Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease in identical twins.

Abstract

Certain aspects in the development of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease are documented, and immunogenetic studies have revealed a high relevance of some HLA types. Roles of possible environmental factors in disease onset are not fully understood, however. Two cases involving monozygotic twin sisters who were diagnosed as having VKH disease and followed for more than 2 years are presented. Both patients showed the diffuse panuveitis that is characteristic of VKH disease and shared the same HLA typings. However, there was a 16-year time lag between onset of disease in the two patients, and many differences in their lifestyles before disease onset were noted. Although certain endogenous factors play an important role in the development of VKH disease, some exogenous factors may also affect the onset of the disease.