The association of HLA-DR15 and intermediate uveitis

W. M. Tang, J. S. Pulido, D. D. Eckels, D. P. Han, W. F. Mieler, K. Pierce

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

74 Scopus citations

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the association between human leukocyte antigen (HLA-DR15) specificity and intermediate uveitis. METHODS: Eighteen patients diagnosed with intermediate uveitis underwent HLA-DR15 serotyping. Additionally, DNA-based phenotyping for a specific HLA-DR15 allele was performed in four patients. The clinical features of HLA-DR 15-positive intermediate uveitis were compared with those of HLA-DR15-negative intermediate uveitis. RESULTS: Thirteen of 18 patients (72%) were positive for HLA-DR15. The frequency of the HLA-DR15 specificity in intermediate uveitis patients was significantly higher than in the control subjects (relative risk, 6.36; P < .001). Each of four patients tested carried the specific allele, DRβ1 1501, which has been associated with multiple sclerosis. In the HLA-DR15-positive group were four patients (31%) with coexisting multiple sclerosis or optic neuritis, one patient with coexisting narcolepsy, and three patients (23%) with a family history of multiple sclerosis. Retinal periphlebitis, especially if bilateral, was a frequent ophthalmoscopic finding in HLA-DR15-positive intermediate uveitis. CONCLUSIONS: This study identifies a significant association between intermediate uveitis and the HLA-DR15 specificity. Patients who are HLA- DR15-positive and have intermediate uveitis may have systemic findings of another HLA-DR15-related disorder. Intermediate uveitis may belong to a constellation of HLA-DR15-related disorders, which includes multiple sclerosis, optic neuritis, and narcolepsy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)70-75
Number of pages6
JournalAmerican journal of ophthalmology
Volume123
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1997

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ophthalmology

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