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. Purpose: Experimental data have demonstrated a relevant role for IL-6 in the modulation of acute ocular toxoplasmosis. Therefore, we aim to investigate the possible association between the IL-6 gene polymorphism at position -174 and toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis (TR) in humans. Methods: Ninety-seven patients with diagnosed TR were recruited from the Uveitis Section, Federal University of Minas Gerais. For comparison, 83 healthy blood donors with positive serology for toxoplasmosis and without retinal signs of previous TR were included in the study. Genomic DNA was obtained from oral swabs of individuals and amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with specific primers flanking the locus −174 of IL-6 (−174G/C). PCR products were submitted to restriction endonuclease digestion and analysed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to distinguish allele G and C of the IL-6 gene, allowing the detection of the polymorphism and determination of genotypes. Results: There was a significant difference in the genotype (χ2 = 12.9, p = 0.001) and allele (χ2 = 6.62, p = 0.01) distribution between TR patients and control subjects. In a subgroup analysis, there was no significant difference in genotypes and allele frequencies regarding TR recurrence. Conclusions: This study suggests that the genotypes related with a lower production of IL-6 may be associated with the occurrence of TR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sympathetic ophthalmia is a rare, bilateral granulomatous panuveitis following accidental or surgical trauma to one eye. The pathophysiology is not clearly understood, but is believed to be a T-cell mediated autoimmune response. Clinical presentation most often occurs within the first year after trauma; anteriorly it manifests as a chronic or acute uveitis with mutton-fat keratic precipitates, while posteriorly it is often accompanied by yellowish-white choroidal lesions or Dalen-Fuchs nodules. The mainstay of treatment consists of systemic anti-inflammatory agents such as oral corticosteroids, or other immunosuppressive agents. Newer treatments include intravitreal injections of steroids in combination with systemic therapy, periocular injections of steroids without systemic therapy, and injections of infliximab, an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Sympathetic ophthalmia is a rare, bilateral granulomatous uveitis that occurs after either surgical or accidental trauma to one eye. The ocular inflammation in the fellow eye becomes apparent usually within 3 months after injury. Clinical presentation is an insidious or acute anterior uveitis with mutton-fat keratic precipitates. The posterior segment manifests moderate to severe vitritis, usually accompanied by multiple yellowish-white choroidal lesions. Evidence suggests that sympathetic ophthalmia represents an autoimmune inflammatory response against choroidal melanocytes mediated by T cells. Diagnosis is based on clinical findings and a history of previous ocular trauma or surgery. Other causes of granulomatous uveitis, such as Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease, sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, and syphilis should be considered. Treatment of sympathetic ophthalmia consists of systemic anti-inflammatory agents with high dose oral corticosteroid as the drug of choice. However, if the inflammation cannot be controlled, cyclosporine is then used. Other immunosuppressive agents, such as chlorambucil, cyclophosphamide or azathioprine, may be necessary for the control of inflammation. The role of enucleation after the diagnosis of sympathetic ophthalmia remains controversial. Visual prognosis is reasonably good with prompt wound repair and appropriate immunomodulatory therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the study on the difference of toxoplasmosis gondii IgG antibody titres to patients with active and non active toxoplasmosis and non-toxoplasmic uveitis and the role of the titres in the diagnosis of the disease. Topics discussed include the study of patients at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (MEEI), the use of IMMULITE 1000 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the result on higher titres in patients with toxoplasmosis chorioretinitis.

Despite advances in therapy for rheumatic diseases, hydroxychloroquine remains almost universally recommended for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and is often used in the management of other rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the major dose-limiting toxicity of hydroxychloroquine is retinopathy that can lead to loss of vision. New highly sensitive screening methods can identify early stages of retinopathy, and studies that include these modalities have indicated a substantially higher prevalence of hydroxychloroquine retinopathy than was previously recognized, resulting in revisions to ophthalmology guidelines and the recommendation of a low dose of hydroxychloroquine for many patients. However, the efficacy of low-dose hydroxychloroquine for treating SLE and other rheumatic diseases is unknown. Further studies are required to establish the effectiveness and retinal safety of the latest hydroxychloroquine treatment recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxoplasma gondii infection is an important cause of infectious ocular disease. The physiopathology of retinochoroidal lesions associated with this infection is not completely understood. The present study was undertaken to investigate cytokine production by T cells from individuals with active toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis (TR) comparing with controls. Eighteen patients with active TR and 15 healthy controls (6 controls IgG + to Toxoplasma and 9 negative controls) were included in the study. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were incubated in the presence or absence of T. gondii antigen (STAg), and stained against CD4, CD8, TNF, IL-10 and IFN-γ. Baseline expression of cytokines was higher in TR/IgG + patients in comparison with controls. Cytokine expression was not increased by STAg in vitro stimulation in controls. After stimulation, TR/IgG + patients’ lymphocytes increased cytokine as compared to cultures from both controls. While T cells were the main source of IL-10, but also IFN-γ and TNF, other lymphocyte populations were relevant source of inflammatory cytokines. Interestingly, it was observed a negative correlation between ocular lesion size and IL-10 expression by CD4 + lymphocytes. This study showed that T cells are the main lymphocyte populations expressing IL-10 in patients with TR. Moreover, expression of IL-10 plays a protective role in active TR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]