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Br J Ophthalmol 1998;82:871-874 doi:10.1136/bjo.82.8.871
  • Original Article
    • Clinical science

Elevated serum IL-8 levels are associated with disease activity in idiopathic intermediate uveitis

  1. Anne-Marie Kloka,b,
  2. Leny Luyendijka,
  3. Michel J W Zaalb,
  4. Aniki Rothovac,
  5. C Erik Hacke,
  6. Aize Kijlstraa,d
  1. aDepartment of Ophthalmo-Immunology, Netherlands Ophthalmic Research Institute, Amsterdam, bDepartment of Ophthalmology, Free University, Amsterdam, cDepartment of Ophthalmology University of Utrecht, Utrecht, dDepartment of Ophthalmology, University of Amsterdam, eCentral Laboratory of the Netherlands Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, Amsterdam and Laboratory for Experimental and Clinical Immunology, University of Amsterdam
  1. Anne-Marie Klok, MD, Department of Ophthalmo-Immunology, Netherlands Ophthalmic Research Institute, Amsterdam, PO Box 12141, 1100 AC Amsterdam, Netherlands.
  • Accepted 26 February 1998

Abstract

AIM To find a laboratory indicator for systemic involvement in intermediate uveitis.

METHODS Interleukin 8 (IL-8) and C reactive protein (CRP) serum levels were measured in patients with idiopathic intermediate uveitis (n=61), uveitis controls (n=143), and normal controls (n=29). The records of those with intermediate uveitis were reviewed with the emphasis on disease activity and severity as characterised by the presence of cystoid macular oedema, vitreous exudates or snowbank formation, papillitis, and periphlebitis.

RESULTS Increased serum IL-8 (≥20 pg/ml) was found in 27 out of 61 patients with intermediate uveitis (p< 0.01), 12 of 27 patients with sarcoid uveitis (p<0.05), in 19 of 30 patients with HLA-B27 associated acute anterior uveitis (p<0.05), and in five of 29 healthy controls. Raised IL-8 levels in intermediate uveitis were significantly associated with active disease (p<0.001) and the presence of vitreous exudates (p<0.001), papillitis, and periphlebitis (p<0.01). Elevated CRP levels were found in 12 of the 143 uveitis controls but in none of the intermediate uveitis patients or normal controls. During follow up an associated systemic disease was more frequently noticed in patients with an elevated serum IL-8 at entry into the study.

CONCLUSIONS Elevated IL-8 serum levels were found in patients with active intermediate uveitis of unknown origin. An elevated IL-8 level seems to predispose the patient to a later development of associated systemic disease.

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