Molecular and Serological Intraocular Fluid Analysis of Coxiella burnetii-seropositive Patients with Concurrent Idiopathic Uveitis

Purpose: Previous studies have suggested a link between Q fever and uveitis. We determined whether Coxiella burnetii causes intraocular infection in C. burnetii-seropositive patients with idiopathic uveitis. Methods: From a retrospective observational case series, paired aqueous humor and serum samples from 10 C. burnetii-seropositive patients with idiopathic uveitis were examined for intraocular antibody production by using the Goldmann-Witmer coefficient and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: Although intraocular IgG against C. burnetii was detected, no intraocular antibody production was observed (low Goldmann Wittmer coefficients). All PCR results were negative. Conclusions: Uveitis due to an intraocular infection with C. burnetii is unlikely

Diagnostic techniques for inflammatory eye disease: past, present and future: a review

Investigations used to aid diagnosis and prognosticate outcomes in ocular inflammatory disorders are based on techniques that have evolved over the last two centuries have dramatically evolved with the advances in molecular biological and imaging technology. Our improved understanding of basic biological processes of infective drives of innate immunity bridging the engagement of adaptive immunity have formed techniques to tailor and develop assays, and deliver targeted treatment options. Diagnostic techniques are paramount to distinguish infective from non-infective intraocular inflammatory disease, particularly in atypical cases. The advances have enabled our ability to multiplex assay small amount of specimen quantities of intraocular samples including aqueous, vitreous or small tissue samples. Nevertheless to achieve diagnosis, techniques often require a range of assays from traditional hypersensitivity reactions and microbe specific immunoglobulin analysis to modern molecular techniques and cytokine analysis. Such approaches capitalise on the advantages of each technique, thereby improving the sensitivity and specificity of diagnoses. This review article highlights the development of laboratory diagnostic techniques for intraocular inflammatory disorders now readily available to assist in accurate identification of infective agents and appropriation of appropriate therapies as well as formulating patient stratification alongside clinical diagnoses into disease groups for clinical trials

Erratum to: Changes in patterns of uveitis at a tertiary referral center in Northern Italy: analysis of 990 consecutive cases

Erratum to: Changes in patterns of uveitis at a tertiary referral center in Northern Italy: analysis of 990 consecutive case

Intraocular interleukin-17 and proinflammatory cytokines in HLA-A-29-associated birdshot chorioretinopathy

Purpose: To determine the levels of 23 immune mediators in paired aqueous humor (AqH) and serum samples from patients with birdshot chorioretinopathy (BSCR). Design: Single-centre case-control study. Methods: A multiplex immunoassay was used to determine the levels of 23 immune mediators (T-cell, proinflammatory, and vascular-active mediators) in paired AqH and serum of 16 BSCR patients. The AqH of 11 age-related cataract controls served as controls. Results: AqH levels of the T-cell mediators interleukin (IL)-2 (P =.044) and IL-17 (P =.039) and proinflammatory mediators IL-1β (P =.032), IL-6 (P =.034), and tumor necrosis factor α (P =.041) were elevated compared with that of age-related cataract controls. The elevated intraocular levels of IL-1β, IL-17, and tumor necrosis factor α in BSCR samples were higher than their concurrent serum levels. A significant positive correlation of intraocular mediators was noted between IL-17 and both IL-2 (r = 0.744; P <.0001) and IL-23 (r = 0.921; P <.0001) and between IL-2 and IL-23 (r = 0.776; P <.0001). AqH levels of vascular-active mediators were not distinct between the groups. Conclusions: BSCR patients have elevated intraocular levels of proinflammatory and T cell-associated cytokines. Our results suggest the novel pathogenic concept that BSCR is an autoimmune inflammatory disease restricted to the eye and associated with elevated IL-17

Rubella virus-associated uveitis in a nonvaccinated child

PURPOSE: To report presumed Fuchs heterochromic uveitis (FHU) associated with Rubella virus (RV)-specific intraocular antibody production in a child who was not vaccinated against rubella. DESIGN: Observational case report. METHODS: We examined a 13-year-old boy with chronic anterior uveitis complicated by mature cataract. Two aqueous humor (AH) samples taken with an interval of four weeks were analyzed for intraocular antibody production against RV by calculation of the Goldmann-Witmer coefficient. RESULTS: The patient showed all the clinical signs for FHU: iris atrophy, stellate keratic precipitates, and cataract. Analysis of the AH demonstrated intraocular antibody production against RV in two sequential samples. CONCLUSIONS: The data show that RV-associated uveitis can already present during childhood. Moreover, this finding suggests that nonvaccinated children may be at risk to develop uveitis after RV infectio

Molecular and Serological Intraocular Fluid Analysis of Coxiella burnetii-seropositive Patients with Concurrent Idiopathic Uveitis

Purpose: Previous studies have suggested a link between Q fever and uveitis. We determined whether Coxiella burnetii causes intraocular infection in C. burnetii-seropositive patients with idiopathic uveitis. Methods: From a retrospective observational case series, paired aqueous humor and serum samples from 10 C. burnetii-seropositive patients with idiopathic uveitis were examined for intraocular antibody production by using the Goldmann-Witmer coefficient and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: Although intraocular IgG against C. burnetii was detected, no intraocular antibody production was observed (low Goldmann Wittmer coefficients). All PCR results were negative. Conclusions: Uveitis due to an intraocular infection with C. burnetii is unlikely