Skip to main content
Download PDF

Monoclonal immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement in Fuchs’ uveitis

BMC Ophthalmology volume 18, Article number: 74 (2018) Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Fuchs’ uveitis (FU) is occasionarlly complicated with heavy vitreous opacity. We have performed vitrectomy procedures to remove vitreous opacity in affected patients as part of differential diagnosis for primary vitreoretinal lymphoma (PVRL).

Case presentation

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of five patients who first visited the Uveitis Clinic of the University of Tokyo Hospital between 2009 and 2013, were diagnosed with FU and underwent a vitrectomy for removal of dense vitreous opacity. All were diagnosed as FU by ocular findings and elevation of Goldmann-Witmer coefficient (GWC) value for the rubella virus (RV) antibody. In examinations of the vitreous body, cytological diagnosis, elevation of IL-10/IL-6 ratio, and the kappa/lambda ratio in flow cytometry findings were negative in all cases, whereas monoclonal immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene rearrangement was positive in 4 cases and negative in 1 case.

Conclusions

Although monoclonal IgH gene rearrangement is thought to be a reliable biomarker for PVRL, a high percentage of vitreous specimens from our FU patients showed pseudo-positive results. Ophthalmologists must take care regarding possible pseudo-positive findings when performing differential diagnosis between FU and PVRL. Combinations of results of cytological diagnosis, IL-10/IL-6 ratio, kappa/lambda ratio, and IgH gene rearrangement may be necessary for a definitive diagnosis of PVRL and differentiation from FU.

Peer Review reports

Background

Fuchs’ uveitis (FU) was first reported by Fuchs in 1906 and affected patients are characterized by iris heterochromia, mild iridocyclitis, iris atrophy, and keratitic precipitates [1]. Since the etiology remains unknown, FU is usually determined based on clinical manifestations, because the etiology of FU is still unknown. Many authors used the classical triad of signs of FU, first described by Kimura [2]. However, a diagnosis of FU is sometimes difficult because the various related clinical signs are not always simultaneously present. To specify an international standard for diagnosis, La Hey proposed diagnostic criteria for FU consisting of four essential and seven associated findings [3]. The essential findings of FU are absence of acute symptoms, characteristic keratic precipitates and/or minimal cells and flare in the aqueous, diffuse iris stromal atrophy, and absence of synechiae. Associated findings are unilaterality of uveitis, heterochromia, iris posterior pigment epithelium atorophy, subcapsular cataract, elevated intraocular pressure, vitreous opacity, and chorioretinal lesions. For definitive diagnosis, all essential findings and at least 2 of 7 associated findings must be present.

Recently, several reports have demonstrated a relationship of FU with rubella virus (RV) infection. Intraocular synthesis of the RV antibody was detected in aqueous humor samples from 95 to 100% of FU patients [4,5,6], while RV-RNA was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in those samples from 10 to 22% of the patients with FU [4,5,6]. Those results suggested that RV is an antigenic stimulus for an oligoclonal B-cell response in most eyes of FU patients, indicating that an examination for the presence of the RV antibody in aqueous humor is useful for diagnosis [5].

On the other hand, vitreous opacity is a characteristic finding of FU. Previous studies have reported detection of vitreous opacity in most (84–97%) examined patients with FU [3, 7], with dense vitreous opacity seen in 15% of those in the report [7]. In another, it was noted that a vitrectomy for removal of dense vitreous opacity was necessary in 8% of patients with FU [8]. Since vitreous opacity is one of the common characteristic features of primary vitreoretinal lymphoma (PVRL), FU is one of the disease recommended be made differential diagnosis [9]. Although detection of malignant cells in cytology findings is the gold standard for diagnosis of PVRL, the false-negative rate has been reported to range from 30 to 45% [10, 11]. Therefore, examinations of vitreous humor samples, such as immunohistochemistry of slide-mounted cells [12], IL-10/IL-6 ratio (> 1) [10, 13], kappa/lambda ratio (> 3 or < 0.6) shown by flow cytometry [12], and immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene rearrangement, are recommended for facilitating an accurate diagnosis [13]. However, even though ocular findings of FU can be similar to those of PVRL, no reports regarding examinations of vitreous samples from FU patients have been presented.

In the present study, we retrospectively investigated findings of vitreous samples obtained from 5 FU patients, each of whom was definitely diagnosed based on results showing intraocular synthesis of the RV antibody. To clarify factors for differential diagnosis between FU and PVRL, we noted the results of cytology, immunohistochemistry on slide-mounted cells, IL-10/IL-6 ratio, kappa/lambda ratio by flow cytometry, and IgH gene rearrangement in these cases.

Case presentation

We obtained the clinical records of five patients (5 eyes; 4 males, 1 female) who first visited the Uveitis Clinic of the University of Tokyo Hospital between 2009 and 2013 and were diagnosed with FU based on ocular manifestations [3]. Each underwent a vitrectomy procedure for removal of dense vitreous opacity. The mean follow-up period was 20.4 ± 19.2 months (range 3.8-51.5 months). Whereas three patients had rubella infection history, two patients didn’t have rubella infection history clearly. All five patients and their mothers didn’t receive rubella vaccination, because the vaccination of rubella had only performed between 1988 and 1993 and it had stopped because of vaccination induced encephalitis.

The surgical procedure we adopted was core vitrectomy by 20 Gauge or 23 Gauge. Peripheral vitrectomy was not completely performed. Vitreous specimens from the present patients were examined for determination of RV antibody titer and total IgG in vitreous humor and serum to determine the Goldmann-Witmer coefficient (GWC) [14] value for the RV antibody, IL-6 and IL-10 concentrations, cytological diagnosis based on Papanicolou staining and immunohistochemistry results, kappa/lambda ratio based on flow cytometry results, and IgH gene rearrangement.

As for cytology, undiluted vitreous samples were immediately fixed by 10% formalin and prepared for cytology with Papanicolou staining. As for rubella antibody titer, total IgG and the concentrations of IL-10 and IL-6, undiluted vitreous specimens were centrifuged and the concentrations of rubella antibody titer, total IgG, IL-10 and IL-6 in the supernatants were measured by ELISA (SRL, Inc. Tokyo, Japan). As for the IgH gene rearrangement, 10 ml of diluted vitreous samples were centrifuged and the pellet were obtained. DNA was extracted from the pellets and used for the analysis of IgH gene rearrangements (LSI Medience Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) [15]. As for flow cytometry, vitreous bodies were digested in a 1 mg/ml solution of collagenase type II in standard culture medium with shaking at 37 °C for 1 h. After the extracted cells in the vitreous body were washed once with sterile PBS, the cells were analyzed with a staining of fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugated anti-IgG kappa light chain and phycoerythrin conjugated anti-IgG lambda light chain using a FACS Aria Flow Cytometer (BD Biosciences, Heidelberg, Germany). As for the diagnosis of PVRL, the positive rates of cytology in the vitreous samples (class 4 or more) had been reported to be quite low (44.5%) [10]. Therefore, combination of cytology and supplemental cytokine analysis and molecular analysis should be recommended to facilitate the diagnosis of intraocular lymphoma [9, 10, 13]. In our hospital, vitreous samples were examined for cytology, IL-10/IL-6 ratio, FACS (kappa/lambda), and IgH gene rearrangement. PVRL was determined by positive cytology findings of a vitreous sample (class 4 or more) or positive results for more than 2 of the following 4 items: class 3 cytology, IL-10/IL-6 concentration ratio > 1, positive IgH rearrangement, and light chain restriction shown by flow cytometry (kappa/lambda ratio > 3 or < 0.5) [16].

A summary of ocular findings in the present 5 FU cases are shown in Table 1. All fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of FU presented by La Hey [3]. One patient (case 3) underwent a vitrectomy procedure in combination with cataract surgery and four patients underwent vitrectomy procedure for vitreous opacity (Table 2). As for best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), a post-operative increase of BCVA (2 grades or more) was observed in 1 (case 4), while that was decreased (2 grades or more) in 1 (case 3). In case 3, BCVA was decreased from 0.8 before the operation to 0.5 after, likely due to post-operative macula atrophy. In all cases, floaters were removed by the vitrectomy procedure.

Table 1 Summary of ocular findings in five patients with Fuchs’ uveitis
Full size table
Table 2 Summary of outcomes of vitrectomy for vitreous opacity in Fuchs’ uveitis patients
Full size table

Results of examinations of the vitreous specimens are shown in Table 3. The RV antibody was detected in both serum and vitreous specimens in all cases. Moreover, the GWC value for RV was calculated to be greater than 5 in all cases, providing definitive evidence that these cases were FU [5, 6]. On the other hand, the IL-10/IL-6 ratio was less than 1 and cytological diagnosis was class 2 or lower in all 5 cases. As for flow cytometry, the T-cell (CD3)/B-cell (CD19) ratio was greater than 1 in 3 cases and undetermined due to insufficient samples in the other 2. Our result of more T cells than B cells in vitreous body of FU is in agreement with previous report [17, 18]. The kappa/lambda ratio was within normal limits (≥0.6 and ≤3) in 4 cases and could not be determined due to an insufficient sample in 1. These results of all cases were not in agreement with PVRL (Table 3). As for IgH gene rearrangement, 4 of 5 cases were positive and only 1 case was negative, indicating that IgH gene rearrangement findings can lead to pseudo-positive findings in examinations of vitreous samples to differentiate FU from PVRL.

Table 3 Summary of examinations of vitreous specimens from patients with Fuchs’ uveitis
Full size table

Discussion and conclusions

Recently, many reports had suggested that the GWC for the rubella virus were specifically elevated in patients with FU [4,5,6]. However, we usually diagnose FU by clinical symptoms even now in clinical practice. Thus, at the current moment, the GWC for rubella virus is used as an adjunct to the diagnosis of FU.

Scott [19] and Waters [20] investigated FU patients who underwent a vitrectomy for removal of dense vitreous opacity and reported that at least a 2 grade increase in BCVA was obtained in about 70% of those patients, while floaters were removed in nearly all of their cases. In the present study, an increase in post-operative BCVA of 2 grades or more was observed in only a single patient, which might have been due to the excellent pre-operative BCVA findings in our case series.

In examinations of vitreous samples for differential diagnosis between FU and PVRL, cytological diagnosis, IL-10/IL-6 ratio, and kappa/lambda ratio shown by flow cytometry were all negative in our five patients. The predominance of T-cells over B-cells in vitreous samples from FU patients has been reported [17], and was also seen in the present cases. Unexpectedly, IgH gene rearrangement was positive in 4 of 5 cases of our FU patients, each of whom were definitively diagnosed based on confirmation of a GWC value for the RV antibody of greater than 5. IgH gene rearrangement has been reported to be a reliable biomarker for PVRL [13]. However, this result clearly demonstrated that IgH gene rearrangement can be a pseudo-positive finding in vitreous samples from FU patients. Actually, the possibility of FU accompanied with PVRL in those patients could be conceivable for the explanation of the current results. However, previous studies have reported that intracranial lymphoma develops in 60–85% of patients with PVRL, usually within 29 months, when medical treatment was not performed [21]. And the life prognosis is quite exacerbated by intracranial lymphoma developing [22]. In this study, five patients were followed-up for 20.4 ± 19.2 months (range 3.8-51.5 months) and no one suffered intracranial lymphoma. In addition, because Fuchs uveitis and PVRL are both rare disease, the possibility of FU accompanied with PVRL is quite very low. Thus, we believe that the current results of positive IgH gene rearrangements are pseudo-positive.

Another question could be considerable if these examinations must be performed using vitreous samples or could be performed using aqueous humor sample. In this study, all of the examinations were performed using undiluted and diluted vitreous specimens, because many examination items and some quantity of sample volumes must be necessary for the diagnosis of PVRL. The samples from aqueous taps from anterior chamber might not be enough for the analysis of PVRL especially in cytology and FACS. Thus, we believe that the differential diagnosis of FU and PVRL should be performed by vitreous samples obtained by vitrectomy.

A few reports have noted that IgH gene rearrangement can be positive in patients with an infectious disease, especially viral hepatitis. A monoclonal IgH gene rearrangement was detected in 10-32.1% of liver biopsy specimens from hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients [23, 24], and in 0.4% of liver biopsy specimens from hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients [23]. The present finding suggests that FU patients might be complicated with chronic immune reactions against RV and the RV antigen could frequently induce monoclonal B cell expansion in their eyes. Thus, ophthalmologists must take care regarding IgH gene rearrangement as a pseudo-positive finding indicating a diagnosis of PVRL in a patient with FU.

In conclusion, IgH gene rearrangement may be frequently found in vitreous specimens of FU cases. A combination of findings including cytological diagnosis, IL-10/IL-6 ratio, flow cytometry, and IgH gene rearrangement are necessary for an accurate diagnosis of PVRL and differentiation from FU.

Abbreviations

FU:

Fuchs’ uveitis

GWC:

Goldmann-Witmer coefficient

HBV:

Hepatitis B virus

HCV:

Hepatitis C virus

IgH:

Immunoglobulin heavy chain

PVRL:

Primary vitreoretinal lymphoma

RV:

Rubella virus

References

  1. Fuchs E. Über Komplikationen der Heterochromie. Z Augenheilk. 1906;159:191–212.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Kimura SJ, Hogan MJ, Thygeson P. Fuchs’ syndrome of Heterochromic Cyclitis. AMA Arch Ophthalmol. 1955;54(2):179–86.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Hey EL, Baarsma GS, Vries JD, Kijlstra A. Clinical analysis of Fuchs’ heterochromic cyclitis. Doc Ophthalmol. 1991;78:225–35.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Quentin CD, Reiber H. Fuchs Heterochromic Cyclitis: rubella virus antibodies and genome in aqueous humor. Am J Ophthalmol. 2004;138:46–54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2004.02.055.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Ruokonen PC, Metzner S, Ücer A, Torun N, Hofmann J, Pleyer U. Intraocular antibody synthesis against rubella virus and other microorganisms in Fuchs’ heterochromic cyclitis. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2010;248:565–71. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-009-1239-7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Suzuki J, Goto H, Komase K, Abo H, Fujii K, Otsuki N, Okamoto K. Rubella virus as a possible etiological agent of Fuchs heterochromic iridocyclitis. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2010;248:1487–91. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-010-1434-6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Bouchenaki N, Herbort CP. Fuchs’ uveitis: failure to associate Vitritis and disc Hyperfluorescence with the disease is the major factor for misdiagnosis and diagnostic delay. Middle East Afl J Ophthalmol. 2009;16(4):239–44. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-9233.58424.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Velilla S, Dios E, Herreras JM, Calonge M. Fuchs’ heterochromic iridocyclitis: a review of 26 cases. Ocul Immunol Inflamm. 2001;9(3):169–75.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Sen HN, Bodaghi B, Hoang PL, Nussenblatt R. Primary intraocular lymphoma: diagnosis and differential diagnosis. Ocul Immunol Inflamm. 2009;17(3):133–41. https://doi.org/10.1080/09273940903108544.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  10. Kimura K, Usui Y, Goto H. The Japanese intraocular lymphoma study group. Clinical features and diagnostic significance of the intraocular fluid of 217 patients with intraocular lymphoma. Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2012;56:383–9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10384-012-0150-7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Whitcup SM, De Smet MC, Rubin BI, Palestine AG, Martin DF, Burnier M Jr, Chan CC, Nussenblatt RB. Intraocular lymphoma. Clinical and histopathologic diagnosis. Ophthalmology. 1993;100(9):1399–406.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Davis JL. Intraocular lymphoma: a clinical perspective. Eye. 2013;27:153–62. https://doi.org/10.1038/eye.2012.250.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Wang Y, Shen D, Wang VM, Sen HN, Chan CC. Molecular biomarkers for the diagnosis of primary vitreoretinal lymphoma. Int J Mol Sci. 2011;12:5684–97. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms12095684.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  14. Goldmann H, Witmer R. Antikörper im Kammerwasser. Ophthalmologica. 1954;127(4-5):323–30.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. van JJM D, Langerak AW, Bru¨ggemann M, Evans PAS, Hummel M, Lavender FL, Delabesse E, Davi F, Schuuring E, García-Sanz R, van Krieken JHJM, Droese J, González D, Bastard C, White HE, Spaargaren M, González M, Parreira A, Smith JL, Morgan GJ, Kneba M, Macintyre EA. Design and standardization of PCR primers and protocols for detection of clonal immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor gene recombinations in suspect lymphoproliferations: report of the BIOMED-2 concerted action BMH4-CT98-3936. Leukemia. 2003;17:2257–317. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.leu.2403202.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Kaburaki T, Taoka K, Matsuda J, Yamashita H, Matsuda I, Tsuji H, Tanaka R, Nakazaki K, Nakamura F, Kamiya K, Kurokawa M, Ohtomo K, Aihara M. Combined intravitreal methotrexate and immunochemotherapy followed by reduced-dose whole-brain radiotherapy for newly diagnosed B-cell primary intraocular lymphoma. Br J Haematol. 2017;179:246–55. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjh.14848.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Muhaya M, Calder V, Towler HMA, Shaer B, Mclauchlan M, Lightman S. Characterization of T cells and cytokines in the aqueous humour (AH) in patients with Fuchs’ heterochromic cyclitis (FHC) and idiopathic anterior uveitis (IAU). Clin Exp Immunol. 1998;111:123–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  18. Suzuki K, Suzuki Y, Matsumoto M, Nakazawa M. Expression profile of Intravitreous cytokines, chemokines and growth factors in patients with Fuchs Heterochromic Iridocyclitis. Case Rep Ophthalmol. 2010;1:5–13. https://doi.org/10.1159/000313842.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  19. Scott RA, Sullivan PM, Aylward GW, Pavésio CE, Charteris DG. The effect of pars plana vitrectomy in the management of Fuchs heterochromic cyclitis. Retina. 2001;21(4):312–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Waters FM, Goodall K, Jones NP, McLeod D. Vitrectomy for vitreous opacification in Fuchs’ heterochromic uveitis. Eye. 2000;14:216–8. https://doi.org/10.1038/eye.2000.57.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Coupland SE, Heimann H, Bechrakis NE. Primary intraocular lymphoma: a review of the clinical, histopathological and molecular biological features. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2004;242:901–13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-004-0973-0.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Ferreri AJ, Blay JY, Reni M, Pasini F, Spina M, Ambrosetti A, Calderoni A, Rossi A, Vavassori V, Conconi A, Devizzi L, Berger F, Ponzoni M, Borisch B, Tinguely M, Cerati M, Milani M, Orvieto E, Sanchez J, Chevreau C, Dell'Oro S, Zucca E, Cavalli F. Prognostic scoring system for primary CNS lymphomas: the international Extranodal lymphoma study group experience. J Clin Oncol. 2003;21:266–72. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.2003.09.139.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Fan HB, Zhu YF, Chen AS, Zhou MX, Yan FM, Ma XJ, Zhou H. B-cell clonality in the liver of hepatitis C virus-infected patients. World J Gastroenterol. 2009;15(13):1636–40.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  24. Vallat L, Benhamou Y, Gutierrez M, Ghillani P, Hercher C, Thibault V, Charlotte F, Piette JC, Poynard T, Merle-Béral H, Davi F, Cacoub P. Clonal B cell populations in the blood and liver of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Arthritis Rheum. 2004;50(11):3668–78. https://doi.org/10.1002/art.20594.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

None.

Funding

All authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest, or non-financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript. This work was supported in part by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (KAKENHI No.16 K11281), by a Grant-in-Aid for Research on Specific Diseases of the Health Sciences Research from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (H26-nanti-ippan-054), by a Grant-in-Aid for Eisai Japan and Novartis Pharma.

Availability of data and materials

All the data supporting the findings is contained within the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan

    Hisae Nakahara, Toshikatsu Kaburaki, Rie Tanaka, Mitsuko Takamoto, Kazuyoshi Ohtomo, Kimiko Okinaga, Keiko Komae & Makoto Aihara

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, Nerima Hikarigaoka Hospital, 2-11-1 Hikarigaoka, Nerima-ku, Tokyo, 179-0072, Japan

    Junko Matsuda

  3. Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital and Institute of Gerontology, 35-2 Sakae-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-0015, Japan

    Jiro Numaga

  4. Department of Ophthalmology, Japan Community Healthcare Organization Tokyo Shinjuku Medical Center, 5-1 Tsukudo-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8541, Japan

    Yujiro Fujino

Authors
  1. Hisae Nakahara
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Toshikatsu Kaburaki
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Rie Tanaka
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Junko Matsuda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Mitsuko Takamoto
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Kazuyoshi Ohtomo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Kimiko Okinaga
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Keiko Komae
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Jiro Numaga
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Yujiro Fujino
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. Makoto Aihara
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

HN collected and analyzed and interpreted the clinical date and wrote the manuscript, and give final approval of the manuscript to publish. TK contributed to the design and concept of this study, acquired and analyzed the data, and gave final approval of the manuscript to publish. RT, JM, MT, KO (Kazuyoshi Ohtomo), KO (Kimiko Okinaga) and KK made substantial contributions to the experimental design and acquisition of clinical date. JN, YF and MA designed and made a concept of the study. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Toshikatsu Kaburaki.

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval and consent to participate

This retrospective study was approved by the ethics committee of University of Tokyo Hospital and it conforms to provisions of the Declaration of Helsinki.

Consent for publication

Written informed consent was obtained from patients for publication.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Nakahara, H., Kaburaki, T., Tanaka, R. et al. Monoclonal immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement in Fuchs’ uveitis. BMC Ophthalmol 18, 74 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12886-018-0740-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12886-018-0740-3

Keywords

  • Fuchs’ uveitis
  • IgH gene rearrangement
  • Intraocular lymphoma
  • Vitrectomy
  • Vitreous opacity

BMC Ophthalmology

ISSN: 1471-2415

Contact us