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Aetiology of uveitis in Sierra Leone, west Africa.

BACKGROUND: In 1992, non-onchocercal uveitis caused 9% of blindness, 8% of visual impairment, and 11% of uniocular blindness among patients visiting an eye hospital in Sierra Leone, west Africa. The aim of this study was to determine the aetiology of uveitis in this population. METHODS: General and ophthalmic examination complemented by serum and aqueous humour analyses for various infectious agents was performed for 93 uveitis patients and compared with serum (n = 100) and aqueous humour (n = 9) analysis of endemic controls. RESULTS: At the initial examination, 45 patients (48%) proved to be severely visually handicapped. After clinical and laboratory analyses, an aetiological diagnosis was established for 49 patients (52%). Toxoplasma gondii was the most important cause of uveitis (40/93; 43%). Anti-toxoplasma IgM antibodies were detected in serum samples of seven of 93 patients (8%) compared with one of 100 controls (1%, p < 0.05). At least six patients (15%) with ocular toxoplasmosis had acquired the disease postnatally. Antibodies against Treponema pallidum were detected in 18 of 92 patients (20%) and in 21 controls (21%). Other causes of uveitis were varicella zoster virus (one patient), herpes simplex virus (two patients), and HLA-B27 positive acute anterior uveitis with ankylosing spondylitis (one patient), while one patient had presumed HTLV-I uveitis. CONCLUSIONS: In a hospital population in Sierra Leone, west Africa, uveitis was associated with severe visual handicap and infectious diseases. Toxoplasmosis proved to be the most important cause of the uveitis. Although the distribution of congenital versus acquired toxoplasmosis in this population could not be determined, the results indicate an important role of postnatally acquired disease. The results further suggested minor roles for HIV, tuberculosis, toxocariasis, and sarcoidosis as causes of uveitis in this population.

Adolescent↗

Anterior uveitis associated with intravenous cidofovir use in patients with cytomegalovirus retinitis.

AIM: Intravenous cidofovir is used to treat cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis, and has been reported to cause anterior uveitis. Relations were sought between this complication and patient characteristics that might help predict its occurrence. METHODS: 17 patients with AIDS and CMV retinitis who were treated with intravenous cidofovir were identified, and the following data collected in a retrospective chart review: demographic characteristics, duration of CMV retinitis, retinal lesion characteristics, dose and duration of cidofovir therapy, tests of renal function, CD4+ T lymphocyte counts, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, iris colour, history of diabetes mellitus, and use of concomitant medications. Case-control analyses were performed to determine risk factors for developing cidofovir associated uveitis. RESULTS: Anterior uveitis characterised by pain, ciliary injection, and decreased visual acuity occurred in 10 patients (59%). Median interval to development of uveitis was 11 doses of cidofovir. Symptoms developed 4.4 (SD 2.5) days (median 3.5) after an infusion of cidofovir. Patients who developed uveitis had a significantly greater rise in CD4+ T lymphocyte count while receiving cidofovir (68.4 (75.7) x10(6)/l versus 5.0 (0.6) x10(6)/l, (p = 0.04)). By stepwise linear regression, this factor accounted for 33% (p = 0.03) of the effect of developing uveitis. Mean follow up time, intraocular pressure decline during cidofovir therapy, serum creatinine and urine protein concentrations, and rates of protease inhibitor use were not significantly different between patients who developed uveitis and those who did not. Uveitis responded to topical corticosteroids and cycloplegia. CONCLUSION: Anterior uveitis in patients receiving intravenous cidofovir therapy may be related to improving immune function. The uveitis responds to treatment and may not preclude continuation of cidofovir.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Evaluation of corneal endothelium and keratic precipitates by specular microscopy in anterior uveitis.

BACKGROUND: The study of corneal endothelium, by specular microscopy, in patients with anterior uveitis has largely been restricted to observations on the endothelial cells. In this prospective study "keratic precipitates" (KP) in different types of uveitis were examined in different stages of the disease process and the endothelial changes occurring in the vicinity of the KP were evaluated in comparison with the endothelium of the uninvolved eye. METHODS: 13 patients with active unilateral uveitis were recruited. The mean age was 42.9 years (range 20-76 years). A Tomey-1100 contact wide field specular (x10) microscope was used to capture endothelial images and KP until the resolution of uveitis. Data regarding type of uveitis, number, size, and nature of KP were recorded. Automated morphometric analysis was done for cell size, cell density and coefficient of variation, and statistical comparisons of cell size and cell density were made (Student's t test) between the endothelium in the vicinity of fresh and resolving KP, fresh KP and normal endothelium, and resolving KP and normal endothelium. RESULTS: On specular microscopy, fresh KP were seen as dense, white glistening deposits occupying 5-10 endothelial cells in diameter and fine KP were widely distributed and were one or two endothelial cells in diameter. The KP in Posner-Schlossman syndrome had a distinct and different morphology. With clinical remission of uveitis, the KP were observed to undergo characteristic morphological changes and old KP demonstrated a large, dark halo surrounding a central white deposit and occasionally a dark shadow or a "lacuna" replaced the site of the original KP. Endothelial blebs were noted as dark shadows or defects in the endothelial mosaic in patients with recurrent uveitis. There was significant statistical difference in the mean cell size and cell density of endothelial cells in the vicinity of fresh KP compared with normal endothelium of the opposite eye. CONCLUSION: This study elucidated the different specular microscopic features of KP in anterior uveitis. Distinct morphological features of large and fine KP were noted. These features underwent dramatic changes on resolution of uveitis. The endothelium was abnormal in the vicinity of KP, which returned to near normal values on resolution of uveitis.

Adult↗

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor in ocular fluids of patients with uveitis.

AIMS: To investigate the levels of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in intraocular fluids of uveitis patients, the capacity of intraocular infiltrating lymphocytes to produce MIF, and the correlation between MIF levels in the eye and intraocular inflammatory activity. METHODS: MIF levels were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using (1) aqueous humour (AH) of 12 uveitis patients and eight control patients with cataract, (2) vitreous fluid of 15 uveitis patients and eight control patients with idiopathic macular hole, and (3) culture supernatants of T cell clones (TCCs) established from intraocular fluids of uveitis patients. MIF expression on infiltrating cells was determined by a double staining immunofluorescence technique using a flow cytometry. RESULTS: Significant levels of MIF were detected from intraocular fluids of uveitis patients (4.0 (SD 3.0) ng/ml in AH and 16.5 (24.7) ng/ml in vitreous), whereas MIF levels in control groups were below the detectable levels. There was a significant correlation between MIF levels and vitreous inflammation (29.7 (30.0) ng/ml in active uveitis v 3.3 (2.6) ng/ml in inactive uveitis, p< 0.05). Significant levels of MIF were detected in culture supernatants of TCCs from ocular fluids of uveitis patients. MIF was expressed on infiltrating CD4+ lymphocytes from vitreous of uveitis patients. CONCLUSION: Significant levels of MIF are present in intraocular fluids of patients with uveitis. Lymphocytes infiltrating in the eye are capable of producing MIF. MIF levels in vitreous fluid are correlated with vitreous inflammation activity. These data thus indicate that MIF in the eye has a significant role in the pathophysiology of ocular inflammation.

Adult↗

Iris nodules associated with infectious uveitis.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Iris nodules are an uncommon clinical sign in uveitis. The diseases most commonly associated with iris nodules and uveitis include sarcoidosis, Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome, multiple sclerosis, Fuchs' heterochromic iridocyclitis, and metastatic infection. While many of these diseases may be appropriately treated with immunosuppressive medication, the management of infectious uveitis is antimicrobial therapy. Inappropriate immunosuppressive therapy may result in a poor outcome for the patient with an infection. Consequently, cases of uveitis with iris nodules were reviewed to identify clinical features that may help differentiate infection from non-infectious inflammation. METHODS: The clinical database of 1353 consecutive patients evaluated at a tertiary care referral based North American uveitis clinic were retrospectively reviewed to identify cases of infectious uveitis with iris nodules. A Medline search was performed to identify additional cases. From these cases information regarding clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome were collected. RESULTS: Three cases (three eyes) were identified from the authors' own records of infectious uveitis with iris nodules. An additional 25 cases of infectious uveitis with iris nodules were identified in 22 published reports. Analysis of the authors' cases and these reports showed that infectious uveitis with iris nodules was specifically characterised by some or all of the following: (1) creamy, soft appearance to the nodule(s), (2) unilateral disease, (3) persistence or growth of the nodule(s) despite corticosteroid therapy, (4) marked inflammatory response in the anterior chamber and/or vitreous humour, and/or (5) history suggesting a potential source of septic emboli. CONCLUSION: Certain features of the clinical history and examination are useful in the diagnosis of metastatic infection in patients presenting with uveitis and iris nodules.

Adult↗

Serum cytokine receptor levels in noninfectious uveitis.

PURPOSE: Understanding of the role of cytokines in uveitis may provide new clues to its treatment. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to evaluate systemic cytokine receptor expression in patients with noninfectious uveitis. METHOD: Serum concentrations of soluble interleukin-2 receptor alpha (IL-2 s Ralpha) and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor-1 (sTNF-R1) were measured in patients with intermediate uveitis (n = 26), posterior uveitis (n = 23) and healthy controls (n = 12) using ELISA. All patients were identified in a consecutive series of 996 uveitis patients who had been diagnosed between 1998 and 2002 and classified according to the recommendations of the International Uveitis Study Group. Inclusion criteria were idiopathic, active intraocular inflammation, uveitis as a primary process and no systemic anti-inflammatory treatment at the time of blood sampling. None of the patients had an underlying systemic disease. RESULTS: Serum concentrations of IL-2 s Ralpha were significantly increased in patients with posterior (p < 0.005) and intermediate uveitis (p < 0.005) as compared to healthy controls. Similarly, concentrations of sTNF-R1 appeared to be increased in posterior (p < 0.005) and intermediate (p < 0.005) uveitis patients when compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: Our results may suggest that patients with noninfectious uveitis express systemic cytokine receptors such as TNF-R1 and IL-2 Ralpha, which may have an important role in the immune response of the eye and may lead to new immunomodulatory approaches.

Adolescent↗

Prognosis of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis-associated uveitis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical characteristics and the visual prognosis of uveitis in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). METHODS: The authors examined 63 patients with uveitis and JRA observed from January 1985 to December 2000. The following characteristics of each patient were considered: age at first visit, age at onset of uveitis and arthritis, sex, laterality and localization of uveitis, ocular complications, antinuclear antibody (ANA) and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) DR11 positivity, and follow-up. A retrospective study on mid-time visual outcome and ocular complications was performed on 42 patients with more than 12 months of follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 76.2% of the patients were female, with a mean age of 8.1 years. Chronic anterior uveitis was bilateral in 77.8% of the cases and unilateral in 22.2%. Arthritis was oligoarticular at onset in 87.3% of cases, and polyarticular in 12.7%. Mean age at arthritis onset was 4.5 years and mean age at uveitis onset was 5.4 years. ANA were positive in 92% of cases and HLA DR11 was present in 36 of the 43 patients tested (83.7%). Among the 42 patients with more than 12 months of follow-up, ocular complications occurred in 90.5% of cases and the most frequent were cataract (64.4% of eyes) and band keratopathy (59.2% of eyes). Secondary glaucoma (25% of eyes) was associated with the worst visual prognosis. A total of 64.5% of eyes maintained a visual acuity between 20/33 and 20/20 at the end of the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Visual prognosis of uveitis associated with JRA is improving, owing to earlier diagnosis and intensive treatment. Ocular complications occurred frequently in patients with uveitis and JRA but they did not seem to seriously affect the final visual outcome. The authors did not observe any correlation between prognosis and sex, age at the onset of uveitis or arthritis, pattern of arthritis, or positivity for ANA or HLA DR11. In a percentage of cases, uveitis may develop before arthritis or years after the onset of arthritis; therefore, continuous ophthalmologic examinations are needed in young people with JRA.

Adolescent↗

Drug-induced uveitis. Incidence, prevention and treatment.

Drug-induced uveitis is a relatively rare occurrence. For example, the patient database at the tertiary referral Uveitis Clinic at the Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health Sciences University records an incidence of less than 0.5%. Despite this, the frequency of uveitis secondary to rifabutin therapy in AIDS patients has brought greater recognition to the potential role of medications as a cause of intraocular inflammation. A brief review of uveitis including its classification, causes, symptoms and signs is presented along with a review of systemic medications associated with uveitis. These medications include cidofovir, cobalt, diethylcarbamazepine, pamidronic acid (disodium pamidronate), interleukin-3 and interleukin-6, oral contraceptives, quinidine, rifabutin, streptokinase and sulfonamides. Other systemic medications may cause uveitis. Topical ocular medications such as beta-blockers and corticosteroids as well as other topical ocular medications have been associated with uveitis. Cidofovir, pamidronic acid, sulfonamides, rifabutin and topical metipranolol can 'probably' cause uveitis. The remainder of the medications discussed have a 'possible' cause-and-effect relationship with uveitis. Treatment begins with recognition of a drug-related event and usually subsequent avoidance of the drug. Therapy depends on the severity and likelihood of the reaction. Drug-induced uveitis is almost always reversible within weeks of discontinuation of the drug and treatment of the inflammation.

Causality↗

Intraocular lenses in patients with uveitis.

To evaluate the cataract surgery with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in patients with uveitis, we retrospectively compared the outcome and complications between 63 eyes with uveitis-associated cataract and 42 eyes with age-related cataract, and between 27 uveitis eyes implanted with acrylic IOL and 36 uveitis eyes implanted with heparin-surface-modified IOL. There was a significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between patients with uveitis and age-related cataract. Major postoperative complications in uveitis group were posterior capsule opacification (13%) and cystoid macular edema (13%). Flare intensity measured with the laser flare-cell meter in patients with uveitis was higher than that with age-related cataract. There was no significant difference in the incidence of the postoperative complications and flare intensity between eyes with acrylic IOL and with heparin-surface-modified IOL in uveitis group, but there was a significant difference in the intensity of astigmatism in short-term after the surgery between the two groups. Careful attention to preoperative activity of uveitis and postoperative complications should be paid in cataract surgery with IOL implantation in patients with uveitis. Acrylic IOL is as useful as heparin-surface-modified IOL.

Adult↗

Humoral and cellular immune responsiveness to human S-antigen in uveitis.

Purified human retinal S-antigen (S-ag) was used to investigate the occurrence of humoral and cellular autoimmune reactions against S-ag in uveitis patients. With a sensitive ELISA method anti-S-ag antibodies could be detected in the sera of 28% of the uveitis patients. No difference was found between patients with posterior or panuveitis (31 out of 117 positive) and patients with anterior or intermediate uveitis (16 out of 52 positive). Similar frequencies and levels of anti-S-ag autoantibodies were also found among healthy controls (6/20) and patients who had undergone cataract surgery (6/17). Immunoblotting with purified S-ag and with whole human retinal extract confirmed the presence of anti-S-ag antibodies in uveitis and control sera. Moreover, antibodies against various other retinal proteins could also be demonstrated in patients and controls, without being particularly enhanced in uveitis. The cellular immune responsiveness was tested by measuring the production of migration inhibitory factor (MIF) during overnight culture of peripheral mononuclear cells with the antigen. None of 18 healthy controls responded, whereas 17 positive reactions were observed in the group of 44 uveitis patients. The highest frequencies were found in patients with posterior (5/12) or pan- (7/12) uveitis, while of the responders with anterior (2/8) or intermediate (3/12) uveitis, three had disorders affecting the retina. Thus, cellular autoimmune responsiveness to S-ag is apparently associated with posterior and pan-uveitis, and might also occur in non-uveitic retinal disorders, whereas the occurrence of anti-S-ag antibodies is probably not at all pathognomic for uveitis.

Adolescent↗

A population-based study on uveitis in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To obtain information on the occurrence and characteristics of uveitis in a population-based survey of patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). METHODS: The subjects in this study were entitled, under the nationwide sickness insurance scheme, to receive specially reimbursed medication for JRA in 5 of the 21 central hospital districts in Finland (population base about 270,000 children < 16 years of age) in 1980, 1985 and 1990. RESULTS: A total of 114 incident cases (34 boys and 80 girls) satisfied the criteria for JRA. Uveitis was diagnosed in 18 of these patients (16%). The mean age of uveitis patients at the diagnosis of JRA was 6.8 years (median 5.4 years) and the mean interval from the diagnosis of JRA to the detection of uveitis was 2.9 years. Silent (asymptomatic) anterior uveitis was found in 4 boys and 11 girls and acute anterior uveitis in 2 boys. One girl had marginal corneal ulceration with mild anterior uveitis. Uveitis was chronic (> 6 months) in 9 cases. Uveal inflammation was most severe in the 3 children whose uveitis was detected at the time of the diagnosis of JRA. CONCLUSION: The study provides population-based information on the occurrence and characteristics of uveitis associated with JRA.

Acute Disease↗

[A clinical evaluation of uveitis-associated secondary glaucoma].

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical features of secondary glaucoma associated with uveitis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The subjects of the study were 1,604 eyes of 1,099 patients with uveitis at Miyata Eye Hospital, Miyakonojo, Miyazaki, between October 1974 and January 2000. The intraocular pressure (IOP) and clinical data were analyzed retrospectively. Secondary glaucoma was defined as being an IOP higher than 21 mmHg and needing treatment with medication to control the high IOP. RESULTS: Secondary glaucoma was found in 293 eyes (18.3%) of 217 patients (19.7%) among the uveitis patients. The clinical entity with the highest frequency of secondary glaucoma was Posner-Schlossman syndrome in 100%, followed by sarcoidosis in 34.1%, herpetic anterior uveitis in 30.4%, Behçet's disease in 20.8%, HLA-B 27 related acute anterior uveitis in 20.0%, Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada' disease in 16.4%, and HTLV-1 uveitis in 16.2%. Among the 293 eyes with secondary glaucoma, the majority (72%) had active anterior uveitis at the time of high IOP. Only 7.5% of secondary glaucoma eyes had peripheral anterior synechia wider than 180 degrees of trabecular meshwork. Steroid glaucoma was found only in 8.9% of the secondary glaucoma eyes. Surgical therapy mainly with trabeculectomy with anti-metabolites was performed in 38 eyes and the postsurgical IOP was controlled to 20 mmHg or lower in 36 eyes. Despite the medical and surgical therapy for secondary glaucoma, defect of the visual field was found in 38% of the secondary glaucoma eyes. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of secondary glaucoma in 1,604 eyes with uveitis was 18.3%, and the frequency of secondary glaucoma differed depending upon the clinical entity of uveitis. The evaluation and the management of IOP are very important in treatment patients with uveitis, in addition to the management of intraocular inflammation.

Female↗

Tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Uveitis in association with tubulointerstitial nephritis is a distinct clinical entity known as tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis(TINU) syndrome. The onset of uveitis most commonly follows the onset of the interstitial nephritis, but may also occur before or concurrently. The uveitis is usually bilateral, nongranulomatous, limited to the anterior segment, and generally responds well to topical or oral (when indicated) anti-inflammatory treatment. Interestingly, recurrent or chronic uveitis is common, in contrast to the tubulointerstitial nephritis, which typically resolves completely. CASE REPORT: Approximately 5 months after a biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of tubulointerstitial nephritis, a 13-year-old boy was brought to our clinic with symptoms of a red, photophobic right eye of 3 days duration. Examination revealed nongranulomatous anterior-segment inflammation in the right eye greater than the left. The uveitis responded very well to topical steroid and cycloplegic treatment. Follow-up examinations have shown a gradual decrease in the inflammation, with no ocular complications. CONCLUSION: TINU syndrome is an under-recognized disorder and may account for some cases of uveitis otherwise characterized as 'idiopathic." Since the uveitis may be the presenting sign in up to 36% of cases of TINU syndrome, it is important for eye care practitioners to consider this disorder when searching for systemic associations with uveitis. Prompt detection through referral or testing will allow speedy diagnosis and appropriate treatment for both the uveitis and the tubulointerstitial nephritis.

Adolescent↗

Uveitis as the initial clinical manifestation in patients with spondyloarthropathies.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the frequency and pattern of presentation of uveitis as the first clinical manifestation to prompt diagnostic evaluation in patients with spondyloarthropathies (SpA). METHODS: Patients with uveitis were attended simultaneously by ophthalmologists and rheumatologists in our Uveitis Clinic between June 1997 and October 2000. An established clinical protocol based on the pattern of uveitis and the patient's symptoms was used to determine diagnosis. Evaluation included clinical history, ophthalmologic examination, hemogram, biochemistry, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, the fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test, urinalysis, and chest radiograph. Additional studies were requested according to the protocol. RESULTS: Data from 394 patients were recorded in our database. Seventy-two (18%) had some type of SpA; their mean age was 44.7 years (SD 15.7) and 51 (71.8%) were men. Forty-two patients (59%) of the SpA group had been previously diagnosed. In the 30 (41%) who were undiagnosed, uveitis was the first manifestation to prompt diagnostic evaluation. The most frequent clinical pattern was acute unilateral anterior uveitis. The 2 main keys to confirm the diagnosis of SpA were the presence of recurrent acute unilateral uveitis and low back or joint pain, in addition to the uveitis flare. HLA-B27 was found in 94% of patients. CONCLUSION: In 41% of the patients diagnosed with SpA, uveitis was the first clinical sign, suggesting that collaboration between ophthalmologists and rheumatologists greatly aids the diagnosis and treatment of these patients. When this close collaboration is not possible, all patients with rheumatic complaints and recurrent acute unilateral uveitis should be referred to a rheumatologist.

Adult↗

[Clinical diagnosis and treatment of uveitis associated with ankylosing spondylitis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of uveitis associated with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS: A history about low back pain was carefully reviewed in patients with uveitis and X-ray examination was performed if necessary. Forty-four patients were diagnosed as AS from January 1996 to June 2001 in Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center according to the modified New York criteria for AS. Data concerning these patients, especially with respect to the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment, were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Of 44 patients, 41 were male. The age of the patients at onset of uveitis was (33 +/- 15) years old. All of the 34 patients who had a uveitis history over 40 days showed a recurrent inflammation. In 18 patients (52.9%), the interval between the relapse of uveitis was more than one year. Bilateral ocular involvement was found in 23 out of 34 patients with recurrent uveitis. However, none of them showed a bilateral inflammation at the onset of uveitis. All patients showed acute anterior uveitis with a duration of (27 +/- 12) days. All patients had definitely radiological evidences of bilateral sacroiliitis, although not all of them had typical history of lower back pain. Treatment with corticosteroids eyedrops and cycloplegic agent was used in all patients. Vision equal to or better than 1.0 was achieved in 82.5% of these patients. CONCLUSIONS: Uveitis associated with AS is characterized by acute nongranulamatous anterior uveitis with recurrent episodes in male. Diagnosis is made according to typical clinical features and radiological evidences of bilateral sacroiliitis. Treatment with corticosteroid eyedrops and cycloplegic is able to resolve the inflammation rapidly and leads to a good prognosis in most patients.

Adolescent↗

Epstein-Barr virus-related antibody pattern in uveitis.

Epstein-Barr virus-related antibody titers were determined in 30 patients with anterior uveitis, 45 with pan-uveitis, including 19 with Behçet's disease, 11 with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada's disease and 15 with unclassified pan-uveitis, and 144 age-matched healthy controls. The frequencies of anti-VCA (viro-capsid antigen) and anti-EA (early antigen) in uveitis patients and in controls were similar, but the frequency of sera with elevated titers (greater than or equal to 1:160) and the geometric mean titer of anti-VCA in the patients with anterior uveitis was significantly higher than in the controls (P less than 0.025, P less than 0.01) and in the patients with pan-uveitis (P less than 0.001). The frequency of sera with elevated titers of anti-EBNA (Epstein-Barr virus associated nuclear antigen) (greater than or equal to 1:160) in the patients with pan-uveitis was significantly lower than in the controls (P less than 0.02) and in the patients with anterior uveitis (P less than 0.01). Among the patients with pan-uveitis, there was no significant difference in the pattern of antibodies. These data are compatible with the interpretation that there may be both anatomical and immunological differences between anterior and pan-uveitis.

Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic↗

[HLA-DR2 alleles and uveitis in leprosy].

In order to investigate the role of immunogenetic factors in the pathogenesis of uveitis in leprosy, HLA antigens were analyzed between the leprotics with and without uveitis. Sixty-five Japanese leprosy patients comprised 32 with uveitis and 33 without uveitis. Controls consisted of 138 healthy subjects. A lymphocyte cytotoxicity test was used for typing HLA-A, -B, -C, -DR and -DQ antigens. HLA-DR2 genotyping was performed by the polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) methods. The frequency of HLA-DR2 antigen was significantly increased in the patients with uveitis as compared with the control subjects (Pc < 0.0005), whereas HLA-DR53 antigen was significantly decreased (Pc < 0.05). At the genomic level the frequency of HLA-DRB1*1501 was significantly increased in the patients with uveitis and without uveitis as compared with that in the controls. The association with DRB1*1501 was even stronger in patients with uveitis (odds ratio = 7.1, Pc < 0.000005) than in the patients without uveitis (odds ratio = 4.1, Pc < 0.005). Our results suggest that HLA-DRB1*1501 contribute to the susceptibility to uveitis in the Japanese with leprosy.

Alleles↗

HTLV-I seroprevalence in patients with undefined uveitis in central Japan.

Recently, human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) has been shown to cause endogenous uveitis, HTLV-I associated uveitis. To investigate the association of hereditary or environmental factors with the incidence of this uveitis, HTLV-I seroprevalence was studied in patients with undefined uveitis in central Japan, where HTLV-I infection has not been considered highly endemic. Of 129 patients with undefined uveitis, 6 (4.6%) were seropositive, and 4 of these 6 seropositive cases with undefined uveitis were born in southwestern Japan, where HTLV-I infection is highly endemic. As regards the incidence rate of uveitis, 4 of 9 (44.4%) seropositive cases from southwestern Japan developed uveitis, whereas only 2 of 21 (9.5%) seropositive cases from central Japan developed uveitis. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). This results suggests that the incidence of HTLV-I associated uveitis could be influenced by environmental or hereditary factors including HLA.

Adolescent↗