Corneal ulceration associated with naturally occurring canine herpesvirus-1 infection in two adult dogs.
METHODS
An 8-year-old Labrador Retriever with diabetes mellitus in which bilateral phacoemulsification had been performed 3 weeks earlier was evaluated for acute onset of blepharospasm, and a 7-year-old Miniature Schnauzer with chronic immune-mediated thrombocytopenia was reevaluated for keratoconjunctivitis sicca that had been diagnosed 4 weeks earlier.


RESULTS
Dendritic corneal ulcerations were detected in both dogs. Canine herpesvirus-1 (CHV-1) was isolated from corneal swab specimens obtained during the initial evaluation of each dog and during recheck examinations performed until the ulcerations were healed. Canine herpesvirus-1 serum neutralization titers were detected in both dogs. Results of virus isolation from oropharyngeal and genital swab specimens were negative for both dogs. The isolated viruses were identified as CHV-1 via immunofluorescence, transmission electron microscopy, PCR assay, and gene sequencing. Negative controls for PCR assay and virus isolation included conjunctival swab specimens from 50 dogs without extraocular disease and corneal swab specimens from 50 dogs with corneal ulcers, respectively.


RESULTS
Lesions resolved in both dogs after topical administration of idoxuridine or trifluridine and discontinuation of topically administered immunosuppressive medications.


CONCLUSIONS
To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of corneal ulcerations associated with naturally occurring CHV-1 infection and may represent local ocular recrudescence of latent CHV-1 infection. The viruses isolated were identified as CHV-1, and the morphology, antigenicity, and genotype were similar to those for CHV-1 isolates obtained from a puppy that died from systemic CHV-1 infection.
Ledbetter
Eric C
EC
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
Riis
Ronald C
RC
Kern
Thomas J
TJ
Haley
Nicholas J
NJ
Schatzberg
Scott J
SJ
D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D002184:Herpesvirus 1, Canid / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007065:Idoxuridine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014271:Trifluridine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007065:Idoxuridine; D014271:Trifluridine