title: Intraocular antibody synthesis against rubella virus and other microorganisms in Fuchs' heterochromic cyclitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fuchs' heterochromic cyclitis (FHC) is a common intraocular disease of uncertain etiology that has recently been related to rubella virus (RV) infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  We investigated the synthesis of RV-specific IgG using aqueous humor and serum samples from 63 consecutive patients with FHC. In addition, intraocular immunoglobulin G production against herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella zoster virus (VZV), cytomegalovirus (CMV) and toxoplasma gondii was determined. In 20 patients, the detection of RV RNA was additionally performed by RT-PCR on the E1 gene. Forty-six patients with HSV- and VZV-associated uveitis, HLA B-27 positive anterior uveitis, and Posner-Schlossman syndrome served as controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Specific intraocular antibody synthesis against RV was confirmed in all 63 FHC patients, whereas none of the 46 controls was positive for RV IgG. Interestingly, in 11 patients with positive RV IgG synthesis, additional HSV (eight), VZV (one) and CMV (two) specific antibodies could be detected. Only twice was viral RNA detectable by PCR in a patient with FHC.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this largest reported series of FHC patients, we detected a strong association between FHC and intraocular antibody synthesis against rubella virus. Furthermore, in 11 patients, it was possible to confirm an additional intraocular antibody synthesis, in particular HSV. PCR-positive results in the aqueous humor were exclusively obtained for RV. In contrast to other studies, the RV genome could only be identified in two patients (10%).
authors: Augenklinik Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin (CVK) Germany, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany. peter.ruokonen@charite.de
authors: Peter C
authors: PC
authors: Ruokonen
authors: Sylvia
authors: S
authors: Metzner
authors: Aylin
authors: A
authors: Ucer
authors: Necip
authors: N
authors: Torun
authors: Jörg
authors: J
authors: Hofmann
authors: Uwe
authors: U
authors: Pleyer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D002648:Child; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000276:immunology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D015828:Eye Infections, Viral / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D015863:Iridocyclitis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012409:Rubella / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D012412:Rubella virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000276:immunology; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D012367:RNA, Viral; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; C061826:E1 envelope protein, Rubella virus