EBV-induced polymorphic lymphoproliferative disorder of the iris after heart transplantation.

Background: Posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) of the iris is a rare entity with only ten cases having been published as yet. Its clinical aspect is typical. Therapy is multimodal and affords an interdisciplinary approach.

[Therapeutic vitrectomy in uveitis: current status and recommendations].

With the advent of modern vitreoretinal surgical techniques, the spectrum for surgical intervention in various forms of uveitis has been notably expanded. Removal of optically relevant vitreous opacities, improvement of secondary macular edema, delamination of epiretinal membranes, and release of traction in the presence of abnormal vitreoretinal adhesions represent indications for vitreoretinal procedures in uveitis patients. Furthermore, retinal and choroidal biopsies may be obtained if the precise etiology is unknown.

The good, the bad and the ugly--APCs of the eye.

Dendritic-cell (DC) populations throughout the body have a wide range of features in common, which are associated with their primary function in antigen presentation. The unique immune milieu of the anterior segment of the eye is characterized by a selective DC-dependent inability to develop delayed hypersensitivity responses following antigen invasion into the eye. Recent research papers provide evidence that different maturation stages of DC subsets are detectable at different corneal sites.

Immunology and functional genomics of Behçet's disease.

Behçet's disease (BD) is a multisystemic inflammatory disorder. Although the cause and pathogenesis of BD are still unclear, there is evidence for genetic, immunologic and infectious factors at the onset or in the course of BD. This review focuses on the functional genomics and immunology of BD.

[Familial uveitis. Forms and incidence in patients at the University Eye Hospital Tubingen].

Objective: A familial accumulation in some forms of uveitis has rarely been described. The objective of this study was to identify such cases and to examine both clinical course and similarities in the HLA-pattern.

Methods: From 1993 to 2000 all new uveitis patients, who were examined in the uveitis clinic of the University Eye Hospital Tuebingen, were asked about a positive family history.

Human recombinant interferon alfa-2a for the treatment of Behçet's disease with sight threatening posterior or panuveitis.

Background: Behçet's disease is a multisystem vasculitis of unknown origin. Standard treatment mainly comprises systemic immunosuppressive agents. Ocular involvement, mostly posterior uveitis with retinal vasculitis, leads to blindness in 20-50% of the involved eyes within 5 years.

[Cyclosporin A 2% eyedrops in therapy of atopic and vernal keratoconjunctivitis].

Background: The efficacy of Cyclosporin A 2%eyedrops (CsA2%) as an additive treatment of atopic (AKC) and vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) was evaluated.

Patients And Methods: The symptoms and findings of 26 patients with AKC and 12 patients with VKC with no improvement under conventional therapy, were additionally treated with CsA2% eyedrops and compared over a minimum follow-up period of 3 months to more than 24 months.

Results: The therapy with CsA2% eyedrops was well tolerated and evaluated as effective by the patients.

[Successful topical cyclosporin A in the therapy of progressive vascularising keratitis in keratitis-ichthyosis-deafness (KID) syndrome (Senter syndrome)].

Background: The keratitis-ichthyosis-deafness (KID) syndrome (Senter Syndrome) and its major criteria erythrokeratodermia, neuro-sensoric deafness and vascularising keratitis were defined in 1981. Several cases have been described since 1915, but up to now no causal therapy of this disease with sporadic occurrence has been found. Clinical experience using systemic Cyclosporin A (CsA) in the dermatological therapy of the KID syndrome differs.

[Chronic keratitis and autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy syndrome - a case report].

Background: The autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy syndrome (APECED) is a rare disease which can be associated with severe keratitis leading to blindness. Besides conjunctivitis and keratitis uveitis anterior, cataract, retinitis pigmentosa, atrophy of the optical nerve, loss of lashes and eye-brows have been described.

Case Report: We report on an 11-year-old girl with the history of APECED syndrom.

[Behçet's disease: uveitis-therapy with interferon alpha2a - prospective clinical study in 33 patients].

Introduction: Behçet's disease (BD) is a multisystem vasculitis of unknown origin. Visual outcome in BD is bad irrespective of therapy. We investigated in a prospective, open clinical trial wether interferon alpha2a (IFN alpha2a) is effective as single agent in severe ocular BD.

[Neurological complications in acute posterior multifocal placoid pigmentepitheliopathy (APMPPE) - a review with case report].

Background: Acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy (APMPPE) is an ocular disease of young adults with a favorable visual outcome. Up to present the etiology and pathophysiology of APMPPE have not been thoroughly understood. Serious inflammatory systemic and neurological diseases have been described in association with APMPPE.

Complex behaviour of spiral waves induced by an alternating electric field.

An efficient control of chemical waves is desirable in various fields of science and engineering. We present a novel method to control the motion of the spiral tip using an electric field perpendicular to the plane of wave propagation. An alternating field may lead to complex spatio-temporal patterns.

The ocular surface and tear film and their dysfunction in dry eye disease.

The ocular surface, tear film, lacrimal glands, and eyelids act as a functional unit to preserve the quality of the refractive surface of the eye and to resist injury and protect the eye against changing bodily and environmental conditions. Events that disturb the homeostasis of this functional unit can result in a vicious cycle of ocular surface disease. The tear film is the most dynamic structure of the functional unit, and its production and turnover is essential to maintaining the health of the ocular surface.

[Secondary ocular syphilis with chorioretinitis of the posterior pole - a case report].

Background: Diagnosis of syphilis is often very difficult due to the absence of typical organ manifestation. In addition syphilis has the ability to imitate any ocular inflammation. This may result in misdiagnosis and delay of appropriate antimicrobial therapy.

[Immunosuppressive therapy with mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept) in treatment of uveitis].

Background: Severe forms of uveitis can often only be managed sufficiently with systemic immunosuppression. All available drugs are known for their relative high rate of side-effects. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), an immunosuppressant successfully used in management after organ transplantation and many autoimmune diseases, has shown remarkably less side-effects when used for various forms of uveitis in monotherapy or in combination with corticosteroids.