Immunopathology of progressive subretinal fibrosis: a variant of sympathetic ophthalmia.
OBJECTIVE
We report the immunopathology of progressive subretinal fibrosis, a variant of sympathetic ophthalmia.


METHODS
Brief case report.


METHODS
Review of medical record and immunopathology of a chorioretinal biopsy of a 40-year-old man who presented with left total retinal detachment (RD) following multiple vitrectomies in the right eye for RD. Small peripherally retinal holes, snow banks, and inflammatory nodules along the ora serrata were observed during left vitrectomy. Both eyes deteriorated rapidly to blindness with progressive subretinal fibrosis and inflammation over 3 months, and the patient was unresponsive to systemic prednisolone and azathioprine.


RESULTS
Immunopathology of the chorioretinal biopsy of the right eye revealed aggregates of CD20+ B cells, surrounded by CD3+ T cells. CD68+ macrophages were scattered throughout.


CONCLUSIONS
The rapid clinical course described in this case may be related to the unique immunopathology of rapidly forming peudogerminal centers in the choroids and retina.
Lim
Wee-Kiak
WK
Singapore National Eye Centre, 11 Third Hospital Avenue, Singapore 168751.
Chee
Soon-Phaik
SP
Sng
Ivy
I
Nussenblatt
Robert Burton
RB
Chan
Chi-Chao
CC
D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D001766:Blindness / Q000473:pathology; D005355:Fibrosis; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009879:Ophthalmia, Sympathetic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D012160:Retina / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology
D015703:Antigens, CD