Absence of recognition of common melanocytic antigens by T cells isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid of a Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada patient.

Purpose: Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) syndrome is an autoimmune disease characterized by inaugural uveomeningitidis and hearing loss and at late stages a depigmentation in eyes and skin. Melanocytes are the cells common to the four affected tissues, namely eye, brain, inner ear, and skin. Melanocytes are therefore considered as the source of self-antigens.

Ophthalmologic manifestations of systemic necrotizing vasculitides at diagnosis: a retrospective study of 1286 patients and review of the literature.

Objective: To determine the frequencies and types of ophthalmologic manifestations in patients with systemic necrotizing vasculitides (SNV), including polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) and ANCA-associated vasculitides (granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's, GPA), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA); Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS)) and review the literature on eye involvement in these diseases.

Methods: This retrospective analysis was conducted on the ophthalmologic manifestations of SNV patients entered into the French Vasculitis Study Group database between July 1955 and August 2008.

Results: Among the 1286 identified patients, 214 (16.

Clinical manifestations of ocular toxoplasmosis.

Clinical manifestations of ocular toxoplasmosis are reviewed. Findings of congenital and acute acquired ocular toxoplasmosis include retinal scars, white-appearing lesions in the active phase often associated with vitritis. Complications can include fibrous bands, secondary serous or rhegmatogenous retinal detachments, optic neuritis and neuropathy, cataracts, increased intraocular pressure during active infection, and choroidal neovascular membranes.

Macular oedema following rituximab infusion in two patients with Wegener's granulomatosis.

Rituximab, a monoclonal antibody now widely used to treat autoimmune diseases, has been reported to be effective against refractory Wegener's granulomatosis and its ophthalmic involvement. Herein, we report on 2 patients with refractory Wegener's granulomatosis and scleritis in whom cystoid macular oedema occurred several weeks after rituximab infusions. Notably, scleritis had already resolved when macular oedema was diagnosed.

A new HLA extended haplotype containing the A*2910 allele in birdshot retinochoroidopathy: susceptibility narrowed to the HLA molecule itself.

Purpose: Birdshot retinochoroidopathy (BSRC) is a rare posterior uveitis characterized by distinctive, multiple, hypopigmented choroidal and retinal lesions. Most, if not all, patients are white and share the major histocompatibility antigen HLA-A29. Furthermore, the A*2902 subtype is closely associated with BSRC, and only a very few patients share the A*2901 subtype.

In vitro effect of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma in retinal cell infection with Toxoplasma gondii.

Purpose: Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan parasite and the most common cause of infectious uveitis. This study was conducted to evaluate the in vitro effect of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interferon (IFN)-gamma in rat retinal cells infected with T. gondii.

Respective roles of acquired and congenital infections in presumed ocular toxoplasmosis.

Purpose: To analyze the roles of acquired or congenital infections in cases of ocular toxoplasmosis, and to compare their clinical manifestations.

Design: Retrospective, observational case series.

Methods: We analyzed the charts of consecutive patients with a diagnosis of ocular toxoplasmosis.

Different HLA class IA region complotypes for HLA-A29.2 and -A29.1 antigens, identical in birdshot retinochoroidopathy patients or healthy individuals.

Purpose: Birdshot retinochoroidopathy (BSCR) is a rare posterior uveitis characterized by distinctive, multiple, hypopigmented choroidal and retinal lesions. At least 96% of patients, if not all, share the major histocompatibility antigen HLA-A29. Although it was hypothesized earlier that more frequently the A*2902 subtype was closely associated with BSCR, new patients were found to share the A*2901 subtype and were further investigated.