ABSTRACT
We evaluated T-lymphocyte subsets in 18 patients with active untreated uveitis and in 20 controls by monoclonal OKT (Ortho-Kung-T cell) antibodies. Both OKT4- and OKT8-positive cells were detected in the aqueous humor of patients with uveitis. The percentage of OKT4-positive cells (21.1 +/- 7.4) was larger than that of OKT8-positive cells (15.2 +/- 5.3) and the OKT4-OKT8 ratio was 1.40 +/- 0.3. A comparison of aqueous humor and peripheral blood cells from patients with uveitis showed diminished frequencies of OKT4- and OKT8-positive cells. The OKT4-OKT8 ratios were not significantly different. A comparison of peripheral blood cells from patients with uveitis and from controls showed that patients with uveitis had lower OKT4-OKT8 ratios. Lower percentages of OKT4-positive cells were also observed in the peripheral blood cells of patients with uveitis.
Subject(s)
Aqueous Humor/cytology , T-Lymphocytes/classification , Uveitis/immunology , Acute Disease , Antibodies, Monoclonal , Aqueous Humor/immunology , Humans , Leukocyte Count , T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory , Uveitis/bloodABSTRACT
Ocular toxoplasmosis and Fuchs' heterochromic cyclitis are well-defined diseases that have completely different clinical courses. We studied 13 patients (seven men and six women, ranging in age from 18 to 73 years) who had Fuchs' heterochromic cyclitis and the focal necrotizing chorioretinal lesions characteristic of ocular toxoplasmosis. The reason for this association is still unknown, as is the pathogenesis of Fuchs' heterochromic cyclitis. None of the patients had ciliary injection or posterior synechiae, but 11 of the 13 (84.6%) had keratic precipitates, anterior chamber reaction, and cataracts. Six patients (38.4%) had iris transillumination, two (15.3%) had glaucoma, and four (30.7%) had lesions in the fellow eyes.
