Efficacy of interferon-alpha for the treatment of Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus-associated uveitis.
OBJECTIVE
To report cases of uveitis that are associated with human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) and the impact of interferon-alpha therapy on their visual outcome.


METHODS
Interventional case reports.


METHODS
Extensive examination was performed in patients with chronic and severe uveitis to exclude a viral cause that requires specific therapy. After histopathologic, molecular, and/or serologic confirmation of HHV-8 uveitis, interferon-alpha2a therapy (3 millions IU/d, 3 days per week, subcutaneously) was initiated.


RESULTS
Two patients of Mediterranean origin were included. HHV-8 serologic result was positive in both cases. Histopathologic examination of conjunctival biopsy specimens confirmed Kaposi's sarcoma in the second case, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction identified HHV-8 DNA in the biopsy specimen. Disease was controlled by interferon-alpha2a in both cases, but maintenance therapy was mandatory to prevent relapses.


CONCLUSIONS
HHV-8-associated uveitis is a rare condition in immunocompetent hosts. Severe and chronic conditions may require antiviral and immunomodulatory therapies. Interferon alpha seems to be a good candidate and may be proposed in these cases.
Brasnu
Emmanuelle
E
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Paris VI, Pitie-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France.
Wechsler
Bertrand
B
Bron
Alain
A
Charlotte
Frederic
F
Bliefeld
Philippe
P
Lehoang
Phuc
P
Marcelin
Anne-Genevieve
AG
Bodaghi
Bahram
B
D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001706:Biopsy; D002648:Child; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D015828:Eye Infections, Viral / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D014605:Uveitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins