title: [The role of immunopathological reactions in the development of eye diseases in persons infected by hepatitis B virus and the efficiency of immuno-correcting therapy].
abstract: The role of immunologic factors in the development of ophthalmic pathologies in persons infected by hepatitis B virus (HBV) affecting the liver or in asymptomatic virus carriers (a total of 285 persons, 328 eyes) was studied. The deficit of CD3 and CD4 cells, gammopathy, increased levels of circulating immune complexes and of TNF-alpha in the serum; the deficit of IgA and an enhanced secretion of IgG in the lachrymal fluid; as well as a weakened ability of the local and systematic production of IFN-alpha were typical for a majority of patients. The most profound changes were detected in cases of uveitis; apart from the above mentioned, an increase of the CD4/CD8 index as well as of organ-specific and inter-organ immunization was found. The cases of keratitis (92% of the stromal type) were distinguished through a hypersecretion of TNF-alpha both in the serum and in the lachrymal fluid. Complicated cataracts were observed mainly in convalescents or in asymptomatic virus carriers; immune disorders were less seldom encountered in this category, as compared to the cases of eye inflammations, and basically they were local. The obtained data were considered in treatment. Imunofan, when added to the traditional therapy (symptomatic and corticosteroid one), activated the local and systematic antiviral immunity, suppressed the production of pro-viral cytokines and reduced the autoimmune reactions. As a result of this, the treatment time, the frequency rate of relapses as well as the number of anti-inflammatory and postoperative (in cataracts) complications decreased. The study results are indicative of that the immunopathological reactions, which are typical of HBV patients, can be detected at the ocular level and they can provoke ophthalmic pathologies. The nature, severity and relation between the local and systematic immune disorders predetermine, to a considerable extent, the development of an eye disease and its severity. The treatment (and prophylaxis) of HBV-associated ophthalmic pathologies require an obligatory usage of immunity-correcting means and clinical-and-immunological monitoring.
authors.forename: O S
authors.initials: OS
authors.lastname: Slepova
authors.forename: V N
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Kushnir
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000276:immunology*; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014605:Uveitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D015703:Antigens, CD; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D009842:Oligopeptides; C080035:thymohexin