Eosinophil activation in Wegener's granulomatosis: a harbinger of disease progression?

To investigate the relation between eosinophil activation in tissue from patients with an active, limited form of Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) affecting the eye and subsequent systemic disease activity.

Analysis of ocular specimens obtained from 10 patients was performed. Sections were probed with antibodies to assess the presence of major basic protein (MBP) and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP).

Four of the 10 specimens demonstrated the presence of MBP and ECP. WG progressed to the complete form in two of these patients, who received no or inadequate treatment. The other two, treated with cyclophosphamide for one year, did not progress to the complete form of WG during observation after therapy.

Activated eosinophils in sclera or conjunctiva of patients with ocular limited WG may predict progression to complete WG.