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The etiology of uveitis: the role of infections with special reference to Lyme borreliosis.

PURPOSE: To assess the distribution of different uveitis entities and to evaluate their associations with infections, especially Lyme borreliosis. METHODS: During a one-year period 160 consecutive uveitis patients were evaluated in a university clinic. Selected tests were performed depending on the medical history of the patient and the clinical picture of the ocular inflammation. RESULTS: Uveitis was classified into selected entities for 74.4% of the patients. A direct infection was suggested to be linked with uveitis in 23 patients (14.4%). Lyme borreliosis, toxoplasmosis, and herpetic infections were the most frequently seen, in seven patients (4.3%) each. All patients with Lyme uveitis had manifestations of the posterior segment of the eye, such as vitritis, retinal vasculitis, neuroretinitis, chorioretinitis, or optic neuropathy. CONCLUSION: Infections are an important cause of uveitis in a university clinic. Lyme borreliosis is a newly recognised uveitis entity which should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of intermediate or posterior uveitis in areas endemic for Lyme borreliosis.

Adolescent↗

Efficacy of interferon alpha in the treatment of refractory and sight threatening uveitis: a retrospective monocentric study of 45 patients.

AIM: Severe uveitis is potentially associated with visual impairment or blindness in young patients. Therapeutic strategies remain controversial. The efficacy of interferon alpha-2a (IFN-alpha2a) in severe uveitis, refractory to steroids and conventional immunosuppressive agents, was evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were included after a major relapse of uveitis following corticosteroids and immunosuppressants. IFN-alpha2a (3 million units three times a week) was administered subcutaneously. Efficacy was assessed by improvement in visual acuity, decrease in vitreous haze, resolution of retinal vasculitis and macular oedema, assessed by fundus examination and fluorescein angiography, and decrease in oral prednisone threshold. RESULTS: 45 patients were included. Median age was 32.3 years (range 8-58) and sex ratio (F/M) was 0.66. Uveitis was associated with Behçet's disease in 23 cases (51.1%) and with other entities in 22 cases (48.9%). Median duration of uveitis before interferon therapy was 34.9 months (range 3.4-168.7) and an average of 3.26 relapses following corticosteroids and immunosuppressants was noted. Uveitis was controlled in 82.6% of patients with Behçet's disease and 59% of patients with other types of uveitis (p = 0.07). During a mean follow-up of 29.6 months (range 14-55), median oral prednisone threshold decreased significantly from 23.6 mg/day (range 16-45) to 10 mg/d (range 4-14) (p<0.001). Interferon was discontinued in 10 patients (22.2%) with Behçet's disease and in four patients without Behçet's disease. Relapses occurred in four and one cases, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Interferon therapy appears to be an efficient strategy in severe and relapsing forms of Behçet's disease but also in other uveitic entities. However, it seems to act more to suspend rather than cure the disease. Therefore, IFN-alpha2a may be proposed as a secondline strategy after failure of conventional immunosuppressants.

Adolescent↗

Coxsackievirus B3-associated panuveitis.

A 29-year-old woman suffered from headaches, diarrhoea, and high grade fever followed by a unilateral retinal vasculitis, papillitis, and chorioretinitis. Abnormal electrocardiographic findings and antibody titre dynamics strongly suggested a coxsackievirus B3 infection. With respect to prior observations on coxsackievirus B group associated uveitis this viral infection may be considered in patients with well defined extraocular manifestations and uveitis.

Adult↗

Human T lymphotropic virus type 1 uveitis.

The human retroviruses, HTLV-I and HIV, are playing clinically important roles in a variety of ocular disorders, particularly in uveitis. Both viruses are integrated in the genome of infected T cells. HIV-I infection causes the death of the infected T cells, thereby affecting the host defence system and causing AIDS. Subsequent opportunistic infections of ocular tissues, such as CMV retinitis, are a serious problem in clinical ophthalmology all over the world. Another human retrovirus, HTLV-I, has been known as the causative agent of T cell malignancies (ATL and T cell lymphoma) and chronic myelopathy (HAM/TSP), and is now recognised as a causative agent for a specific type of intraocular inflammation characterised by vitreous opacities with mild iritis and mild retinal vasculitis (HTLV-I uveitis). The mechanism by which HTLV-I causes uveitis is still unknown, but our recent data suggest that it is most probably an immune mediated mechanism by activated CD4 T cells infected with the virus. HTLV-I uveitis, therefore, may implicate a significant role of retroviruses in autoimmune diseases and further the pathogenesis of diseases with infection/autoimmune overlap.

HIV Infections↗

Modulation of lens-induced uveitis by dimethyl sulfoxide.

Experimental lens-induced uveitis was produced in Lewis rats by sensitization with bovine lens protein prior to disruption of the lens capsule. Treatment of these animals by intraperitoneal injection of dimethyl sulfoxide resulted in reduction in retinal vasculitis, hemorrhage and necrosis. Furthermore, morphometric analysis of choroidal inflammation revealed significant reduction of choroidal thickness in the treated animals. These findings suggest that hydroxyl radicals play a role in producing ocular tissue damage in the acute Arthus-type of ocular inflammation.

Animals↗

Treatment of pars planitis with cryotherapy.

Cryotherapy was performed on 28 eyes exhibiting massive exudates (snowbank) over the pars plana and the ora serrata. Twenty-six patients ranging in age from 8 to 52 years were treated and then followed up for a median of 34 months. Eleven eyes needed repeat cryotherapy. After cryotherapy, retinal vasculitis and vitreous opacities decreased in most eyes. Although only 3 of 5 eyes with a snowbank greater than 90 degrees and treated over 1 year from the onset achieved visual acuity of 20/25 or better, all 12 eyes with a snowbank smaller than 60 degrees and treated within 3 months after the onset maintained a visual acuity of 20/25 or better. The prognosis was not different from the 20 eyes that received systemic steroid treatment and the 8 eyes that received no systemic steroids. We recommend cryotherapy as the primary treatment for pars planitis with a snowbank.

Adolescent↗

Delayed-onset postoperative endophthalmitis caused by Hafnia alvei.

PURPOSE: To identify Hafnia alvei as an etiological factor of delayed-onset endophthalmitis. CASE REPORT: A 68-year-old woman had uneventful cataract extraction by phacoemulsification with foldable posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation under topical anesthesia in the left eye. Four weeks later, the patient presented anterior uveitis treated by topical corticosteroids. Seven weeks later a posterior uveitis with retinal vasculitis appeared. The patient was treated by systemic and intravitreal corticosteroids without result. Due to the poor course pars plana vitrectomy was done, and a vitreous sample was taken. Microbiologic examination disclosed Hafnia alvei, gram-negative bacteria rarely isolated from human specimens. CONCLUSIONS: Hafnia alvei should be considered in the etiology of delayed-onset endophthalmitis.

Aged↗

Retinal periphlebitis resembling frosted branch angiitis with nonperfused central retinal vein occlusion.

PURPOSE: To report the unusual association between severe retinal periphlebitis resembling frosted branch angiitis and nonperfused central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). METHODS: Observational case reports. RESULTS: Patient 1 was a 28-year-old man who presented with extensive sheathing involving all retinal veins in one eye followed by nonperfused CRVO. Twenty-seven months after initial presentation, he developed perfused CRVO in the other eye followed by periphlebitis that progressed into nonperfused CRVO. Patient 2 was a 47-year-old man who presented with unilateral severe retinal periphlebitis associated with nonperfused CRVO. Despite systemic administration of corticosteroid therapy, rubeosis iridis developed in both patients and neovascular glaucoma developed in Patient 1 despite full panretinal photocoagulation. Extensive systemic workup and coagulation studies were unremarkable except for the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies in both patients and elevated plasma homocysteine level in Patient 2. CONCLUSIONS: Severe retinal periphlebitis complicated by nonperfused CRVO is associated with poor visual outcome despite appropriate medical and surgical treatment.

Adult↗

Potential new therapeutic options in Behçet's syndrome.

Behçet's syndrome is a multisystem disorder that causes orogenital ulceration, skin lesions and intraocular inflammation with uveitis and retinal vasculitis. A proportion of affected individuals also develop vascular and central nervous system manifestations, with significant morbidity and mortality. Although the aetiopathogenesis of Behçet's syndrome is poorly understood, the condition is considered to be driven, at least in part, by autoimmune mechanisms. Conventional therapy relies on available anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory agents, and, in view of the paucity of controlled clinical trials, it is to a large extent empirical. Oral ulcers can often be treated by topical application of corticosteroids. In addition to corticosteroids, agents used to treat ocular inflammation and significant systemic manifestations include colchicine, thalidomide, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, cyclosporin, tacrolimus, cyclophosphamide and chlorambucil. The response to these agents is variable and there is a distinct need for more effective rational treatment. Over the last decade, a number of open studies have produced promising results using recombinant interferon-alpha preparations. Evaluating, in a methodical manner, the other new biological agents that are becoming available for the treatment of inflammatory diseases offers great promise, not only for effective management but also for providing insights into aetiopathogenesis.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗

Preclinical and clinical study of FK506 in uveitis.

Efficacy of a new immunosuppressive agent, FK506, in refractory uveitis was studied in 8 patients: 5 with Behcet's disease and 3 with idiopathic retinal vasculitis. The agent was given by oral administration every 12 hours. The previous therapy with systemic corticosteroids or immunosuppressive agents including cyclosporine failed to subside uveitis in these cases. During the observation period of 21.6 +/- 7.8 weeks (mean +/- SD) under FK506 at doses with 0.05, 0.1, 0.15 or 0.2 mg/kg/day, the visual acuity was increased in 44% of treated eyes, unchanged in 44% and decreased in 12%. The inflammatory activity in the ocular fundus was improved in 69% and unchanged in 6% of treated eyes. The effects of FK506 on uveitis by the criteria of improvement of visual acuity and uveitis activity was dose-dependent: 0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg/day were ineffective but 0.15 and 0.2 mg/kg/day were effective in most cases. One patient with Behcet's disease converted from cyclosporine developed moderate renal impairment in 4 weeks under FK506 and the therapy was discontinued in 8 weeks, though the uveitis activity as well as visual acuity was markedly improved. Other 7 cases had no side effect of FK506. Although the number of cases was small and observation period was short, the present clinical data indicate that FK506 is effective to treat refractory uveitis.

Administration, Oral↗

Clinical analysis of uveitis.

Uveitis can be classified in a variety of ways and this fact makes it difficult to compare results. Therefore we classified uveitis by the location with the method of Henderly; anterior-, posterior-, intermediate- and panuveitis. We determined the frequency of occurrence, etiology and clinical characteristics of various forms of uveitis. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 683 patients with uveitis seen at Seoul National University Hospital from January 1978, to December 1987. The results were as follows. 1. 192 cases (28.1%) occurred as anterior uveitis, 218 cases (31.9%) as posterior uveitis, 166 cases (24.3%) as panuveitis and 107 cases (15.7%) as pars planitis. Posterior uveitis was the most common form of uveitis. 2. In cases of anterior uveitis, 142 cases (74.0%) were idiopathic, traumatic uveitis was seen in 18 cases. In posterior-uveitis, 111 cases (50.9%) were idiopathic, retinal vasculitis including Eales' disease in 60 cases (27.5%), toxoplasmosis in 23 cases (10.6%). In cases of panuveitis, idiopathic form occurred in 80 cases (48.2%), Behçet's disease in 41 cases (24.7%). The idiopathic form was the most common entity in all locations of uveitis.

Adolescent↗

Epidemiological features of Adamantiades-Behçet's disease in Germany and in Europe.

The German Registry of Adamantiades-Behçet's disease was founded in 1990 in Berlin and it provides current data on the epidemiology, the clinical manifestations and the course of the disease in Germany on a continuous basis. A total of 218 patients, including 89 German and 100 Turkish patients, had been reported to the German Registry until October 1997. One hundred and ninety-six patients fulfilled the criteria of the Behçet's disease classification tree. The prevalence of the disease evaluated in Berlin-West was 1.68/100,000 in 1989 and had risen to 2.26/100,000 by 1994. The median age of onset was 25 years (range 5 to 66 years; German-Turks, ns). Juvenile disease was recorded in 6.9% of patients. The complete clinical picture according to the criteria of the International Study Group of Behçet's Disease developed in 15.5 months. The interval between onset of the disease and diagnosis was 35 months, which was significantly longer than the duration of the development of the complete clinical picture (p < 0.0001). The disease was diagnosed later in German (48.5 months) than in Turkish patients (25.5 months, p = 0.003). While German patients presented an equal male-to-female ratio, a male predominance was shown in Turkish patients (M:F 2.1:1, p = 0.022). Familial occurrence was detected in 2.0% of German and 15.9% of Turkish patients (p = 0.013). The frequencies of major clinical manifestations were: oral ulcers 99%, skin lesions 76%, genital ulcers 75%, ocular manifestations 59%, arthritis 59%, and positive pathergy test 52%. Clinical differences between German and Turkish patients were only found in the frequency of ocular lesions (48% vs. 66%, p = 0.025). Oral ulcers were with 72% the most common onset symptom of the disease followed by erythema nodosum (9%), uveitis (7%), arthritis (7%), genital ulcers (3%), superficial thrombophlebitis (2%) and papules/sterile pustules (2%). Uveitis and erythema nodosum as onset symptoms shortened the median interval to diagnosis to 1.5 and 15 months, respectively, while arthritis delayed diagnosis (43.5 months; p = 0.029). A severe course developed in 25% of the patients; irreversible retinal vasculitis to blindness in 15%, sterile meningoencephalitis in 8%, severe arthritis in 5%, hemoptysis in 2%, lethal outcome in 2% and bowel perforation in 1%. The relative risk of HLA-B5 positive German natives developing the disease. HLA-B5 was confirmed as a marker of severe prognosis. Cardiolipin autoantibodies were associated with cutaneous vasculitis and superficial thrombophlebitis was correlated with systemic vessel involvement.

Adolescent↗

Retinal progenitor cell xenografts to the pig retina: immunological reactions.

We evaluated the host response to murine retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) following transplantation to the subretinal space (SRS) of the pig. RPCs from GFP mice were transplanted subretinally in 18 nonimmunosuppressed normal or laser-treated pigs. Evaluation of the SRS was performed on hematoxylin-eosin (H&E)-stained sections. Serum samples were taken from naive and RPC-grafted pigs and mouse-reactive antibody responses were assessed. At 1 week, histology showed a few perivascular lymphocytes consistent with a mild retinal vasculitis, and depigmentation of the RPE with large numbers of mononuclear inflammatory cells in the choroid near the transplantation site. Large choroidal infiltrates were evident at 2-5 weeks. Serum from naive and RPC-xenografted pigs contained significant levels of preformed IgG and IgM antibodies against murine antigens. Xenogeneic RPCs transplanted to the porcine SRS induced mononuclear infiltration in the choroid with graft rejection occurring over 2-5 weeks. Serum analysis confirmed that mice and pigs are discordant species; however, a cell-mediated acute mechanism appears to be responsible, rather than an antibody-mediated rejection.

Animals↗

CD8brightCD56+ T cells are cytotoxic effectors in patients with active Behcet's uveitis.

Behçet's uveitis, characterized by chronic recurrent uveitis and obliterating retinal vasculitis, frequently causes bilateral blindness. Intraocular infiltration of TCRalphabeta+CD8brightCD56+ cells was a distinct feature in Behçet's uveitis. However, phenotypic natures and effector functions of the cells have remained elusive. This study was conducted to determine phenotypic and functional characteristics and cytotoxic mechanisms of CD8brightCD56+ T cells in Behçet's uveitis. CD11b+CD27-CD62L- phenotypes of CD8brightCD56+ T cells were increased in patients with active Behçet's uveitis compared with inactive Behcet's patients and normal controls. Interestingly, CD45RAdimCD45RO- phenotypes were expanded, and CD94 expression was markedly up-regulated in contrast to the down-regulation of NKG2D. Furthermore, these subsets were polarized to produce IFN-gamma and contained high amounts of preformed intracellular perforin while exclusively expressing surface FasL upon PI stimulation. Moreover, the cytolytic functions of freshly isolated CD8brightCD56+ T cells were up-regulated against both K562 (NK-sensitive) and Raji (NK-resistant) cells, which were effectively inhibited by perforin inhibitor (concanamycin A). Their cytolytic activity against HUVECs was also increased and was effectively suppressed by Fas ligand inhibitor (brefeldin A) and partly by perforin inhibitor. Furthermore, cytolytic functions of PMA and ionomycin-stimulated CD8brightCD56+ T cells against HUVECs were greatly enhanced, by pretreatment of recombinant human IFN-gamma on HUVECs. Therefore, CD8brightCD56+ T cells in Behçet's uveitis are characterized by cytotoxic effector phenotypes with functional NK receptors and function as strong cytotoxic effectors through both Fas ligand-dependent and perforin-dependent pathways.

Adult↗

Surgical management of nondiabetic vitreous hemorrhage.

Sixty-one patients (62 eyes) with vitreous hemorrhage were studied. None were associated with diabetic retinopathy or perforating injuries and all required surgical treatment. The patients had dense vitreous hemorrhage with preoperative visual acuity of counting finger or worse in 55 eyes (88.7%). After the operation, a final visual acuity of 6/60 or better was found in 32 eyes (51.6%). The common causes of vitreous hemorrhage were subretinal neovascularization, blunt trauma, branch retinal vein occlusion, post-cataract extraction, retinal detachment with tears, and retinal vasculitis. There was no association between the postoperative visual outcome and either the preoperative visual acuity or the duration of vitreous hemorrhage. The pathological change at the macular area was the main factor which influenced the visual outcome.

Adolescent↗

Unusual association of Kikuchi's disease and dengue virus infection evolving into systemic lupus erythematosus.

Kikuchi's disease is a histologically alarming self-limiting condition typically affecting the lymph nodes of young females. A 13-year-old girl was presented with fever, skin rash and cervical lymphadenopathy. On examination she was found febrile, mild pallor was present and she had lymphadenopathy. Liver was palpable. Cervical lymph node biopsy showed histiocytic necrotising lymphadenitis (Kikuchi's disease). Dengue virus serology for IgG blot showed evidence of seroconversion in serial samples. She was treated with antibiotics and fluconazole and cyclosporin A. During hospitalisation she developed retinal vasculitis. She was reviewed after one month and showed rashes of subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus. This case can be described to be a triggering event by dengue viral infection causing abnormal immune response leading initially to Kikuchi's disease and later on to systemic lupus erythematosus.

Adolescent↗

[Clinical course of ocular sarcoidosis in patients with histologically proven systemic sarcoidosis].

PURPOSE: We reviewed the clinical features, natural history and visual prognosis of 9 patients with histologically confirmed ocular and systemic sarcoidosis. PATIENTS: Nine patients underwent a follow-up study between 1993 and 1998. The diagnosis of sarcoidosis was supported by histological evidence of non caseating epithelioid-cell granuloma in tissue biopsy. RESULTS: The mean age was 40.912 years. The mean follow-up was 22.7 months (range 6 - 54 months). The ophthalmic involvement was bilateral in 8 patients. Before treatment, 3 eyes (17.6%) had a visual acuity less than 1/10. Two eyes (11.7%) had a visual acuity less than 3/10 and 10 eyes (58.8%) more than 6/10. The anterior uveitis was granulomatous in 2 eyes (11.7%) and non granulomatous in 8 eyes (47%). Five eyes (29.4%) had a pars planitis. The posterior segment manifestations of sarcoidosis were retinal vasculitis in 7 eyes (41.1%), papillitis in 10 eyes (58.8%) and choroidal granulomas in 2 eyes (11.7%). Seven patients were treated with systemic corticosteroids. One patient was treated with steroid eye-drops. After treatment, one eye (5.8%) had a visual acuity less than 1/10 and 13 eyes more than 6/10. After treatment, the choroidal granulomas disappeared and the intra-ocular inflammation was controlled in all cases. CONCLUSION: Although the number of patients in our series is small, the prognosis for ocular sarcoidosis appears to be good.

Adolescent↗

[Intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide in non infectious uveitis].

PURPOSE: Systemic immunosuppressants take more than two weeks before showing activity. Therefore corticosteroids remain the mainstay in the treatment of non infectious uveitis. The goal of this study is to assess results of the use of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide in acute sight-threatening non-infectious uveitis. METHOD: Ten patients (4 idiopathic retinal vasculitis, 1 idiopathic panuveitis, 1 pars planitis and 4 Behçet disease) were treated. Triamcinolone acetonide 4 mg/0.1 ml was injected through pars plana. RESULTS: Pre-treatment visual acuity<0.1 and post-treatment visual acuity >0.6 after less than a week. Inflammation resolved completely in all cases. The only complications observed were transient ocular hypertension which was successfully treated in two patients with topical betablockers and a catact in one case. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide is effective in rapidly decreasing inflammation in acute sight threatening non infectious uveitis.

Adolescent↗