Associations of Fuchs heterochromic iridocyclitis in a South Indian patient population

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to look for any possible associations in 58 consecutive cases of Fuchs heterochromic iridocyclitis (FHI) in a South Indian patient population. Fifty-eight consecutive cases (59 eyes) of FHI underwent a detailed ocular and systemic evaluation. Routine laboratory investigations for uveitis including serum angiotensin-converting enzyme and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for toxoplasmosis (IgG and IgM) were done in all the cases. Syndrome Evaluation System comprising of multiplex nucleic acid amplification and signature specific hybridization on the aqueous fluid was done in all 59 eyes for herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella zoster virus, cytomegalovirus (CMV), rubella virus, chikungunya virus, Toxoplasma, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The results were statistically assessed using the SPSS (version 15) package. RESULTS: Thirty-three males and 25 females with FHI were included in the study. Systemic sarcoidosis was seen in two cases. Serological tests failed to confirm an association with toxoplasmosis in all the cases. Aqueous fluid analysis showed positivity only to HSV (one case), CMV (one case), and chikungunya virus (one case). CONCLUSIONS: We do see associations of sarcoidosis, HSV, and CMV in FHI in our patient populations as well. The detection of chikungunya virus in a patient with FHI in our series adds to the list of associations with FHI.