Schlüsselwort: Keratitis

Occurrence of CaHV-1 in dogs with conjunctivitis, keratitis and normal ocular findings A recurrent conjunctivitis and/ or keratitis, caused by an infection with canine herpesvirus-1 (CaHV-1), represents a significant limitation of well-being for the affected dogs. The clinical appearance of a primary or recurrent CaHV-1 infection in the eye is depending on age and immune status of the dog. In the literature conjunctivitis is the most common named symptom associated with CaHV-1 infection. It may be single or associated with other symptoms or corneal lesions (Ledbetter et al., 2006, Ledbetter et al., 2009b, Ledbetter et al., 2009c, Malone et al., 2010). Both ulcerative and non-ulcerative keratitides may occur (Ledbetter et al., 2006, Ledbetter et al., 2009c, Ledbetter et al., 2009d, Malone et al., 2010). Corneal ulcers caused by the CaHV-1 affect the surface of the cornea. They are locally limited in a group or linearly arranged (Ledbetter et al., 2009c), and may be punctated, dendritic or geographic (Ledbetter et al., 2006, Ledbetter et al., 2009c, Malone et al., 2010). In this prospective multicenter study, healthy dogs, dogs with conjunctivitis and dogs with keratitis were nationwide opthalmologically examined, sampled and tested for the presence of canine herpesvirus-1. The aim of the study was to test as many dogs as possible in Germany from different signalement for the presence of CaHV-1 in order to draw conclusions about their importance in Germany. Data were collected on age, sex, weight, breed, back and social life. Between April and November 2018, 138 dogs were ophthalmologically examined for the study, 133 of the dogs were included and subsequently subdivided into three groups: eyehealthy dogs (n = 43), dogs with conjunctivitis (n = 46) and dogs with keratitis (n = 44). Cytobrush samples were obtained from the conjunctival sac for PCR analysis. The virological examination for CaHV-1 was negative in all cases. The study involved 133 dogs from 47 different dog breeds, with different signalement, backround and social contacts. Overall the infection with CaHV-1 as causative agent of conjunctivitis and keratitis in Germany compared to the US seems to be less important than expected.