Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026
Techniques for Processing Eyes Implanted With a Retinal Prosthesis for Localized Histopathological Analysis
Published on: August 2, 2013
Immunocytochemical staining of vitreous cells. Indications, techniques, and results
J L Davis1, D Solomon, R B Nussenblatt
1Laboratory of Immunology, National Eye Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892.
Insights
Immunocytochemical staining of vitreous samples aids in diagnosing eye conditions like infection, lymphoma, and uveitis. This method enhances diagnostic accuracy by identifying specific cell types, improving patient care.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Immunohistochemistry
- Histopathology
Background:
- Diagnostic vitrectomy is crucial for suspected intraocular infections or malignancies.
- Routine stains (Giemsa, Gram, Papanicolaou) offer limited diagnostic information from vitreous specimens.
- Immunocytochemistry presents an opportunity to enhance histopathologic analysis of vitreous samples.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of immunocytochemical staining in characterizing cellular infiltrates in vitreous specimens.
- To differentiate between infection, primary intraocular lymphoma, and uveitis using immunocytochemistry.
- To assess the potential of immunocytochemistry to increase the diagnostic yield of vitrectomy.
Main Methods:
- Vitreous specimens from 14 patients were analyzed using immunocytochemical staining.
- Monoclonal antibodies targeting leukocyte subclass antigens and immunoglobulin were employed.
- Staining patterns were correlated with clinical diagnoses of infection, lymphoma, and uveitis.
Main Results:
- Distinct immunocytochemical profiles were observed for each condition.
- Infections showed increased neutrophils and macrophages.
- Primary intraocular lymphomas exhibited light chain restriction in malignant B lymphocytes.
- Uveitis cases were characterized by a predominance of T lymphocytes.
Conclusions:
- Immunocytochemistry effectively characterizes cellular infiltrates in vitreous specimens.
- This technique aids in confirming microbiologic and clinical diagnoses.
- Routine use of immunocytochemistry is recommended to improve diagnostic yield from vitrectomy.
Abstract:
Diagnostic vitrectomy is often performed because of suspected infection or malignancy. Giemsa, Gram, and Papanicolaou stains are used routinely to identify the components in the vitreous. Immunocytochemical staining of cellular components of vitreous specimens has the potential to significantly increase the amount of useful information that can be gained from histopathologic study. Vitreous specimens from 14 patients undergoing diagnostic or therapeutic vitrectomy for infection, suspected primary intraocular lymphoma, or uveitis were examined by immunocytochemical staining using monoclonal antibodies specific for leukocyte subclass antigens and immunoglobulin. The three classes of disorders showed characteristic patterns of staining, which were useful in confirming microbiologic and clinical diagnoses. Infections showed more pronounced neutrophils and macrophages, primary intraocular lymphomas demonstrated light chain restriction of the malignant B lymphocytes, and uveitis was characterized by the predominance of T lymphocytes. The routine use of immunocytochemical staining is recommended to characterize cellular infiltrates and increase the diagnostic yield from vitrectomy specimens.
More Related Videos
10:46Retinal Cryo-sections, Whole-Mounts, and Hypotonic Isolated Vasculature Preparations for Immunohistochemical Visualization of Microvascular Pericytes
Published on: October 7, 2018
06:20Cell-Free DNA Extraction of Vitreous and Aqueous Humor Specimens for Diagnosis and Monitoring of Vitreoretinal Lymphoma
Published on: January 12, 2024
