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Updated: May 10, 2026
Retinal Vascular Reactivity as Assessed by Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography
Published on: March 26, 2020
Retinal vasculitis associated with type M2 antimitochondrial antibodies
Axelle M Cools1, Bert Maertens2, Karen De Letter3
1Department of Ophthalmology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
Purpose:
We report a case of bilateral retinal vasculitis in a patient with type M2 antimitochondrial antibodies (AMA-M2).
Method:
Observational case report.
Results:
A 35-year-old female presented with photopsia without reduction in visual acuity in either eye. Ocular examination revealed bilateral retinal vasculitis, mainly affected the retinal veins, which was more extensive in the left eye. Both the large, central veins as the small, peripheral veins showed inflammatory involvement, without occlusive disease. Broad systemic investigation including blood analysis, chest and brain imaging showed no abnormalities, except for AMA-M2 positivity. Hepatologic and rheumatologic assessment showed no signs of cholestasis or associated connective tissue disease. The patient responded favorably to systemic steroid treatment with adjunctive mycophenolate mofetil (1g twice daily). Ongoing follow-up was arranged to monitor the hepatic function given the substantial risk of developing primary biliary cholangitis (PBC).
Conclusion:
Retinal vasculitis may be associated with AMA-M2 positivity. This case expands on the diverse spectrum of autoimmune diseases associated with type M2 antimitochondrial antibodies. Whether these antibodies play a direct role within the etiopathogenesis of retinal vasculitis or represent an epiphenomenon, remains elusive.
