Cellular immunity in Mooren's ulcer

Seven patients with the clinical diagnosis of Mooren's ulcer underwent macrophage migration inhibition factor testing for evidence of cellular immunity to corneal antigen. Six of seven patients demonstrated positive macrophage migration inhibition in response to corneal antigen, thus suggesting that cell-mediated immunity may play a role in the cause of Mooren's ulcer. One of these patients had a negative macrophage migration inhibition factor when the disease was inactive, but developed a positive response in association with a homograft rejection episode.