To report an unprecedented case of uveitis secondary to anaplasmosis in a newborn Dutch calf.

A six-hours-old calf with a history of fever, apathy, lack of appetite and ocular discomfort was presented for ophthalmic evolution. A routine ophthalmic examination was performed, including Schirmer tear test, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy and applanation tonometry. Blood samples were also collected for blood smear, hemogram and seric biochemistry.

The Schirmer tear test values, were increased intraocular pressure was lowered, conjunctival vascular congestion and hemorrhage, anterior uveitis, corneal edema and ciliary injection with corneal vascularization extending 2 to 3 mm from the limbus were observed in both eyes. The blood smear evidenced Anaplasma marginale corpuscles in parasited red blood cells. The blood cells count was normal except for the hemoparasites presence. As serum biochemistry levels were within the normal ranges. One single subconjunctival application of 0.05 ml of 5% betamethasone was uveitis control in both eyes. The protocol for anaplasmosis treatment consisted of 10 mg/Kg of oxitetracycline bid, for tree days, via intramuscular injection. The ophthalmic findings and the presence of Anaplasma marginale corpuscles in parasited red blood cells indicated that the systemic a infection may have induced the chronic uveitis.

The authors conclude that the A. marginale systemic infection was the primary cause of the chronic uveitis. This sort of infection must be suspected when a bovine with bilateral uveitis is examined.