Detection of Chlamydia and Complement Factors in Neovascular Membranes of Patients with Age-related Macular Degeneration

• Published in: Ocular immunology and inflammation 2013-02, Vol.21 (1), p.36-43
• Main Authors: Wolf-Schnurrbusch, Ute E. K., Hess, Roberto, Jordi, Florian, Stuck, Anna K., Sarra, Gian-Marco, Wolf, Sebastian, Enzmann, Volker
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Age-related macular degeneration; Chlamydia pneumoniae; Chlamydophila Infections - complications; Chlamydophila Infections - diagnosis; Chlamydophila Infections - metabolism; Chlamydophila pneumoniae - isolation & purification; Choroidal neovascularization; Choroidal Neovascularization - diagnosis; Choroidal Neovascularization - metabolism; Choroidal Neovascularization - microbiology; Complement C5; Complement factor H; Complement Factor H - analysis; Eye Infections, Bacterial - complications; Eye Infections, Bacterial - diagnosis; Eye Infections, Bacterial - microbiology; Humans; Macular Degeneration - complications; Macular Degeneration - diagnosis; Macular Degeneration - metabolism; Male; Middle Aged; Retinal Neovascularization - diagnosis; Retinal Neovascularization - microbiology
• ISSN: 0927-3948; 1744-5078
• DOI: 10.3109/09273948.2012.726393

Purpose: To investigate whether Chlamydia pneumoniae and complement factors were present in surgically removed choroidal neovascular membranes (CNV) of patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods: Paraffin sections of 26 CNV were stained for C. pneumoniae or the complement factors H (CFH) and C5, whereas macrophages were identified by positive CD68 staining. Clinical characteristics have been correlated to the immunohistochemical findings. Results: C. pneumoniae was found in 68% of the investigated membranes, and 88% of these membranes were also positive for CD68. Staining for CFH and C5 gave a positive reaction in 68 and 41% of the membranes, respectively. Patients with C5-positive membranes had significantly larger CNV mean area and were younger than patients with CFH-positive membranes at the operation time point. Conclusions: Correlations between clinical symptoms and complement factor C5 could be shown. The results strengthen the hypothesis of an involvement of the complement system in AMD.