[Multiple evanescent white dot syndrome: a genetic predisposition?].
BACKGROUND
Multiple evanescent white dot syndrome (MEWDS) is a benign acquired isolated chorioretinal disorder. Symptoms include photopsia, visual blur and scotomas. Ocular examination reveals multiple white dots at the level of the deep retina. A parainfectious disorder was suggested but the exact mechanism of MEWDS is still unknown. Postulating that MEWDS might be an antigen driven inflammatory reaction, we analyzed HLA subtypes in patients with MEWDS.


METHODS
Sixteen patients were diagnosed with MEWDS in Lausanne from 1985 to 1994. Blood was withdrawn in 9/16 patients. HLA-A, -B and -DR were sought.


RESULTS
HLA-B51 was detected in 4/9 patients (44.4%). Other HLA subtypes were detected sporadically.


CONCLUSIONS
The frequency of HLA-B51 haplotype was found to be 3.7 times more elevated than in a normal control caucasian group. This suggests the possibility that MEWDS might be a genetically determined disorder as it is the case for other ocular diseases like Birdshot chorioretinopathy (HLA-A29), Harada's disease (HLA-DRMT3), acute anterior uveitis (HLA-B27) or Behçet's disease (HLA-B51). We have no explanation for the presence of HLA-B51 in both Behçet's disease and MEWDS. The association of HLA-B51 and MEWDS needs confirmation by further testing.
Desarnaulds
A B
AB
Hôpital Ophtalmique Jules Gonin, Lausanne.
Borruat
F X
FX
Herbort
C P
CP
Spertini
F
F
D002825:Chorioretinitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005787:Gene Frequency / Q000235:genetics; D015235:HLA-B Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D059949:HLA-B51 Antigen; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013577:Syndrome; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*
D015235:HLA-B Antigens; D059949:HLA-B51 Antigen
Le multiple evanescent white dot syndrome: une prédisposition génétique?