Circulating Immune Complexes in Acute Uveitis: A Possible Association with the Histocompatibility Complex Locus Antigen B27

Abstract

39 patients with acute anterior uveitis were investigated for the presence of circulating immune complexes (IC) and correlation with the major histocompatibility complex antigen B27 (HLA–B27). ICs were demonstrated by a number of techniques including rheumatoid factor, complement (C) activation, anticomplementary activity, cryoglobulins, inhibition of IgG–EA rosette formation and neutrophil chemotactic index (NCI) in plasma. ICs were most frequently detected in HLA-B27-negative patients. These results indicate that deposition of circulating ICs may be involved in the pathogenesis of acute anterior uveitis, especially in HLA-B27-negative patients.

Iritis and Conjunctivitis Associated With Chickenpox

“…This is enough time for formation of varicella antibodies and circulating antigenantibody complexes, which might have deposited in the iris or conjunctiva causing the ocular inflammation. This is in good agreement with the finding of immune complexes most frequently in HLA-B27 negative patients with acute anterior uveitis (Andrews et al 1979).…”

Acute Anterior Uveitis and Hla Antigens

“…The deposition of circulating immune complexes may be involved more generally in the pathogenesis of HLA-B27 negative AAU (Andrews et al 1979) and of chronic anterior uveitis (Char et al 1979). In HLA-B27 positive patients immune complexes may modify the characteristic AAU entity.…”

Acute anterior uveitis in association with Klebsiella pneumoniae and HLA-B27.

“…A recent study has detected elevated circulating immune complexes in AAU patients and correlates their findings with the absence of B27 antigen (Andrews et al 1979). It was postulated that the dominant immunopathologic reaction in B27 positive patients is cell-mediated tissue injury, while in the B27 negative group immune complex mediated injury may be the responsible mechanism.…”