Bilateral uveitis in a rabbit experimentally infected with human T-lymphotropic virus type I.

BACKGROUND

Among the various diseases associated with human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) infection, HTLV-I-associated uveitis has been proposed as a distinct clinical entity.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Four rabbits experimentally infected with HTLV-I by blood transfusion from an HTLV-I-infected rabbit were observed for development of disease more than 3.5 years. Ophthalmologic, pathologic, hematologic, and virologic studies were performed on a rabbit that developed signs of uveitis.

RESULTS

One of four rabbits developed bilateral uveitis 3.5 years after infection with HTLV-I. Ophthalmologic examination revealed opacities of the anterior chamber, lens, and vitreous body, as well as ciliary injection. Histologic examination demonstrated marked thickening of Descemet's membrane with degeneration of the corneal endothelial cells and mononuclear cell infiltration in the iris and choroid. The normal structure of the retina was almost completely replaced by gliosis. Gene amplification of cells from the left anterior chamber by polymerase chain reaction using pX primers disclosed the presence of HTLV-I sequences and an HTLV-I producing cell line (UV-1) was established from cells of the right anterior chamber.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first indication that rabbits may serve as an animal model of HTLV-I-related uveitis.