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Graefes Arch Clin Exp OphthalmolOctober 201053 citations

Rubella virus as a possible etiological agent of Fuchs heterochromic iridocyclitis.

Suzuki Jun, Goto Hiroshi, Komase Katsuhiro, Abo Hitoshi, Fujii Kaoru, Otsuki Noriyuki, Okamoto Kiyoko


AI Summary

This study found rubella virus antibodies and genetic material in FHI patients, suggesting rubella is a key cause, impacting diagnosis and potentially future treatment strategies.

Abstract

Background

To determine whether rubella virus is involved in the pathogenesis of Fuchs heterochromic iridocyclitis (FHI).

Methods

Fourteen patients (14 eyes) diagnosed with FHI based on characteristic ocular manifestations and eight control subjects were studied. Aqueous humor (AH) samples from 14 FHI patients and one vitreous sample from a FHI patient were analyzed for intraocular antibody production against rubella virus by calculation of the Goldmann-Witmer coefficient (GWC). Viral detection by nested polymerase chain reaction and isolation by culture in RK-13 cells were conducted in nine FHI patients. In addition to laboratory examinations, medical history of rubella virus vaccination was also obtained.

Results

Ten patients with FHI examined showed intraocular synthesis of rubella virus antibodies (GWC > 3). A high index of rubella virus antibody production was also found in the vitreous sample (GWC = 30.6). GWC in all control subjects were below detectable level. The rubella genome was detected in two of nine patients, and rubella virus was isolated from one of nine patients with FHI. None of the patients with FHI had been vaccinated against rubella.

Conclusions

Our laboratory data strongly suggest a relationship between FHI and rubella virus.


MeSH Terms

AdultAgedAged, 80 and overAntibodies, ViralAqueous HumorDNA, ViralEye Infections, ViralFemaleHumansIridocyclitisMaleMiddle AgedReverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain ReactionRubellaRubella virusVitreous Body

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