Polymerase Chain Reaction and Goldmann-Witmer Coefficient to Examine the Role of Epstein-Barr Virus in Uveitis. (2nd January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Smit, Derrick; Meyer, David; Maritz, Jean; de Groot-Mijnes, Jolanda D.F.
• Is Part Of: Ocular immunology and inflammation. Volume 27:Number 1(2019)
• Page Start: 108
• Page End: 113
• Publication Date: 2019-01-02
• Subjects: Epstein-Barr virus -- Goldmann-Witmer coefficient -- PCR -- Polymerase chain reaction -- Uveitis; Eye -- Diseases -- Immunological aspects -- Periodicals; Eye -- Inflammation -- Periodicals; 617.7
• DOI: 10.1080/09273948.2017.1370653
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0927-3948

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Purpose : To use polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Goldmann-Witmer Coefficient (GWC) calculation to search for evidence that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) causes uveitis. Methods : A prospective cross-sectional study where participants with positive multiplex EBV PCR results were further investigated by: 1) real-time PCR for EBV viral loads (VL) and 2) EBV GWC. Results : Eleven of 106 consecutive uveitis patients (10.4%) had positive multiplex PCR for EBV on aqueous humor sampling and 7/11 (63.6%) were HIV-positive. Only 4/10 (40%) cases had detectable intraocular EBV VLs which were always lower than the blood or plasma VL. EBV GWC was negative in all 10 cases tested. In 9/11 (81.8%) of these cases an alternative, more plausible cause of uveitis was identified. Conclusion : We found no evidence of active intraocular replication or antibody production to prove that EBV caused uveitis in these cases. In most cases an alternative treatable cause of uveitis was identified.