title: High concordance of intraocular antibody synthesis against the rubella virus and Fuchs heterochromic uveitis syndrome in Slovenia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To prospectively study the relationship between Fuchs heterochromic uveitis syndrome (FHUS) and intraocular production of specific antibodies against the rubella virus (RV) in Slovenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using the Goldmann-Witmer coefficient technique, intraocular synthesis of specific antibodies against RV, herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus, cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Toxoplasma gondii-specific immunoglobulin G antibodies was performed in 12 consecutive patients with clinically diagnosed FHUS and 12 patients with idiopathic recurrent unilateral anterior uveitis (AU) without clinical features of FHUS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Specific intraocular antibody synthesis against RV with a positive Goldmann-Witmer coefficient was proven in 11 of 12 (92%) FHUS patients, and in none of the non-FHUS AU patients (Fisher's exact test <0.0001). In one patient with FHUS, specific antibodies against RV and varicella-zoster virus were concurrently detected. Specific antibodies against cytomegalovirus were detected in one patient with unilateral recurrent AU.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intraocular production of specific immunoglobulin G against RV was proven in the majority of tested cohort of FHUS patients from Slovenia as compared to the group of patients with idiopathic AU, which suggests that RV is involved in the pathogenesis of FHUS in this geographic area.
authors.affiliation: Eye Hospital, University Clinical Center Ljubljana, Slovenia. spela.stunf@siol.net
authors.forename: Spela
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stunf
authors.forename: Miroslav
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Petrovec
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Žigon
authors.forename: Marko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hawlina
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kraut
authors.forename: Jolanda D F
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: de Groot-Mijnes
authors.forename: Nataša Vidovič
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Valentinčič
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000821:virology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000502:physiology; D015828:Eye Infections, Viral / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D015863:Iridocyclitis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012412:Rubella virus / Q000502:physiology; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000502:physiology; D017524:Slovenia; D013577:Syndrome; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000502:physiology; D014606:Uveitis, Anterior / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G