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Anticardiolipin antibodies in uveitis
A M Klok1, R Geertzen, A Rothova
1Department of Ophthalmology, Free University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Current Eye Research
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA) were found in patients with posterior uveitis, particularly those with acute retinal necrosis and idiopathic retinal vasculitis. Further research is needed to understand the role of these autoantibodies in retinal vasculitis.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA) are linked to thrombosis and vascular diseases.
- ACA may play a role in the pathogenesis of retinal vasculitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and potential role of anticardiolipin antibodies in patients with posterior uveitis.
- To determine if ACA are associated with specific subtypes of retinal vasculitis.
Main Methods:
- Sera from 86 posterior uveitis patients and 100 healthy controls were tested for anticardiolipin antibodies.
- Antibody presence was assessed across different uveitis subtypes, including acute retinal necrosis, idiopathic retinal vasculitis, syphilis, SLE, Behçet's disease, sarcoidosis, toxoplasmosis, multiple sclerosis, and Birdshot chorioretinopathy.
Main Results:
- Anticardiolipin antibodies were detected in 15 out of 86 uveitis patients.
- ACA were found in patients with acute retinal necrosis (7/24), idiopathic retinal vasculitis (4/10), syphilis (3/6), and one SLE patient.
- No ACA were detected in patients with Behçet's disease, sarcoidosis, toxoplasmosis, multiple sclerosis, or Birdshot chorioretinopathy.
- Ten healthy controls had IgM-class cardiolipin antibodies.
Conclusions:
- Anticardiolipin antibodies are present in a subset of posterior uveitis patients, particularly those with retinal vasculitis.
- The specific role of ACA in the pathogenesis of retinal vasculitis requires further investigation.