title: Measure of herpesvirus-specific ocular antibody production in patients with uveitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The amount of specific antiviral IgG in aqueous humour (AH) provides a major contribution to the diagnosis of herpesvirus uveitis. Ocular antibody production is often evaluated by comparing levels of specific and total IgG in serum and AH. The small volume of AH is a major limit for diagnosis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To simplify the measure of ocular antibody production, we tested the quotient of serum/AH ratios of specific and control antiviral IgG, using automated quantitative serology methods on minimal volumes of AH, in confirmed and suspected herpesvirus uveitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum and AH samples from herpesvirus PCR-positive uveitis patients, and from PCR-negative cases who were highly suspected to have viral uveitis were retrospectively analysed for ocular production of specific antiviral IgG using 40 μl of AH, and quantitative Enzygnost ELISA-based methods. Cataract and Fuchs cyclitis cases were used as controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ocular production of specific antiviral IgG was demonstrated in 32 (51.6%) of 62 herpesvirus PCR-positive uveitis cases, in none of 42 controls, and in 21 (55.2%) of 38 PCR-negative cases clinically suspected to have herpesvirus uveitis. The test had absolute specificity, and its sensitivity depended on the virus, pathology and timing of sampling.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ocular antibody production can be measured by simple quantitative ELISA-based methods on serum and minimal volumes of AH. This specific and sensitive test, implemented in the routine virology laboratory should help the diagnosis and specific antiviral therapy management of herpesvirus uveitis.
authors.affiliation: Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Cochin, Service de Virologie, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bojanova
authors.forename: Bahram
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bodaghi
authors.forename: Naila
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hannachi
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jouffroy
authors.forename: Audrey
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fel
authors.forename: Phuc
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Le Hoang
authors.forename: Flore
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rozenberg
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014605:Uveitis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral
keywords: Diagnosis; Herpesvirus; Ocular antibody production; Retinitis; Serology; Uveitis