Recurrent Acute Anterior Uveitis Research Articles

Comparative risk of incident and recurrent acute anterior uveitis across different biological agents in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

To evaluate the comparative risk of incident and recurrent acute anterior uveitis (AAU) across different biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). A retrospective nationwide cohort study was conducted on 34 621 patients with AS without a previous history of AAU using a national claims database. Patients were followed-up from 2010 to 2021. The comparative risk of incident and recurrent AAU across different bDMARDs was examined using multivariable time-dependent Cox models and counting process (AG) models, respectively. The adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for incident AAU (bDMARDs non-exposure as reference) were: adalimumab 0.674 (0.581-0.891), etanercept 1.760 (1.540-2.012), golimumab 0.771 (0.620-0.959), infliximab 0.891 (0.741-1.071), and secukinumab 1.324 (0.794-2.209). Compared with adalimumab exposure, etanercept (aHR = 2.553 [2.114-3.083]), infliximab (aHR = 1.303 [1.039-1.634]), and secukinumab exposures (aHR = 2.173 [1.273-3.710]) showed a higher risk of incident AAU. The aHRs and 95% CIs for recurrent AAU (bDMARDs non-exposure as reference) were: adalimumab 0.798 (0.659-0.968), etanercept 1.416 (1.185-1.693), golimumab 0.874 (0.645-1.185), infliximab 0.926 (0.729-1.177), and secukinumab 1.257 (0.670-2.359). Compared with adalimumab exposure, etanercept exposure (aHR = 1.793 [1.403-2.292]) was associated with a higher risk of recurrent AAU. Our data suggest preference for bDMARDs in the following order: adalimumab/golimumab > infliximab > secukinumab > etanercept (for incident AAU prevention) and adalimumab > golimumab/infliximab/secukinumab > etanercept (for recurrent AAU prevention).

Extra-musculoskeletal manifestations driving the therapeutic decision-making in patients with Spondyloarthritis: a 12-month follow-up prospective cohort study

BackgroundThe extra-musculoskeletal manifestations (EMMs) such as recurrent acute anterior uveitis (rAAU), psoriasis (Ps), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), are related to the Spondyloarthritis (SpA), as well as they are associated with disease activity and poor prognosis. However, there are no data addressing its relevance regarding therapeutic decision-making in clinical practice.ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of EMMs to drive the treatment decision-making in patients with SpA in a 12-month follow-up.Patients and methodsSpA patients, according to the axial and peripheral ASAS classification criteria, as well as CASPAR criteria, with any active EMM, defined as main entry criteria, were included in this longitudinal cohort study. Individuals with a history of any disease or condition that could be associated with some of the studied endpoints, including neoplasms and infectious diseases, were excluded. Specific tools related to each EMM, including Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI), ophthalmologic evaluation, according to the Standardization of Uveitis Nomenclature (SUN) criteria, and gut complaints were used at baseline and during the 3-, 6- and 12-month of follow-up as outcomes measures over time. Descriptive and inferential analyses were used appropriately, including Pearson’s correlation test, chi-squared test, and ANOVA. P value less than 0.05 was considered as significant.ResultsA total of 560 patients were enrolled, of whom 472 meet the eligibility criteria. The majority (N = 274; 59.6%) had one or more EMM related to SpA umbrella concept. Among the EMM, the one that most influenced therapeutic decision-making was psoriasis (28.5%), followed by uveitis (17.5%) and IBD (5.5%), regardless of musculoskeletal manifestations. Clinical improvement of EMMs outcomes was observed in most patients over 12-month follow-up, especially in those with rAAU and IBD (P < 0.001).ConclusionOur results showed that EMMs guided the therapeutic decision-making in half of SpA patients, regardless of musculoskeletal condition, suggesting the inter-disciplinarity among the rheumatologist, ophthalmologist, dermatologist, and gastroenterologist plays a crucial role to manage them.

Uveitis in peripheral spondyloarthritis patients: an ancillary analysis of the ASAS-PerSpA study.

Background:Acute anterior uveitis (AAU) is the most frequent extra-musculoskeletal manifestation in spondyloarhtritis (SpA). Previous data on AAU focused on axial disease; therefore, it is not well known whether the clinical characteristics of patients with AAU and recurrent AAU differ between patients with axial and peripheral SpA.Objective:Primary objective was to compare the clinical characteristics of patients with AAU from patients without AAU in axial and peripheral spondyloarthritis (SpA) patients. Secondary objectives were to describe the clinical features of patients with AAU in the subset of patients with peripheral SpA (pSpA) and the clinical characteristics of patients with recurrent AAU in SpA patients.Design:This is an ancillary analysis of the ASAS-PerSpA study which included 3152 patients, 2719 patients with axSpA and 433 with pSpA according to rheumatologist judgement.Methods:Recurrent AAU was defined as the presence of two or more episodes of AAU ever. Univariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with the presence of AAU ever and the presence of recurrent AAU.Results:Overall, 663 patients (21%) presented AAU. Of them, 444 (66.9%) presented recurrent episodes. In patients with SpA, HLA-B27 positivity is the most important factor linked to the presence of AAU, odds ratio (OR) = 2.70 (95% CI = 2.04–3.6). In patients with pSpA, HLA-B27 positivity was also the most relevant factor linked to the presence of AAU, OR = 6.08 (95% CI = 2.72–15.68). Moreover, disease duration, younger age and higher body mass index (BMI) were the only factors slightly linked to the presence of recurrent episodes, OR = 1.03 (95% CI = 1.01–1.04), OR = 1.01 (95% CI = 1.00–1.03) and OR = 1.04 (95% CI = 1.01–1.08), respectively.Conclusion:HLA-B27 positivity is the most relevant factor linked to AAU risk in SpA patients, and this association is even stronger in those patients with pSpA. Moreover, our study did not find an association between HLA-B27 positivity and recurrent AAU in SpA patients.

Extraskeletal Manifestations in Axial Spondyloarthritis Are Associated With Worse Clinical Outcomes Despite the Use of Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitor Therapy.

To investigate the prevalence and 4-year incidence of acute anterior uveitis (AAU), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and psoriasis (PsO), and to explore associations of newly developed extraskeletal manifestations (ESMs) with clinical disease outcome in a large cohort of patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). All consecutive patients included in the Groningen Leeuwarden Axial Spondyloarthritis (GLAS) cohort between 2004 and 2011 were analyzed. History of ESMs at baseline and newly developed ESMs during 4-year follow-up were only recorded when diagnosis by an ophthalmologist, gastroenterologist, or dermatologist was present. Of the 414 included patients with axSpA, 31.4% had a positive history of ≥ 1 ESMs: 24.9% AAU, 9.4% IBD, and 4.3% PsO. History of PsO was significantly associated with more radiographic damage, especially of the cervical spine. Of the 362 patients with 4-year follow-up data, 15.7% patients developed an ESM: 13.3% patients had AAU (of which 3.6% had a first episode and 9.7% had recurrent AAU), 1.9% developed IBD, and 0.8% developed PsO. Patients with newly developed ESMs (without history of ESMs) had worse Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life scores (mean 10.0 vs. 5.8, P = 0.001), larger occiput-wall distance (median 6.3 vs. 2.0, P = 0.02) and more limited modified Schober test (mean 12.6 vs. 13.6, P = 0.01) after 4 years of follow-up. The majority of patients developing an ESM used anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy. History of ESMs was present at baseline in one-third of patients with axSpA. The 4-year incidence of ESMs was relatively low, but patients who developed a new ESM reported worse quality of life.

Triggering factors associated with a new episode of recurrent acute anterior uveitis

To identify triggering factors for the next inflammatory episode of recurrent acute anterior uveitis (RAAU), a 1:1 case–control study was conducted. We interviewed RAAU patients with recent acute anterior uveitis attack and quiescent controls for their information during a previous month using Srithanya Stress Test (ST-5) and questionnaires about potential triggering factors. Asymptomatic controls were matched for age (± 5 years), sex, and HLA-B27. There were 39 pairs of cases and controls. Patients who recently experienced a uveitis attack demonstrated higher mean ST-5 scores (3.7 ± 2.9 vs 0.7 ± 1.1) and shorter sleep time (6.3 ± 1.4 vs 7.4 ± 0.7 h per day) compared with their controls. In the multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis, ST-5 score ≥ 3 (OR 9.07, 95% CI 1.14–72.16, p = 0.037) and sleep time < 7 h per day (OR 12.12, 95% CI 1.37–107.17, p = 0.025) were more likely to trigger a uveitis attack in RAAU accounted for patients’ age, sex, HLA- B27 positivity, and presence of concurrent anti-inflammatory drugs for co-existing diseases. Other suspected triggering factors were not found to have any significant association. In short, stress and inadequate sleep may lead to the future episode of acute anterior uveitis in RAAU. Both physical and emotional stress management should be advised to RAAU patients to minimize recurrences and further complications.

Reduction of anterior uveitis flares in patients with axial spondyloarthritis on certolizumab pegol treatment: final 2-year results from the multicenter phase IV C-VIEW study.

Introduction:Acute anterior uveitis (AAU), affecting up to 40% of patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), risks permanent visual deficits if not adequately treated. We report 2-year results from C-VIEW, the first study to prospectively investigate certolizumab pegol (CZP) on AAU in patients with active axSpA at high risk of recurrent AAU.Patients and methods:C-VIEW (NCT03020992) was a 104-week (96 weeks plus 8-week safety follow-up), open-label, multicenter study. Eligible patients had active axSpA, human leukocyte antigen-B27 (HLA-B27) positivity and a history of recurrent AAU (⩾2 AAU flares in total; ⩾1 in the year prior to baseline). Patients received CZP 400 mg at weeks 0, 2 and 4, then 200 mg every 2 weeks to week 96. The primary efficacy endpoint was the AAU flare event rate during 96 weeks’ CZP versus 2 years pre-baseline.Results:Of 115 enrolled patients, 89 initiated CZP (male: 63%; radiographic/non-radiographic axSpA: 85%/15%; mean disease duration: 9.1 years); 83 completed week 96. There was a significant 82% reduction in AAU flare event rate during CZP versus pre-baseline [rate ratio (95% confidence interval): 0.18 (0.12–0.28), p < 0.001]. One hundred percent and 59.6% of patients experienced ⩾1 and ⩾2 AAU flares pre-baseline, respectively, compared to 20.2% and 11.2% during treatment. Age, sex and axSpA population subgroup analyses were consistent with the primary analysis. There were substantial improvements in axSpA disease activity with no new safety signal identified.Conclusion:CZP treatment significantly reduced AAU flare event rate in patients with axSpA and a history of AAU, indicating CZP is a suitable treatment option for patients at risk of recurrent AAU.Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov:NCT03020992, URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03020992

A Cross-Sectional Online Survey Identifies Subspecialty Differences in the Management of Pediatric Cataracts Associated with Uveitis.

IntroductionTo determine if differences exist between pediatric ophthalmologists and uveitis ophthalmologists in the treatment of pediatric uveitic cataracts and placement of intraocular lenses.MethodsUveitis ophthalmologists and pediatric ophthalmologists were surveyed via an online poll regarding their therapeutic management of pediatric uveitic cataract and intraocular lens (IOL) placement.ResultsSixty-two responses from uveitis ophthalmologists and 47 responses from pediatric ophthalmologists were recorded. According to 79% of all responses, uveitis was not a contraindication for primary IOL implantation in patients with controlled intraocular inflammation. Pediatric ophthalmologists were more likely to respond that the presence of chronic juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated iridocyclitis, pars planitis, or recurrent acute anterior uveitis is a contraindication for primary IOL implantation in pediatric cases with full control of intraocular inflammation. There was no consensus within either specialty with regard to the preferred IOL material for lens implantation. Uveitis ophthalmologists were more likely to report the use of intravenous and intravitreal steroids for perioperative treatment. In cataract surgery for a child with recurrent acute anterior uveitis, a higher percentage of uveitis ophthalmologists (71%) than pediatric ophthalmologists (50%) responded that the posterior capsule should be primarily opened. A higher percentage of uveitis ophthalmologists also stated that anterior vitrectomy should be performed at the time of cataract surgery in all three uveitis types.ConclusionsPediatric ophthalmologists and uveitis ophthalmologists have similar approaches to the management of pediatric uveitic cataract removal and IOL insertion, but several differences remain between these subspecialties. Continued collaboration between the subspecialties would be helpful to better develop consistent criteria to improve patient care.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s40123-020-00245-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Ultrasonographic Enthesis Evaluation in Patients with Recurrent Acute Anterior Uveitis with and without Spondyloarthropathy

Background: spondyloarthritis (SpA) is a group of chronic diseases recognized by arthritis and extraarticular lesions e.g. uveitis, enthesitis, dermatological affection. About 35% of SpA patients may present with recurrent attacks of acute anterior uveitis (AAU). Purpose: it was to detect whether patients with idiopathic recurrent AAU who were positive or negative for Human Leukocyte Antigen B27 (HLA–B27) had a frequency of enthesis lesions compared to that seen in patients with SpA. Patients and Methods: a prospective study of enthesis evident on musculoskeletal ultrasound examination was done on sixty patients and twenty controls, the eighty were categorized into 4 groups; group 1 included 20 patients with known SpA group 2 included 20 with recurrent AAU HLA–B27 positive and didn’t have SpA aspects group 3 included 20 with recurrent AAU HLA–B27 negative and didn’t have SpA and group 4 included 20 healthy controls. Using Madrid Sonography Enthesitis Index (MASEI) twelve enthesis locations were assessed in each participant. Results: a total of 960 entheses sites were examined by ultrasonography in all 80 participants. The MASEI cut-off limit of ≥18 points was 75%, 60%, 45%, and 10% of the participants in the 4 groups; respectively. The MASEI score was significantly higher in groups 1&2 than in groups 3&4. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant. Conclusion: a high percent of HLA–B27 positive patients with idiopathic recurrent AAU without characteristics of SpA have enthesis lesions with about percent to those seen in patients with known SpA.

Reduced Occurrence Rate of Acute Anterior Uveitis in Ankylosing Spondylitis Treated with Golimumab - The GO-EASY Study.

Acute anterior uveitis (AAU) is common in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Golimumab (GOL), a tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitor (TNFi), has proven to be effective in the treatment of AS. To date, the effect of GOL on the incidence of AAU in AS is unknown. The objective was to study the AAU occurrence rate in patients with AS during GOL treatment and secondarily, the efficacy of GOL in daily clinical practice. The study was a multicenter prospective study in a real-world setting in patients with AS who were treated with GOL for 12 months. The occurrence of AAU was assessed in the year before the initial TNFi treatment and during GOL treatment and calculated for the period at risk for a new AAU. Measures for disease activity [Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS)] and treatment response [Assessment of Spondyloarthritis international Society (ASAS20 score)] were collected. In total, 93 patients (65% male, 55% TNFi-naive, 27% history of AAU) were included, with a median disease duration of 7 years and ASDAS score of 3.1. During GOL treatment, the AAU occurrence rate was reduced from 11.1 to 2.2 per 100 patient-years (rate-ratio 0.20, 95% CI 0.04-0.91). After 3 months of treatment, 41% of the patients experienced a clinically important improvement of the ASDAS score (p < 0.001) and 36% an ASDAS20 response (p < 0.001). At month 12, 49% had achieved an ASAS20 response (p < 0.001). In AS, the AAU occurrence rate and disease activity decreased significantly during GOL treatment. Therefore, GOL can be considered a good choice in patients with AS who need a TNFi, especially in cases of recurrent AAU. (EudraCT number: 2012-002458-21).

Sacroiliac Joint Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Asymptomatic Patients with Recurrent Acute Anterior Uveitis: A Proof-of-concept Study

Our aim was to quantify bone marrow edema (BME) and/or structural lesions in the sacroiliac joints (SIJ) of patients with recurrent acute anterior uveitis (rAAU) with or without back pain, to evaluate the frequency of axial (axSpA) and peripheral spondyloarthritis (pSpA) and to establish which criterion for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) positivity best reflected the global assessment of SIJ MRI. A total of 50 patients with rAAU without prior rheumatologic diagnosis were included in our cross-sectional study, and these patients were compared to 21 healthy volunteers. SIJ MRI scans were read by 2 rheumatologists according to the Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC/MORPHO) protocol. Discrepant cases were adjudicated by a radiologist. Patients with rAAU were diagnosed with axSpA (Group 1, n = 20, 40%) and nonspecific back pain (Group 2, n = 6, 12%), or as being asymptomatic (Group 3, n = 24, 48%). Group 3 results showed 9 patients (37.5%) had SIJ MRI and/or were radiography-positive for axSpA (5 MRI and radiograph, 1 MRI, 3 radiograph). SIJ MRI scans that were compatible with SpA in groups 1 (n = 12) and 3 (n = 6) were similar in acute and structural lesions that were analyzed according to SPARCC/MORPHO. The best sensitivity/specificity criterion for defining a positive global MRI assessment was a BME score ≥ 3 (88%/94%). This is the first study evaluating SIJ MRI in patients with rAAU without back symptoms, showing positive findings for sacroiliitis. Moreover, a BME score ≥ 3 had better performance to define an SIJ MRI as positive for axSpA.

A2.6 Enthesis inflammation in inflammatory bowel diseases without spondyloarthritis

IntroductionDuring the past century has found an interesting interconnection between some intestinal diseases and arthritis. This link is most evident in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn disease (CD) and ulcerative...

THU0441 Enthesis inflammation in inflammatory bowel diseases without spondyloarthritis

BackgroundDuring the past century has found an interesting interconnection between some intestinal diseases and arthritis. This link is most evident in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn disease (CD) and ulcerative...

Acute Anterior Uveitis in Sydney

Purpose: To evaluate the patterns of acute and recurrent acute anterior uveitis (AAU) in a metropolitan tertiary referral center.Methods: A retrospective medical record review of a total of 241 patients with AAU presenting to Sydney Eye Hospital between June 2009 and June 2011 was performed. Patients who underwent typing for the HLA-B27 antigen were included in this study. Ninety-five patients were HLA-B27-positive and 146 were HLA-B27-negative.Results: Seronegative spondyloarthropathy (n = 26, 11%) was the most common systemic disease association in the HLA-B27 positive patients. Posterior synechiae was the most common complication. Complications of cataract, ocular hypertension, secondary glaucoma, and cystoid macular edema were more common in HLA-B27-negative patients with a recurrent disease course. The most common newly diagnosed systemic disease was sarcoid (n = 7), followed by ankylosing spondylitis (n = 4), tuberculosis (n = 2), and syphilis (n = 2).Conclusions: This case series emphasizes the key role of the ophthalmologist in identifying previously undiagnosed systemic diseases. It also highlights the importance of differentiating latent from active infection, particularly tuberculosis and syphilis, through directed investigations to assess the risk to the patient of reactivation with systemic treatment. This study adds further evidence to our understanding that HLA-B27-negative patients have a poor visual prognosis.

Clinical Features and Prognosis of HLA B27-associated Acute Anterior Uveitis in an Italian Patient Population

Purpose: To report clinical features and prognosis of HLA B27 acute anterior uveitis.Methods: 165 patients with recurrent acute anterior uveitis were divided into two groups: HLA B27-positive (group 1, 60 patients) and HLA B27-negative (group 2, 105 patients). A comparison between the two groups was performed.Results: Unilateral involvement was higher in group 1 (p = .046), and more simultaneous bilateral cases occurred in group 2 (p = .004). Group 1 was more correlated to systemic diseases than group 2 (50 versus 17.1%, p < .001), particularly to ankylosing spondylitis (35 versus 3.8%, p < .001). Uveitis was diagnosed before spondylitis in 57% of patients. In groups 1 and 2 an immunosuppressive therapy was administered to 20 and 9.5% of patients but was exclusively given to control uveitis in 1.6 and in 2.8% of cases, respectively.Conclusions: A strong association between HLA B27 uveitis and ankylosing spondylitis was confirmed and usually uveitis preceded rheumatological involvement.

Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Therapy and Recurrent Acute Anterior Uveitis

Objective: To investigate oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) therapy in the prevention of recurrences of uveitis in patients with recurrent nongranulomatous, idiopathic, or HLA-B27-associated acute anterior uveitis (AAU).Methods: Retrospective case series of 59 patients with recurrent AAU treated with celecoxib or diflunisal.Results: The average duration of NSAID therapy was 21.2 ± 5.7 months. The average number of relapses for all patients prior to systemic NSAID therapy was 2.84 per person-year follow-up. These relapses declined to 0.53 per person-year follow-up with NSAID therapy (p < .001). The relapse rates prior to and after treatment in the HLA-B27-positive group (n = 21) were compared with the relapse rates prior to and after treatment in the HLA-B27-negative group (n = 38) and were also statistically significant (p < .001).Conclusion: Morbid attacks and the cumulative exposure to corticosteroids can be prevented with systemic NSAID therapy in patients with recurrent AAU.

Late-onset Severe Diffuse Lamellar Keratitis Associated With Uveitis After LASIK in a Patient With Ankylosing Spondylitis

To report a case of diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK) associated with acute anterior uveitis that occurred 3 years after uneventful LASIK in a patient with a history of ankylosing spondylitis and recurrent acute anterior uveitis. A 36-year-old man presented with pain and decreased vision in the left eye. Left eye visual acuity was 20/100. He had undergone bilateral LASIK 3 years prior to presentation to treat moderate myopia. Slit-lamp examination revealed aqueous flare and cells, vertical corneal folds, and cell aggregates at the central interface. Flattening and thinning of the cornea were observed with Pentacam (Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH). Diffuse lamellar keratitis stage III was diagnosed and intensive corticosteroid and anticollagenolytic treatment was started with satisfactory results. Acute anterior uveitis may be a predisposing factor for late-onset DLK after LASIK surgery. Indication of LASIK in patients at high risk of developing recurrent flares of acute anterior uveitis, such as those with spondyloarthropathies, should be carefully considered.

Enthesis inflammation in recurrent acute anterior uveitis without spondylarthritis

To investigate whether patients with idiopathic recurrent acute anterior uveitis (AAU) have enthesis alterations comparable with those in patients with spondylarthritis (SpA). A blinded, controlled study of enthesis evident on ultrasound (US) examination was performed in 100 patients and controls classified into 5 groups, as follows: patients with confirmed SpA (group 1), patients with recurrent AAU who were positive for HLA-B27 and did not have SpA (group 2), patients with recurrent AAU who were negative for HLA-B27 and did not have SpA (group 3), patients with forms of uveitis other than those related to SpA (group 4), and healthy controls (group 5). In total, 12 enthesis locations were explored in each patient and control subject by 2 ultrasonographers who were blinded with regard to the diagnosis. A newly developed US method, the Madrid Sonography Enthesitis Index (MASEI), in which the diagnosis of SpA is determined as a cutoff score of 18 points, was used. A total of 1,200 entheses were explored by US in 100 patients and controls. The MASEI cutoff limit was met or exceeded by 81%, 55.6%, 40%, 10%, and 19% of the subjects in the 5 groups, respectively. The MASEI score was significantly higher in groups 1 and 2 than in groups 4 and 5. The differences between groups 1 and 3 were also found to be significant. Our findings indicate that a high percentage of HLA-B27-positive patients with idiopathic recurrent AAU without features of SpA have enthesis lesions comparable with those seen in patients with SpA. These data suggest that patients with recurrent AAU, especially those who are HLA-B27 positive, have an abortive or incomplete form of SpA.

Acute anterior uveitis as the initial presentation of alkaptonuria

Alkaptonuria is a rare autosomal recessive metabolic disorder that may present with multi-system involvement such as ochronotic arthropathy, renal, urethral and prostatic calculi, cardiac valvular lesions and pigmentation of the skin, sclera, cartilage and other connective tissues. An association of the disease with uveitis has never been reported. We report the first case of alkaptonuria with ochronotic arthropathy presenting with recurrent acute anterior uveitis as the initial manifestation. The possible common link with the HLA-B27 gene is discussed.

Methotrexate: an option for preventing the recurrence of acute anterior uveitis

To evaluate the efficacy of methotrexate (MTX) in preventing the recurrence of acute anterior uveitis (AAU). This prospective, open, longitudinal study included patients from June 2002 to March 2005 who had either three or more episodes of AAU in the previous year, or a recurrence of AAU within 3 months before starting the trial. We excluded uveitis of infectious origin, masquerade syndromes, and patients with contraindications to MTX. The response criteria were defined as an absence of symptoms and the presence of a normal ophthalmologic examination. The study outcome compared the number of flare-ups of uveitis over an MTX-treated for 1 year to the number of flare-ups of the same group during the previous year without MTX. A total of 571 patients with uveitis were evaluated during the period of the study, and 10 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. One patient refused the treatment, and nine completed the study. The mean number of recurrences in the pre-MTX year was 3.4 (SD: 0.52), which was significantly reduced to 0.89 (SD: 1.17) in the year of treatment (P=0.011). MTX treatment seems to reduce the number of flare-ups in patients with recurrent AAU.

The number of CD8+ T cells and NKT cells increases in the aqueous humor of patients with Behçet's uveitis

To determine whether there are differences in the immunopathogenesis of different endogenous uveitis syndromes, the phenotypic characteristics of immune cells were analysed among patients with endogenous uveitis. The aetiology of the uveitis included idiopathic recurrent acute anterior uveitis (18 patients), idiopathic intermediate uveitis (13 patients), Behçet's uveitis (17 patients), Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome (7 patients), and so on. Flow cytometric analysis was performed using immune cells of the aqueous humor and the peripheral blood during the active phase of intraocular inflammation, and monoclonal antibodies to CD3, CD4, CD8, CD14, CD19, CD56, TCR gammadelta, pan TCR alphabeta and Valpha24. CD8+ T cells were predominant in the aqueous humor of the patients with Behçet's uveitis, whereas CD4+ T cells were mainly found in the aqueous humor of patients other than those with Behçet's uveitis. The number of NKT (CD3+CD56+) cells was significantly higher both in the aqueous humor and the peripheral blood of the patients with Behçet's uveitis compared with the other groups (P < 0.05). CD8+CD56+ cells were the predominant subtype of the increased NKT cells in patients with Behçet's uveitis. In addition, intraocular infiltration of CD14+ cells significantly differed among the uveitis patients (P < 0.05). These results suggest that the immunopathogenesis of endogenous uveitis can vary between syndromes, and that CD8+CD56+ NKT cells may play an important role in the immunopathogenesis of Behçet's uveitis.