New developments in uveitis associated with HLA B27

Abstract

Purpose of review: Uveitis is the most common, clinically apparent, extra-articular manifestation of axial spondyloarthritis. This review summarizes recent publications related to this form of uveitis.

Recent findings: Studies published since the start of 2015 address the worldwide prevalence of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) B27-associated uveitis, the prevalence of axial spondyloarthritis among patients with B27-associated acute anterior uveitis (AAU), the genetics of AAU and some of the clinical implications of AAU. Progress has been made in the treatment of uveitis in general and in the treatment of uveitis in association with spondyloarthropathy in particular. The pathogenesis of AAU might derive clues from the above as well as from an understanding of the microbiome and possibly from knowledge derived from uveitis in association with Ebola.

Summary: Although HLA B27-associated uveitis has been recognized since 1973, a variety of recent observations shed new light on this common clinical association with spondyloarthritis.