Open Access
Research (Published online: 21-01-2023)
16. Comparison of topical 0.03% tacrolimus and homologous injectable platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of keratoconjunctivitis sicca in dogs
Giovana José Garcia Estanho, João Victor Goulart Consoni Passareli, Letícia da Silva Pando, Daniel Espinhosa Vieira, Gisele Alborghetti Nai, Cecília Laposy Santarém, and Silvia Franco Andrade
Veterinary World, 16(1): 134-143

Giovana José Garcia Estanho: Post-graduate Program in Animal Science, UNOESTE, Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Brazil.
João Victor Goulart Consoni Passareli: Post-graduate Program in Animal Science, UNOESTE, Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Brazil.
Letícia da Silva Pando: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, UNOESTE, Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Brazil.
Daniel Espinhosa Vieira: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, UNOESTE, Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Brazil.
Gisele Alborghetti Nai: Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, UNOESTE, Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Brazil.
Cecília Laposy Santarém: Post-graduate Program in Animal Science, UNOESTE, Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Brazil.
Silvia Franco Andrade: Department of Veterinary Ophthalmology, Veterinary Hospital, UNOESTE, Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Brazil.

doi: www.doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2023.134-143

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Article history: Received: 06-09-2022, Accepted: 06-12-2022, Published online: 21-01-2023

Corresponding author: João Victor Goulart Consoni Passareli

E-mail: joaovictor_p@hotmail.com

Citation: Estanho GJG, Passareli JVGC, Pando LS, Vieira DE, Nai GA, Santarém CL, and Andrade SF (2023) Comparison of topical 0.03% tacrolimus and homologous injectable platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of keratoconjunctivitis sicca in dogs, Veterinary World, 16(1): 134–143.
Abstract

Background and Aim: Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) is predominantly an immune-mediated chronic inflammatory ocular disease that is commonly diagnosed in dogs. This study aimed to compare the conventional use of topical immunosuppressant tacrolimus 0.03% eye drops and a new therapy injectable homologous platelet-rich plasma (HPRP) into the third eyelid gland and inferior and superior palpebral conjunctiva of dogs with KCS.

Materials and Methods: A total of 66 eyes from 33 dogs were evaluated. The eyes were divided into three equal groups: Negative control group, tacrolimus group (TG), and homologous platelet-rich plasma group (HPRPG). The animals were evaluated using the Schirmer's tear test-1 (STT-1), osmolarity test (OT), strip meniscometry test (SMT), tear film break-up test (TBUT), fluorescein test, lissamine green test (LGT), and cytological and histopathological analyses.

Results: In TG, there was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the STT-1 and SMT values, and goblet cell count in the palpebral conjunctiva by the end of the study. In HPRPG, 36% (four dogs) received three applications, 55% (six dogs) received two applications, and 9% (one dog) received one application before the initial ocular signs improved. There was a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the lymphocyte and neutrophil counts of the palpebral conjunctiva in HPRPG than in TG. Both groups showed equivalent improvements in TBUT, OT, and LGT values.

Conclusion: Tacrolimus 0.03% eye drops were more efficient than HPRP in increasing tear production and the number of goblet cells. However, injectable HPRP was more efficient than tacrolimus in decreasing the number of conjunctival inflammatory cells. Treatment with injectable HPRP requires an average of two to three applications, is safe and feasible, and can be used as a cheaper alternative or as an adjuvant to conventional treatment with topical immunosuppressants.

Keywords: dogs, homologous platelet-rich plasma, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, tacrolimus 0.03%.