Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome

Overview
Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome (VKH syndrome) is a condition seen in humans and dogs involving various melanocyte-containing organs, characterized by uveitis (inflammation of the inside of the eye), poliosis (whitening of hair), vitiligo (loss of pigment in the skin), and meningitis, although dogs with this syndrome rarely develop meningitis. It is also known as uveodermatologic syndrome. VKH syndrome is an immune-mediated disease.

The mechanism of the disease is thought to be T helper cell mediated autoimmune attack of melanocytes in the skin and uvea of dogs and humans, and in the central nervous system and inner ear of humans.

In humans there is a higher rate of VKH syndrome in people of Asian, Latin, and Mediterranean descent.