[Immunopathogenetic, clinical features and treatment of external exudative Coats' retinitis]

The findings of comprehensive clinical and immunopathogenetic examinations of 42 patients with external exudative Coats' retinitis showed the significance of infection in the etiopathogenesis of disease and helped identify the etiology, mainly infectious, in 47.6% patients, which correlated with case histories indicating foci of chronic infection and type I immunological insufficiency. Toxoplasma infection was the predominant etiological factor (38 cases). The predominant clinical symptoms were solid exudation, vascular changes, hemorrhages, vitreous involvement, and exudative detachment of the retina. Changes in the immune status were as follows: shifts in T- and B-immunity, impaired complex formation, in some cases selected deficit of IgA. Association of Coats' retinitis with erythrocytic phenotype B(III) was detected in 44% patients (p < 0.02); carriers of this blood group are at a high risk (RR 11.16) of the disease. The treatment was carried out with consideration for etiology, immunopathogenesis, and clinical picture and was supplemented by argon laser coagulation, if indicated.