Purpose: To evaluate the effect of chloroquine on experimental recurrent au
toimmune melanin-protein-induced uveitis in Lewis rats. Methods: Five Lewis
rats were immunized with melanin to induce uveitis (group I); another six
were immunized and treated with 5 mg/kg/day of chloroquine (group II). To r
einduce uveitis, they received two booster injections of melanin. They were
killed when uveitis was present after the last booster injection; every ey
e was evaluated by means of clinical and histopathological examination. A c
ontrol group of four rats received the same chloroquine dose to evaluate re
tinal toxicity (group III). Results: Rats in group I showed more severe uve
itis episodes than rats in group II. The second uveitis episode was more se
vere in group I than in group I. Rats in group III showed no clinical or hi
stopathological abnormalities. Conclusions: Chloroquine decreased the sever
ity and duration of uveitis, and in two rats it prevented recurrences. Thus
, chloroquine can be considered an effective treatment for chronic, recurre
nt experimental uveitis.