Brucella canis-induced anterior uveitis in companion dogs in Ahvaz, Iran

Abstract

Canine brucellosis, caused by Brucella canis, is an important cause of abortions, stillbirths, uveitis, epididymitis, orchitis, and sperm abnormalities in dogs. Anterior uveitis is one of the most common ocular diseases in dogs. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and diagnostic features of anterior uveitis in dogs affected with B. canis in the Ahvaz district, southwestern Iran. A total of 243 blood samples were obtained from urban dogs between 2006 and 2010 and examined by immuno-chromatography assay (Anigen Rapid C. Brucella Ab Test Kit). Prevalence to B. canis antibodies was 6.58 % (16 out of 243) in the studied dogs. B. canis-induced anterior uveitis was seen in two German Shepherd dogs (12.5 %; 2 out of 16), the first was a 3.5-year-old male and the second was a 2.5-year-old female. Clinical ophthalmologic abnormalities included moderate anterior uveitis, mild conjunctival hyperemia, and iris hyperpigmentation. Following routine treatment (a median of 9 weeks from the onset of therapy), ocular inflammation resolved and serological tests were negative. The present study shows that ocular inflammation due to B. canis is present among the urban dog population in the Ahvaz district, Iran. B. canis infection should be included in the differential diagnosis for dogs with intraocular inflammation, regardless of previous history.