 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane E Sykes
- 1Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA
| | - David A Haake
- 2VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA.,3David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Chandika D Gamage
- 4Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
| | | | - Jarlath E Nally
- 6National Animal Disease Center, Agriculture Research Service, USDA, Ames, IA
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Bonhomme D, Werts C. Host and Species-Specificities of Pattern Recognition Receptors Upon Infection With Leptospira interrogans. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:932137. [PMID: 35937697 PMCID: PMC9353586 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.932137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic infectious disease affecting all vertebrates. It is caused by species of the genus Leptospira, among which are the highly pathogenic L. interrogans. Different mammals can be either resistant or susceptible to the disease which can present a large variety of symptoms. Humans are mostly asymptomatic after infection but can have in some cases symptoms varying from a flu-like syndrome to more severe forms such as Weil’s disease, potentially leading to multiorgan failure and death. Similarly, cattle, pigs, and horses can suffer from acute forms of the disease, including morbidity, abortion, and uveitis. On the other hand, mice and rats are resistant to leptospirosis despite chronical colonization of the kidneys, excreting leptospires in urine and contributing to the transmission of the bacteria. To this date, the immune mechanisms that determine the severity of the infection and that confer susceptibility to leptospirosis remain enigmatic. To our interest, differential immune sensing of leptospires through the activation of or escape from pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) by microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) has recently been described. In this review, we will summarize these findings that suggest that in various hosts, leptospires differentially escape recognition by some Toll-like and NOD-like receptors, including TLR4, TLR5, and NOD1, although TLR2 and NLRP3 responses are conserved independently of the host. Overall, we hypothesize that these innate immune mechanisms could play a role in determining host susceptibility to leptospirosis and suggest a central, yet complex, role for TLR4.
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Kingsley NB, Sandmeyer L, Bellone RR. A review of investigated risk factors for developing equine recurrent uveitis. Vet Ophthalmol 2022; 26:86-100. [PMID: 35691017 DOI: 10.1111/vop.13002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) is an ocular inflammatory disease that can be difficult to manage clinically. As such, it is the leading cause of bilateral blindness for horses. ERU is suspected to have a complex autoimmune etiology with both environmental and genetic risk factors contributing to onset and disease progression in some or all cases. Work in recent years has aimed at unraveling the primary triggers, such as infectious agents and inherited breed-specific risk factors, for disease onset, persistence, and progression. This review has aimed at encompassing those factors that have been associated, implicated, or substantiated as contributors to ERU, as well as identifying areas for which additional knowledge is needed to better understand risk for disease onset and progression. A greater understanding of the risk factors for ERU will enable earlier detection and better prognosis through prevention and new therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole B Kingsley
- Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California - Davis, Davis, California, USA.,Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California - Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Lynne Sandmeyer
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Rebecca R Bellone
- Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California - Davis, Davis, California, USA.,Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California - Davis, Davis, California, USA
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Fingerhut L, Yücel L, Strutzberg-Minder K, von Köckritz-Blickwede M, Ohnesorge B, de Buhr N. Ex Vivo and In Vitro Analysis Identify a Detrimental Impact of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps on Eye Structures in Equine Recurrent Uveitis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:830871. [PMID: 35251020 PMCID: PMC8896353 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.830871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) is a common ocular disease of horses and described as a model for human autoimmune uveitis. This immune-mediated, inflammatory condition progressively destroys the eye, ultimately leading to blindness. Genetic and autoimmune factors, next to infections with Leptospira, are discussed as key factors in the pathogenesis. Furthermore, a release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) by activated neutrophils is involved. NETs are composed of decondensed chromatin and proteins that can immobilize invading pathogens. However, if NETs accumulate, they can contribute to detrimental autoimmune processes. Thus, we aimed to investigate the impact of NETs in ERU patients. Therefore, we quantified several NET-markers (cell-free DNA, nucleosomes, citrullinated histone H3, histone-myeloperoxidase complexes, interleukin-17, equine cathelicidin 1 and DNase I activity) and NET-autoantibodies in sera and vitreous body fluids (VBF) of ERU-diseased horses and correlated the data with the disease status (signalment, ERU scores and Leptospira infection status). NET markers were detected to varying degrees in VBF of diseased horses, and partially correlated to disease severity and the presence of Leptospira spp. Cell-free DNA and nucleosomes as NET markers correlate with ERU severity in total and VBF scores, despite the presence of active DNases. Additionally, a significant correlation between fundus affection in the eye and NET autoantibodies was detectable. Therefore, we further investigated the influence of VBF samples from equine patients and isolated NETs on the blood-retina barrier in a cell culture model. VBF of diseased horses significantly induced cytotoxicity in retinal pigment epithelial cells. Moreover, partially digested NETs also resulted in cytotoxic effects. In the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the main component of the leptospiral surface, both undigested and completely digested NETs were cytotoxic. Correlations between the ERU-scores and Leptospira were also calculated. Detection of leptospiral DNA, and antibody titers of the serovar Grippotyphosa correlated with disease severity. In addition, a correlation between Leptospira and several NET markers was observed in VBF. Altogether, our findings suggest a positive correlation between NET markers with disease severity and involvement of Leptospira in the VBF of ERU-diseased horses, as well as a cytotoxic effect of NETs in eyes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonie Fingerhut
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany.,Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses (RIZ), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany.,Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Leyla Yücel
- Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany.,Institute for Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Maren von Köckritz-Blickwede
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany.,Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses (RIZ), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Bernhard Ohnesorge
- Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Nicole de Buhr
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany.,Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses (RIZ), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
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Wollanke B, Gerhards H, Ackermann K. Infectious Uveitis in Horses and New Insights in Its Leptospiral Biofilm-Related Pathogenesis. Microorganisms 2022; 10:387. [PMID: 35208842 PMCID: PMC8875353 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10020387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Uveitis is a sight-threatening eye disease in equids known worldwide that leads to considerable pain and suffering. By far the most common type of uveitis in Germany and neighboring countries is classical equine recurrent uveitis (ERU), which is caused by chronic intraocular leptospiral infection and is the main cause of infectious uveitis in horses. Other infectious causes are extremely rare and are usually clinically distinguishable from ERU. ERU can be treated very effectively by vitreous cavity lavage (vitrectomy). For proper indications of this demanding surgery, it is necessary to differentiate ERU from other types of uveitis in which vitrectomy is not helpful. This can be conducted on the basis of anamnesis in combination with ophthalmologic findings and by aqueous humor examination. During vitrectomy, vitreous material is obtained. These vitreous samples have historically been used for numerous etiologic studies. In this way, a chronic intraocular leptospiral infection has been shown to be the cause of typical ERU and, among other findings, ERU has also been recognized as a biofilm infection, providing new insights into the pathogenesis of ERU and explaining some thus far unexplainable phenomena of ERU. ERU may not only have transmissible aspects to some types of uveitis in humans but may also serve as a model for a spontaneously occurring biofilm infection. Vitreous material obtained during therapeutically indicated vitrectomy can be used for further studies on in vivo biofilm formation, biofilm composition and possible therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bettina Wollanke
- Equine Clinic, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, 80539 Munich, Germany; (H.G.); (K.A.)
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11
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Detection of Anti-LipL32 Antibodies in Serum Samples from Horses with Chronic Intraocular Infection with Leptospira spp. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10101325. [PMID: 34684272 PMCID: PMC8537251 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10101325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) is typically caused by chronic intraocular leptospiral infection in warm-blooded horses in central Europe. The most effective therapy for leptospiral-induced ERU is the surgical removal of diseased vitreous (vitrectomy). Since vitrectomy is a highly specialized and invasive surgery, the indication must be determined very carefully. In order to obtain evidence of intraocular leptospiral infection by laboratory diagnostics in questionable leptospiral ERU-cases, sampling of aqueous humor is required, because serum tests using microscopic agglutination test (MAT) are too unspecific. The SNAP Lepto is a cross-species rapid test for the detection of anti-Lipl32 antibodies that has a high sensitivity (0.97) and specificity (1.00) for the detection of anti-leptospiral antibodies using aqueous humor or vitreous samples, which is comparable to MAT. To evaluate sensitivity and specificity of SNAP Lepto using serum, serum samples from 90 horses with confirmed leptospiral ERU and from 103 ocularly healthy horses were tested by both MAT and SNAP Lepto. Sensitivity was similar for both tests (0.82 vs. 0.79), but specificity was lower for MAT (0.52 vs. 0.95). Sensitivity and specificity are therefore lower in serum samples compared to intraocular samples, however, the SNAP Lepto is far superior to MAT and suitable as a screening method using equine serum.
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