The association of HLA-DR15 and intermediate uveitis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association between human leukocyte antigen (HLA-DR15) specificity and intermediate uveitis.


METHODS
Eighteen patients diagnosed with intermediate uveitis underwent HLA-DR15 serotyping. Additionally, DNA-based phenotyping for a specific HLA-DR15 allele was performed in four patients. The clinical features of HLA-DR15-positive intermediate uveitis were compared with those of HLA-DR15-negative intermediate uveitis.


RESULTS
Thirteen of 18 patients (72%) were positive for HLA-DR15. The frequency of the HLA-DR15 specificity in intermediate uveitis patients was significantly higher than in the control subjects (relative risk, 6.36; P < .001). Each of four patients tested carried the specific allele, DR beta 1*1501, which has been associated with multiple sclerosis. In the HLA-DR15-positive group were four patients (31%) with coexisting multiple sclerosis or optic neuritis, one patient with coexisting narcolepsy, and three patients (23%) with a family history of multiple sclerosis. Retinal periphlebitis, especially if bilateral, was a frequent ophthalmoscopic finding in HLA-DR15-positive intermediate uveitis.


CONCLUSIONS
This study identifies a significant association between intermediate uveitis and the HLA-DR15 specificity. Patients who are HLA-DR15-positive and have intermediate uveitis may have systemic findings of another HLA-DR15-related disorder. Intermediate uveitis may belong to a constellation of HLA-DR15-related disorders, which includes multiple sclerosis, optic neuritis, and narcolepsy.
Tang
W M
WM
Department of Ophthalmology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA.
Pulido
J S
JS
Eckels
D D
DD
Han
D P
DP
Mieler
W F
WF
Pierce
K
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D059810:HLA-DR Serological Subtypes; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications; D009290:Narcolepsy / Q000150:complications; D009902:Optic Neuritis / Q000150:complications; D010641:Phenotype; D015867:Uveitis, Intermediate / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology
D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D059810:HLA-DR Serological Subtypes; C106559:HLA-DR15 antigen; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains