Nonspecific immune parameters and hepatitis B antigens in patients with uveitis

In the sera of 217 patients with uveitis the immunoglobulins IgG, IgA, IgM as well as beta1A (a measurable metabolic product of the third component of complement) were measured by radial immunodiffusion. IgG was below normal levels in 12% of the patients, IgM was increased in 12%, while reduced beta1A concentrations could be found in 28%. 95 sera were also tested for the presence of antibodies against cell nuclei, smooth muscle and thyroglobulin. There was no significantly increased incidence of any of these antibodies. The data were interpreted as not being in favor of the hypothesis that autoimmune phenomena play a key role in the pathogenesis of uveitis. An unexpected finding was the high frequency of hepatitis B antigen (13%) and corresponding antibodies (23%) in sera of uveitis patients compared to other hospitalized patients and blood donors. At present, there is no explanation for this phenomenon.