Eosinophil activation in Wegener's granulomatosis: a harbinger of disease progression?
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relation between eosinophil activation in tissue from patients with an active, limited form of Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) affecting the eye and subsequent systemic disease activity.


METHODS
Analysis of ocular specimens obtained from 10 patients was performed. Sections were probed with antibodies to assess the presence of major basic protein (MBP) and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP).


RESULTS
Four of the 10 specimens demonstrated the presence of MBP and ECP. WG progressed to the complete form in two of these patients, who received no or inadequate treatment. The other two, treated with cyclophosphamide for one year, did not progress to the complete form of WG during observation after therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Activated eosinophils in sclera or conjunctiva of patients with ocular limited WG may predict progression to complete WG.
Choopong
Pitipol
P
Department of Ophthalmology, Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Service, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (MEEI), Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Khan
Nadia
N
Sangwan
Virender S
VS
Zafirakis
Panayotis
P
Rallatos
Charalampos Livir
CL
Rojas
Blanca
B
Baltatzis
Stefanos
S
Foster
C Stephen
CS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D047150:Eosinophil Cationic Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D047093:Eosinophil Major Basic Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D014890:Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012590:Sclera / Q000473:pathology; D014606:Uveitis, Anterior / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
D015415:Biomarkers; D047150:Eosinophil Cationic Protein; D047093:Eosinophil Major Basic Protein