title: Histocompatibility antigens (HLA) and uveitis.
abstract: The studies of histocompatibility (HLA) antigens have contributed to the understanding of the pathogenesis of uveitis. Acute anterior uveitis is associated with rheumatic disorders such as ankylosing spondylitis. HLA-B 27 antigen is present in 98% of these cases. There are genetic and environmental factors influencing the activity of the disease. HLA-B 27 was found to be associated with 43% of cases of acute anterior uveitis without systemic disease. In juvenile chronic polyarthritis with acute anterior uveitis HLA-B 27 helps in differentiating between ankylosing spondylitis and Still's disease. Specific HLA antigens were also found in other forms of uveitis such as Reiter's disease (HLA-B 27), Behcet's syndrome (HLA-B 5), VKH syndrome (HLA-Bw 22J) and ocular histoplasmosis (HLA-B 7). Despite these new findings, there are still many obscure factors and further studies are required to elucidate the pathogenesis of uveitis and to achieve its prevention.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016918:Arthritis, Reactive / Q000276:immunology; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000276:immunology; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D014605:Uveitis / Q000276:immunology*; D014606:Uveitis, Anterior / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D006680:HLA Antigens