Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2026
07:39
Longitudinal Follow-Up of Urinary Tract Infections and Their Treatment in Mice using Bioluminescence Imaging
Published on: June 14, 2021
Uveitis risk following oral fluoroquinolone therapy: a nested case-control Study
Farzin Forooghian1, David Maberley, David A Albiani
1Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia , Vancouver, British Columbia , Canada .
Ocular Immunology and Inflammation
|July 24, 2013
Summary
This study investigated the link between oral fluoroquinolones and uveitis, finding an elevated risk. However, other antibiotics also showed an association, suggesting underlying conditions may cause uveitis.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pharmacovigilance
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Uveitis is a significant cause of vision loss.
- Oral fluoroquinolones are widely prescribed antibiotics.
- Potential ocular side effects of fluoroquinolones warrant investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the association between oral fluoroquinolone use and the risk of developing uveitis.
- To explore antibiotic-associated uveitis.
- To differentiate drug effects from underlying disease processes.
Main Methods:
- Nested case-control study design.
- Utilized the British Columbia Health Linked Database (2000-2007).
- Included 3383 incident uveitis cases and 33,830 controls.
Main Results:
- An adjusted relative risk of 3.53 (95% CI, 2.84-4.39) for uveitis was observed with recent oral fluoroquinolone use.
- Significantly elevated uveitis risk was also noted with oral macrolides and beta-lactams.
- The findings suggest a broader antibiotic-uveitis association.
Conclusions:
- The study did not find convincing evidence specifically linking fluoroquinolones to uveitis.
- Associations were observed across multiple antibiotic classes.
- Underlying systemic conditions requiring antibiotic treatment may be the true cause of uveitis.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Inhibitors of Bacterial DNA Synthesis
Bacterial pathogens depend on precise and efficient DNA replication to sustain infection. Two type II topoisomerases—DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV—are critical to this process, as they resolve DNA supercoiling and unlink chromosomes during replication. Fluoroquinolones, synthetic derivatives of quinolones, exploit this mechanism by stabilizing the transient DNA–enzyme cleavage complex, preventing strand religation, and causing lethal double-strand breaks. These antibiotics are selectively...
01:27Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
01:24Drug Toxicity: Risk factors
Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) are potential complications that arise during pharmacotherapy, influenced by multiple risk factors. Age plays a significant role; both neonates and the elderly are at heightened risk due to their respective immature and diminished metabolic and elimination processes. Gender also impacts ADRs, with females experiencing a 1.5 to 1.7-fold greater risk than males, which may be linked to pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and hormonal differences. Notably, neonates, the...
01:28Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment
Angle-closure glaucoma, or closed-angle glaucoma, is an eye condition where the iris bulges out and blocks the iridocorneal angle, resulting in a buildup of aqueous humor and increased intraocular pressure. Immediate medical attention is necessary due to the sudden onset of symptoms. The treatment for angle-closure glaucoma includes short-term and long-term approaches. Short-term treatment involves using eye drops like pilocarpine to lower intraocular pressure by increasing aqueous humor...
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin create...
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin create...
01:12Relative Risk
Relative risk (RR) is a statistical measure commonly used in epidemiology to compare the likelihood of a particular event occurring between two groups. This metric is important for evaluating the relationship between exposure to a specific risk factor and the probability of a particular outcome. It plays a crucial role in medical research, public health studies, and risk assessment. Relative risk quantifies how much more (or less) likely an event is to occur in an exposed group compared to an...