IMMUNOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THE PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC UVEITIS CAUSED BY HERPES AND CYTOMEGALOVIRUS

Abstract

Abstract. The study included patients with chronic uveitis caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV), or mixed HSV/ cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections. Deficiencies in CD3+ and CD4+ T lymphocytes and significant increase of CD8+ lymphocyte subpopulations were found in posterior uveitis. A single-pathogen (HSV) infection was characterized by decreased expression of CD3+ and CD4+ lymphocytes, IgG hypoglobulinaemia. Irrespectively of etiology, both groups of the patients exhibited sharp increase in CD16+ cells, as well as suppressed CD25+ receptors for IL-2, increased numbers of activated CD38+ lymphocytes, enhanced expression of late activation markers (CD95+ and HLA-DR+) in both mixed and single-pathogen uveitis. IFN-alpha is detected at low concentrations, or is absent; increased TNF-alpha production was noted in the tears in cases of posterior uveitis.Statistically significant interrelations have been found between expression of HLA-DR+, and CD3+; CD95+ and HLA-DR+; CD95+ lymphocytes and TNFalpha levels in the course of chronic persistence of Herpesviridae in the patients with chronic uveitis. The degree of immunological disturbances correlated with severity of clinical features.

Keywords

• uveitis
• cytomegalovirus
• herpes simplex virus
• cytokines
• lymphocytes activation markers