Rubella virus is associated with fuchs heterochromic iridocyclitis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether rubella virus (RV) is involved in the pathogenesis of Fuchs heterochromic iridocyclitis (FHI).


METHODS
Retrospective patient-controlled study.


METHODS
Intraocular immunoglobulin G production against RV, herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella zoster virus (VZV), and Toxoplasma gondii was determined in the aqueous humor of 14 patients with FHI, 13 control subjects with herpetic uveitis anterior, and 19 control subjects with ocular toxoplasmosis by calculation of the Goldmann-Witmer coefficient (GWC).


RESULTS
All patients and control subjects were seropositive for RV. Intraocular antibody production (GWC >3) against RV was found in 13 of 14 patients (93%) with FHI. Intraocular antibody production against HSV, VZV, or T gondii was not detected. None of the control subjects with herpetic uveitis anterior or with toxoplasma chorioretinitis had a positive GWC for rubella virus (P < .0001, Fisher exact test).


CONCLUSIONS
Rubella virus, but not HSV, VZV, or T gondii, is associated with FHI.
de Groot-Mijnes
Jolanda D F
JD
Department of Virology, Eijkman-Winkler Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands. j.d.f.degroot@azu.nl
de Visser
Lenneke
L
Rothova
Aniki
A
Schuller
Margje
M
van Loon
Anton M
AM
Weersink
Annemarie J L
AJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000821:virology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D015828:Eye Infections, Viral / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D015863:Iridocyclitis / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012409:Rubella / Q000821:virology*; D012412:Rubella virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G