Drug-induced uveitis

Diagnostic and Management Strategies of Tubulointerstitial Nephritis and Uveitis Syndrome (TINU): Current Perspectives

Tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis (TINU) syndrome is a rare autoimmune disease with unclear pathogenesis but probably related to a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental triggers. Diagnosis is challenging due to the asynchronous onset of renal and ocular symptoms, and it is necessary to exclude other causes of nephritis and uveitis. It affects both sexes, with an overall predominance of females and a median age of onset of 15 years. TINU syndrome is characterized by bilateral, non-granulomatous anterior uveitis and tubulointerstitial nephritis, which can cause acute renal failure in severe cases. Several triggers have been identified including concurrent infections, medications, or endocrine diseases. The diagnosis of TINU is mainly based on clinical and analytical findings, and although urinary β2-microglobulin is a useful parameter no specific diagnostic test is available. Current perspectives intend to facilitate its diagnosis identifying susceptibility HLA genotypes, serologic markers and imaging tools to avoid renal biopsy. Treatment options for TINU syndrome include corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents, and intravenous immunoglobulins, but relapses are frequent, and management can be challenging. The purpose of this review is to provide an updated summary of the diagnostic and treatment strategies of TINU syndrome, helping clinicians recognize and manage this rare autoimmune disorder.

Tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome following meningitis and systemic lymphadenopathy with persistent Toxoplasma immunoglobulin M: a case report

Background

Tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome is a rare lymphocyte-related oculorenal inflammatory disease presumed to be associated with drug use and infectious agents. Toxoplasma gondii is one of such pathogens that could exhibit encephalitis, meningitis, and uveitis in immunocompromised or in some immunocompetent individuals. If the immunoglobulin M of Toxoplasma is positive on screening, the interpretation of the result is not simple, especially when immunoglobulin M stays positive persistently.

Case presentation

A 34-year-old Asian male developed fever, headache, and lymphadenopathy with tenderness, which was initially diagnosed as meningitis. Antibiotics were started, and diclofenac sodium was used for the fever. Although his symptoms were alleviated in a week by the treatment, gradual decline in renal function was noted, prompting a renal biopsy that indicated acute granulomatous interstitial nephritis. A week later, tenderness in both eyes with blurred vision appeared and revealed iritis and keratic precipitations in both eyes; hence, the diagnosis of acute tubulointerstitial nephritis and bilateral uveitis syndrome was made. Toxoplasma gondii-specific immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M titers were both positive. Although we could not rule out recent infection of Toxoplasma gondii, which may cause uveitis initially, Toxoplasma immunoglobulin G avidity test indicated a distant infection, which allowed us to rule out meningitis and uveitis as responsible for the complication of recent Toxoplasma gondii infection. Drug-induced lymphocyte stimulation test, or lymphocyte transformation test of diclofenac sodium, was solely positive among the tested drugs. Uveitis was alleviated only with ophthalmic steroid, and renal function returned to normal without administration of systemic steroid.

Conclusions

We experienced a case of diclofenac-induced tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome. In ruling out infections, Toxoplasma immunoglobulin M was persistently positive, and Toxoplasma immunoglobulin G avidity test indicated a “distant” infection. From these two results, we ruled out recent infection. However, it should be noted that “distant” infection indicated by commercial immunoglobulin G avidity is still a multiplex profile consisting of reinfection, reactivation, and latent infection. Narrowing down the infection profile of Toxoplasma is challenging in some cases. Therefore, careful diagnosis and extended follow-up of such patients are needed.

Drug-induced uveitis: A review

Uveitis maybe induced by the use of various medications known as drug-induced uveitis (DIU), though rare it is an important cause of uveitis which one needs to be aware of. The drugs may be administered through any route including systemic, topical, and intravitreal. Ocular inflammation can be in the form of anterior, intermediate, posterior or pan uveitis, and rarely may present as episcleritis and scleritis. Identification of drug as the offending agent of uveitis is important as many a times stopping the drug may help recover the uveitis or the concomitant use of corticosteroids. An extensive literature review was done using the Pubmed. An overview of DIU is provided as it is important for us to be aware of this clinical entity.

Medication-induced Uveitis: An Update

Drug-induced uveitis is an uncommon but important cause of ocular inflammation. Uveitis can be seen in association with various systemic, topical, and intraocular medications. In this article, we review common medications associated with uveitis. Most cases of drug-induced uveitis resolve with termination of the suspected medication with or without administration of topical or systemic steroids. It is important for clinicians to readily identify medications that may cause uveitis in order to provide rapid treatment, avoid consequences of longstanding inflammation, and prevent costly and excessive laboratory testing.

Bilateral uveitis associated with nivolumab therapy for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer

Purpose

To report a case of bilateral uveitis secondary to intravenous nivolumab therapy in a patient with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer.

Observations

A 53-year-old male with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer presented with gradual onset of blurry vision in the left eye for nine days after completion of the first cycle of intravenous nivolumab chemotherapy. At initial presentation, best-corrected visual acuity was 20/25 in the right eye and 20/30 in the left eye. Slit lamp biomicroscopy examination of the left eye showed temporal injection of the conjunctiva and sclera, granulomatous keratic precipitates, and vitreous cells in the posterior segment. Imaging studies, including fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, fundus autofluorescence, optical coherence tomography, iridocyanine green angiography, and B scan ultrasonography, demonstrated acute inflammation in the posterior segment of the right eye and anterior, intermediate and posterior segments of the left eye. Nivolumab was discontinued and the patient received a course of corticosteroids resulting in resolution of visual complaints. The patient subsequently developed elevated and sustained intraocular pressures and decreased visual acuity in the left eye secondary to treatment complications. The patient was then lost to follow-up.

Conclusions and Importance

To our best knowledge, this is a rare case of bilateral uveitis secondary to intravenous nivolumab use and the sixteenth reported case of nivolumab-induced uveitis. Physicians should be aware of possible ocular complications associated with the use of nivolumab and provide prompt treatment when necessary.

Tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis (TINU) syndrome: a review

Inflammation of renal interstitium and uveal tissue establishes the two components of tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis (TINU) syndrome. Although believed to occur more frequently in young females, a broad spectrum of patients can be affected. Both renal and eye disease can be asymptomatic and may not manifest simultaneously, having independent progressions. Renal disease manifests as acute kidney injury and may cause permanent renal impairment. Eye inflammation can manifest in different anatomical forms, most commonly as bilateral anterior uveitis and may progress to a chronic course. TINU syndrome accounts for approximately 1%–2% of uveitis in tertiary referral centres. A literature review covering the clinical features, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment is presented.

A Rare Cause of Uveitis: Vemurafenib

A 25-year-old female presented with a decrease of vision and redness in both eyes. She had a history of nodular melanoma in her right shoulder, which was excised surgically and she was under oral vemurafenib treatment. She was diagnosed with moderately severe bilateral panuveitis and hospitalized for systemic investigation and workup. The laboratory test results were unremarkable and systemic workup failed to reveal an etiology. The condition was considered vemurafenib-induced uveitis, as the drug is known to be associated with uveitis. After reevaluation with the oncology department, vemurafenib was stopped and topical and systemic corticosteroid therapy was started. The uveitis resolved and her vision returned to normal. No sign of recurrence was detected at 8-month follow-up.

Glycosylation-enhanced biocompatibility of the supramolecular hydrogel of an anti-inflammatory drug for topical suppression of inflammation

Intravitreal/periocular injection of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) suspension is a common uveitis treatment, but it displays a high risk for serious side effects (e.g., high intraocular pressure, retinal toxicity). We report here an intravitreally injectable thermosensitive glycosylated TA (TA-SA-Glu) hydrogel, formed by covalently conjugating glucosamine (Glu) with succinate TA (TA-SA), for treating uveitis. The TA-SA-Glu hydrogelator forms a supramolecular hydrogel spontaneously in aqueous solution with a minimal gelation concentration of 0.25 wt%. Structural analysis revealed that hydrogen bonds assisted by hydrophobic interaction resulted in self-assembled nanofibers. Rheology analysis demonstrated that this TA-SA-Glu hydrogel exhibited a typical thixotropic property. Sustained release of both TA-SA-Glu and TA from the hydrogel occurred throughout the 3-day in vitro release study. The obtained TA-SA-Glu hardly caused cytotoxicity against ARPE-19 and RAW264.7 cells after 24 h of incubation at drug concentration up to 600 μM. In particular, TA-SA-Glu exhibited a comparable anti-inflammatory efficacy to TA in terms of inhibiting the production of nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6 in activated RAW264.7 macrophages. Following a single intravitreal injection, 69 nmol TA-SA-Glu hydrogel caused minimal apparent retinal toxicity, whereas the TA suspension displayed significant effects in terms of localized retinal toxicity. A single intravitreal injection of TA-SA-Glu hydrogel was more effective in controlling inflammatory response than that of the TA suspension treatment, particularly in down-regulating the pro-inflammatory Th1 and Th17 effector responses for treating experimental autoimmune uveitis. This study strongly indicates that supramolecular TA-SA-Glu hydrogels may represent a new option for posterior uveitis management.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Intravitreal/periocular injection of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) suspension is a common uveitis treatment, but suffers a high risk for serious side effects (e.g., high intraocular pressure, retinal toxicity). We generated an injectable glycosylated triamcinolone acetonide hydrogelator (TA-SA-Glu) hydrogel for treating uveitis. Following a single intravitreal injection, the proposed TA-SA-Glu hydrogel hardly caused apparent retinal toxicity at a dosage of 69 nmol per eye. Furthermore, TA-SA-Glu hydrogel was more effective in controlling non-infectious uveitis over than a TA suspension, particularly in terms of down-regulating the pro-inflammatory Th1 and Th17 effector responses for treating experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU). This study strongly indicates that TA-SA-Glu supramolecular hydrogels may represent a new option for the management of various intraocular inflammations.

Marginal structural model to evaluate the association between cumulative osteoporosis medication and infection using claims data

Due to the suboptimal persistence to osteoporosis (OP) treatment, factors triggering treatment discontinuation/switching may be causing time-varying confounding. BP treatment was associated with the risk of overall infection in opposite directions in the unweighted Cox model versus the weighted MSM. The discrepancy of effect estimates for overall infection in the MSM suggested there may be time-varying confounding.

INTRODUCTION

Due to the suboptimal persistence to osteoporosis (OP) treatment, factors triggering treatment discontinuation/switching may be affected by prior treatment and confound the subsequent treatment effect, causing time-varying confounding.

METHODS

In a US insurance database, the association between joint treatment of bisphosphonates (BP) and other OP medication and the incidence of infections among postmenopausal women was assessed using a marginal structural model (MSM). Stabilized weights were estimated by modeling treatment and censoring processes conditioning on past treatment, and baseline and time-varying covariates.

RESULTS

BP treatment was associated with the risk of overall infection in opposite directions in the unweighted Cox model {incidence rate ratio [IRR] [95% confidence interval (CI)] = 1.15 [1.14-1.17]} versus the weighted MSM [IRR (95% CI) = 0.79 (0.77-0.81)], but was consistently associated with a lower risk of serious infection in both the unweighted Cox model [IRR (95% CI] = 0.79 (0.78-0.81)) and the weighted MSM [IRR (95% CI) = 0.71 (0.68-0.75)]. Similar results were found when current and past treatments were simultaneously assessed.

CONCLUSIONS

The discrepancy of effect estimates for overall but not serious infection comparing unweighted models and MSM suggested analyses of composite outcomes with a wide range of disease severity may be more susceptible to time-varying confounding.

Trabeculotomy ab interno with Trabectome as surgical management for systemic fluoroquinolone-induced pigmentary glaucoma: A case report

RATIONALE

Bilateral acute iris transillumination (BAIT) is a poorly-understood ocular syndrome in which patients present with acute iridocyclitis and pigmentary dispersion with or without ocular hypertension. The etiology of the disease remains unknown, though recent reports suggest an antecedent upper respiratory tract infection or systemic antibiotic administration may trigger the clinical syndrome.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 55-year-old female was referred for a second opinion regarding her bilateral ocular pain, photophobia, and ocular hypertension. Her medical history was notable for a diagnosis of pneumonia managed with oral moxifloxacin several weeks prior to her initial presentation.

DIAGNOSES

Visual acuity was 20/40 with an intraocular pressure (IOP) of 30 mmHg in the affected eye despite maximal tolerated medical therapy. The patient had severe bilateral iris transillumination defects with posterior synechiae formation and 3+ pigment with rare cell in the anterior chamber. This constellation of findings was consistent with a diagnosis of BAIT.

INTERVENTIONS

A peripheral iridotomy was placed, which mildly relieved the iris bowing, but did not affect the IOP or inflammatory reaction. The patient then underwent cataract extraction with posterior synechiolysis and ab interno trabeculotomy of the left eye with the Trabectome.

OUTCOMES

The patient's IOP on the first post-operative day was 13 mmHg, and anterior chamber inflammation was noted to be significantly reduced at post-operative week 2. The patient was recently seen at a 1-year post-operative visit and her IOP remains in the low teens on a low-dose combination topical agent.

LESSONS

Ophthalmologists should remain aware of the association between systemic fluoroquinolones and acute pigmentary dispersion that can progress to glaucoma. The Trabectome remains a viable option for management of pigmentary and uveitic glaucoma resistant to medical treatment.

Safety of Intravitreal Injection Guide

Purpose:

To evaluate the safety of our developed intravitreal injection guide.

Methods:

Retrospective review of all case notes for consecutive patients treated with intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections at the Department of Ophthalmology, Nagasaki University Hospital in Japan between January 2013 and December 2014. We included all patients who had at least 1 intravitreal anti-VEGF injection done within the study period. Data collected included demographics, indications of intravitreal anti-VEGF injections, type of injected drug, usage of intravitreal guide, experience of physicians, and any complication that occurred during or after the procedure.

Results:

The study included 256 patients (154 males and 102 females) who underwent 992 intravitreal anti-VEGF injections from January 2013 until December 2014. The mean age of the patients was 70.8 ± 11.3 years. Of total injections, 907 (91.44%) were done using the intravitreal guide, 60 (6.04%) were done without using the guide, and only 25 (2.52%) injections were not determined. Local complications include 1 (0.1%) case uveitis, 1 (0.1%) case retinal tear, and 1 (0.1%) case amaurosis fugax. There were no major complications as cataract, retinal detachment, and endophthamitis. No systemic complication was encountered. All complications occurred in the guide group without statistically significant difference in comparison to without guide group ( P = 1.0). All complications were related to experienced group without significant difference in comparison to limited experienced group ( P = .28).

Conclusion:

We conclude that the process of intravitreal injection with our developed intravitreal injection guide is safe and easy even for limited experienced physicians.

Tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis (TINU) syndrome: a systematic review of its epidemiology, demographics and risk factors

Tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis (TINU) syndrome is a rare oculorenal inflammatory condition that was first described in 1975. In 2001 a major review identified 133 cases in the world literature and proposed key diagnostic criteria for the condition. Although acknowledged as rare, the limited data available prevented reliable estimates of the prevalence of the condition, and hampered elucidation of the relationship between genetic and environmental factors that contribute to its pathogenesis.In this review we have performed a systematic search on the epidemiology, demographics and proposed risk factors for TINU. Estimates of prevalence based on studies that explicitly report TINU cases suggest that it is diagnosed in 0.2-2% of patients attending specialist uveitis services, with variation reflecting a number of factors including level of diagnostic certainty required. The prevalence of uveitis in patients with tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN) may be higher than currently recognised, particularly in the paediatric population.The prevalence of TINU is higher in younger age groups and there is a female preponderance although this gender effect appears weaker than suggested by early studies. Although important genetic contributions have been proposed, the small size of studies and variation between reports currently preclude identification of a 'pro-TINU' haplotype. Drugs and infections have been proposed as the leading acquired risk factors for the development of TINU; whilst the small size of TINU cohorts and issues of study design limit interpretation of many studies. Larger datasets from the renal literature suggest that the majority of these cases are precipitated by a drug-induced hypersensitivity reaction; however in many ophthalmic cases no clear precipitant is identified.

Drug-induced tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome with posterior uveitis resembling acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy

PURPOSE

To report the occurrence of acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy (APMPPE)-like posterior uveitis as part of the ocular manifestation of tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis (TINU) syndrome.

METHODS

A 54-year-old previously healthy woman received oral ibuprofen and dipirone because of high fever and malaise. Three days after being started on this treatment, she developed bilateral posterior uveitis resembling APMPPE accompanied by anterior segment inflammation in the context of acute renal nephritis and maculopapular skin rash probably related to drug exposure.

RESULTS

The patient was hospitalized because of acute renal failure and received support therapy and topical steroids in both eyes. A renal biopsy was not performed (based on good clinical response), but she fulfilled the clinical criteria of acute interstitial nephritis and TINU. Although her renal and ocular functions improved in the first week, she needed to be readmitted days later because of fever and generalized edema and received steroid pulse therapy. Fluorescein angiography was consistent with an APMPPE-like pattern and optical coherence tomography showed neither macular edema nor subretinal fluid. The ocular picture improved during the following weeks with fundus changes resembling those of APMPPE.

CONCLUSION

Although anterior uveitis is considered the typical ocular component of TINU syndrome, posterior uveitis resembling APMPPE may also be its ocular manifestation.

Drug-induced uveitis

INTRODUCTION

Drug-induced uveitis is a well described but often overlooked and/or misdiagnosed adverse reaction to medication. There are an increasing number of medications that have been related to the onset of intraocular inflammation. Identification of these inciting agents may decisively help the diagnostic algorithm involving new cases of uveitis.

AREAS COVERED

This review intends to be an updated comprehensive, practical guide for practitioners regarding the main drugs that have been associated with uveitis. A classification proposed by Naranjo et al. in 1981 for establishing potential causality is applied examining possible mechanisms of action. A guide for clinicians about the rationale of these observations when dealing with patients with uveitis is provided.

EXPERT OPINION

Several agents with different routes of administration (systemic, topical and/or intraocular) may cause intraocular inflammation. The mechanism behind ocular inflammation is frequently unknown. Clinicians should be aware of the potential drug effect to optimize diagnosis and management of such patients.

Bilateral panuveitis in a patient on vemurafenib BRAF inhibitor therapy for stage IV melanoma

PURPOSE

To describe a case of recurrent, bilateral panuveitis caused by the BRAF proto-oncogene inhibitor vemurafenib.

METHODS

Case report.

RESULTS

A 25-year-old woman developed bilateral panuveitis and macular edema after initiating treatment with the BRAF enzyme inhibitor vemurafenib for stage IV cutaneous melanoma. The patient was successfully treated with sub-Tenon triamcinolone injections along with cessation of the medication.

CONCLUSIONS

Panuveitis is a potential adverse effect of vemurafenib. Good communication with oncology is necessary, in case the medication needs to be discontinued.

The pediatric red eye

There is a broad differential for the pediatric red eye, which may range from benign conditions to vision- and/or life-threatening conditions. This article presents a systematic differential, red flags for referral, and treatment options.

Drug-induced uveitis

A number of medications have been associated with uveitis. This review highlights both well-established and recently reported systemic, topical, intraocular, and vaccine-associated causes of drug-induced uveitis, and assigns a quantitative score to each medication based upon criteria originally described by Naranjo and associates.

Acute anterior uveitis following intravitreal bevacizumab but not subsequent ranibizumab

Purpose

Previous reports have identified noninfectious uveitis as a potential sequela following both intravitreal bevacizumab and ranibizumab injections. We present two unique cases of acute anterior uveitis following intravitreal bevacizumab that did not occur with subsequent ranibizumab injections.

Methods

Case report.

Conclusion

These cases may reflect differences in the etiology of anterior uveitis following intravitreal bevacizumab and ranibizumab. Given these differences, it may be reasonable to offer ranibizumab to patients who have experienced presumed bevacizumab-induced anterior uveitis.

Pharmacotherapy of intraocular pressure: part I. Parasympathomimetic, sympathomimetic and sympatholytics

Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) has been recognized as the major risk factor for the development of glaucoma and a wide range of options are now available to reduce it: medical treatment, laser, filtering, or cyclodestructive surgery (alone or in combination). All these modalities act by decreasing eye pressure and, thereby, protecting the optic nerve head from a mechanic direct and/or vascular indirect insult. Topical medical therapy represents the first-choice treatment and, in most cases, it effectively controls IOP, avoiding the occurrence of further optic nerve damage. All medications lower IOP in two main ways: decreasing the production of aqueous humour or by increasing its outflow from the eye. Consequently, antiglaucoma drugs either suppress aqueous humour formation (beta-adrenergic antagonists, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, and alpha-2-adrenergic agonists) or raise aqueous humour outflow throughout the conventional (e.g., pilocarpine) or uveoscleral (prostaglandin FP receptor agonists, and prostamides) route. In addition, fixed and unfixed combinations of antiglaucoma compounds have also been available for patients requiring more than one type of medication. This review, which is part one of two (please see Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy 10 (17)) briefly considers the characteristics of sympathomimetic, sympatholytics and parasympathomimetic commonly employed in the medical treatment of glaucoma, mainly the primary open-angle form, focusing the discussion on the clinical evidence supporting the use of these three classes of compound.

Recurrent Nodular Scleritis Preceding an Adult TINU Syndrome

PURPOSE

To describe the occurrence of nodular scleritis in a patient developing tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis (TINU) syndrome.

DESIGN

Observational case report.

METHOD

The case notes of a 57-year-old female presenting with recurrent nodular scleritis, who later developed interstitial nephritis with bilateral uveitis, were reviewed.

RESULTS

Common and established causes of scleritis were not present in an adult who developed the TINU syndrome a decade later.

CONCLUSIONS

Although scleritis has not been reported as a tubulointerstitial nephritis-associated ocular inflammation, it may be part of the possible spectrum of ocular inflammation occurring as part of the TINU syndrome.

Rifabutin-Associated Panuveitis with Retinal Vasculitis in Pulmonary Tuberculosis

INTRODUCTION

Rifabutin-associated uveitis has been reported frequently in AIDS patients and more rarely in immunocompetent patients. It is characterized clinically by anterior acute uveitis. Only a few poorly documented cases of rifabutin-induced panuveitis with retinal vasculitis have been reported. Here, we report four cases of rifabutin-associated panuveitis with retinal vasculitis.

CASE REPORTS

We describe four patients with active tuberculosis, treated with a multidrug regimen including rifabutin for at least 1.5 months before presentation. The first patient was immunocompetent, the three others had AIDS and were undergoing triple anti-HIV therapy. Three patients were women with a low body weight. All four patients presented with panuveitis and retinal vasculitis. Interruption of the drug rapidly reduced the ocular inflammation in all cases.

CONCLUSION

Four cases of rifabutin-associated panuveitis with retinal vasculitis are reported in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis. Immunogenicity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis as well as the very low weight of the patients might be implicated in the development of this unusual form of rifabutin-associated uveitis.

Unilateral granulomatous post-streptococcal uveitis with elevated tension

PURPOSE

We document a presumptive case of unilateral post-streptococcal uveitis. The affected eye manifested a granulomatous anterior uveitis with elevated intra-ocular pressure (IOP) compared with the contra-lateral eye. This presentation was preceded by a recent streptococcal pharyngitis.

CASE REPORT

An asymptomatic, otherwise healthy 13-year-old black female presented with anterior chamber cells, mutton fat resembling keratic precipitates, and elevated IOP in the left eye relative to the right eye. The patient had been diagnosed with streptococcal pharyngitis approximately 1 week before her eye examination. A blood chemistry analysis, rheumatoid profile panel and antistreptolysin antibody titer were requested. The patient was prescribed predinisolone acetate 1% ophthalmic suspension in the left eye.

RESULTS

Anti-streptolysin antibody titers were significantly elevated (291 IU/ml). The patient responded favorably to topical ophthalmic steroid treatment with a reduction of IOP and inflammation.

CONCLUSIONS

Unilateral, granulomatous anterior uveitis may be a variant manifestation of post-streptococcal uveitis. The IOP elevation in these cases may result secondary to concurrent trabeculitis.

Postmarketing surveillance rates of uveitis and scleritis with bisphosphonates among a national veteran cohort

PURPOSE

Uveitis and scleritis are the most serious ocular side effects of bisphosphonate therapy. The purpose of this study was to determine the 6-month rates of uveitis/scleritis following dispensing of bisphosphonates in a large veteran cohort.

METHODS

Two national databases (clinical and pharmacy) for fiscal year (FY) 2006 were linked to identify new diagnoses of uveitis/scleritis following the initial dispensing of bisphosphonate drugs. New diagnoses in FY 2006 were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Version 9, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM), in a cohort of veterans without a previous diagnosis of uveitis or scleritis using a look-back period to FY 2005. The new diagnoses were temporally aligned with initial dispensing of bisphosphonates and the rates of new cases were calculated for 1-month and 6-month time intervals.

RESULTS

There were 7.9 new cases of uveitis/scleritis per 10,000 individuals with a newly dispensed bisphosphonate that occurred within 180 days. The relative risk of uveitis/scleritis for 6 months was 1.23 (95% confidence interval: 0.85-1.79) compared to veterans not exposed to the medications. The rates of uveitis/scleritis did not differ significantly based on route of administration (oral or parenteral) or after age adjustment. Just over a third of the diagnoses were scleritis. Nearly 43% of patients with uveitis/scleritis after bisphosphonate use had a systemic diagnosis commonly associated with inflammation of the uveal tract or sclera.

CONCLUSIONS

The 30-day and 6-month rates of uveitis/scleritis following the dispensing of a bisphosphonate drug are low and do not differ significantly from rates recorded for veterans not dispensed these drugs.

Advances in the diagnosis and immunotherapy for ocular inflammatory disease

Significant advances in the diagnosis and therapy for uveitis have been made to improve the quality of care for patients with ocular inflammatory diseases. While traditional ophthalmic examination techniques, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography continue to play a major role in the evaluation of patients with uveitis, the advent of spectral domain optical coherence tomography and fundus autofluorescence into clinical practice provides additional information about disease processes. Polymerase chain reaction and cytokine diagnostics have also continued to play a greater role in the evaluation of patients with inflammatory diseases. The biologic agents, a group of medications that targets cytokines and other soluble mediators of inflammation, have demonstrated promise in targeted immunotherapy for specific uveitic entities. Their ophthalmic indications have continued to expand, improving the therapeutic armentarium of uveitis specialists.

Anterior Segment and External Ocular Disorders Associated with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Disease

The eye is a common site for complications of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Although cytomegalovirus retinitis remains the most prevalent of the blinding ocular disorders that can occur in individuals with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), several important HIV-associated disorders may involve the anterior segment, ocular surface, and adnexae. Some of these entities, such as Kaposi sarcoma, were well described, but uncommon, before the HIV epidemic. Others, like microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis, have presentations that differ between affected individuals with HIV disease and those from the general population who are immunocompetent. The treatment of many of these diseases is challenging because of host immunodeficiency. Survival after the diagnosis of AIDS has increased among individuals with HIV disease because of more effective antiretroviral therapies and improved prophylaxis against, and treatment of, opportunistic infections. This longer survival may lead to an increased prevalence of anterior segment and external ocular disorders. In addition, the evaluation and management of disorders such as blepharitis and dry eye, which were previously overshadowed by more severe, blinding disorders, may demand increased attention, as the general health of this population improves. Not all individuals infected with HIV receive potent antiretroviral therapy, however, because of socioeconomic or other factors, and others will be intolerant of these drugs or experience drug failure. Ophthalmologists must, therefore, still be aware of the ocular findings that develop in the setting of severe immunosuppression. This article reviews the spectrum of HIV-associated anterior segment and external ocular disorders, with recommendations for their evaluation and management.

Evaluation of the pharmacokinetics of posaconazole and rifabutin following co-administration to healthy men

OBJECTIVE

Posaconazole is a triazole antifungal agent for the treatment and prophylaxis of invasive fungal infections. This non-randomized, open-label, parallel-group, multiple-dose, drug-interaction study was conducted to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of posaconazole and rifabutin following co-administration to healthy subjects.

METHODS

Subjects were assigned to treatment groups: Group 1 (posaconazole, 200-mg tablet once daily for 10 days) or Group 2 (rifabutin, 300-mg capsule once daily for 17 days [Days -7 to 10] co-administered with posaconazole, 200 mg tablet once daily for 10 days [Days 1-10]). Posaconazole was administered after rifabutin steady-state was reached. Individual plasma concentration-time data for posaconazole (Day 10, Groups 1 and 2) and rifabutin (Days -1 and 10, Group 2) were analyzed using model-independent methods.

RESULTS

Twenty-four men were enrolled in the study. All subjects in Group 1 completed the study; however, four subjects in Group 2 discontinued because of adverse events. When co-administered with rifabutin, posaconazole maximum plasma concentration (C(max)) and area under the plasma concentration-time curve over the dosing interval (AUC([tau])) were reduced 43% (p = 0.005) and 49% (p = 0.008), respectively. Conversely, rifabutin C(max) and AUC([tau]) increased 31% (p = 0.016) and 72% (p < 0.001), respectively, when co-administered with posaconazole.

CONCLUSION

Based on the reduced exposure to posaconazole observed in the limited number of subjects in this study and the increased risk for adverse events associated with elevated rifabutin concentrations, concomitant use of rifabutin and posaconazole should be avoided unless the benefit outweighs the risk.

Lymphoid Interstitial Lung Disease in a Patient With Acute Tubulointerstitial Nephritis and Uveitis: A New Facet of a Rare Syndrome?

We report for the first time the appearance of lymphoid interstitial lung disease in a patient with tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis (TINU) syndrome. A 41-year-old woman with a 9-month history of recurrent bilateral iridocyclitis was referred to our division for examination of renal dysfunction. Renal biopsy showed extensive interstitial CD3+ lymphocytic infiltration; glomerular structures were unaffected. After oral corticosteroid therapy, renal function remained stable during the next few years. Uveitis was controlled by using topical steroids. Five years after first presentation, the patient developed symptoms suggestive of interstitial lung disease, combined with a relapse of uveitis. Lung biopsy showed lymphofollicular bronchiolitis (CD3+) associated with florid alveolitis. There was no evidence for acute infection or systemic disease to be the cause of this pathological state. Lung disease proved to be steroid responsive. A new pulmonary flare-up 3 years later responded to renewed treatment. Accounting for the histological findings, we assume both TINU syndrome and interstitial lung disease to be manifestations of a common autoimmune disorder.

Bisphosphonate-associated Scleritis: A Case Report and Review

An 86-year-old female was treated for osteoporosis with alendronate, an aminobisphosphonate. Six weeks after alendronate therapy began, scleritis developed in the patient's right eye. The alendronate was discontinued, and, with the administration of prednisone, the symptoms of scleritis fully resolved. Rechallenge resulted in recurrence of the symptoms. Bisphosphonates are commonly used in the management of osteoporosis and are generally safe agents. Rarely, they have been linked with ocular inflammation. This case report reviews the literature on the ocular effects of bisphosphonates and discusses a possible mechanism for the association.

Human melanocyte biology, toxicology, and pathology

The human melanocytes of the skin, hair, eyes, inner ears, and covering of the brain provide physiologic functions important in organ development and maintenance. Melanocytes develop from embryonic neural crest progenitors and share certain traits with other neural crest derivatives found in the adrenal medulla and peripheral nervous system. The distinctive metabolic feature of melanocytes is the synthesis of melanin pigments from tyrosine and cysteine precursors involving over 100 gene products. These complex biochemical mechanisms create inherent liabilities for melanocytic cells if intracellular systems necessary for compartmentalization, detoxification, or repair are compromised. Melanocyte disorders may involve pigmentation, sensory functions, autoimmunity, or malignancy. Environmental factors such as ultraviolet radiation and chemical exposures, combined with heritable traits, represent the principal hazards associated with melanocyte disorders.

Poliosis associated with treatment of fungal endophthalmitis

PURPOSE

To report a case of poliosis arising from treatment with topical medications.

DESIGN

Interventional case report.

METHODS

A 37-year-old man was treated for fungal endophthalmitis arising from Aspergillus fumigatus keratitis with penetrating keratoplasty, lensectomy and vitrectomy together with systemic and prolonged topical medications.

RESULTS

Recovery was complicated by retinal detachment, elevated intraocular pressure and bullous keratopathy. Unilateral poliosis developed eight months following keratoplasty and has persisted over 2(1)/(2) years.

CONCLUSIONS

Topical medications are implicated in causing the poliosis.

Unilateral uveitis induced by a nonionic iodinated contrast agent

PURPOSE

To report recurrent unilateral uveitis after computed tomography (CT) enhanced by the contrast agent iopamidol.

DESIGN

Observational case report.

METHODS

A 44-year-old man with a history of mixed-cellularity Hodgkin lymphoma, Stage I B (axillar, infraclavicular, subpectoral lymphomas) was under remission after chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The contrast-enhanced CT scans performed every 3 months were within hours followed by a marked unilateral anterior uveitis, vitritis, and retinal bleedings. Symptoms resolved with topical corticosteroid treatment within a week.

RESULTS

We observed recurrent unilateral uveitis after intravenously application of 150 ml of iopamidol for contrast-enhanced CT scans in a patient with lymphoma in remission.

CONCLUSIONS

Iopamidol may induce uveitis under certain circumstances. We suggest a coincidence of immunologic mechanisms with predisposing discrete vascular radiation damage.