Dear Colleagues
Welcome to the first Edition of Ocular Immunology and Inflammation for 2012. As usual, for this first edition I would like both to reflect on what we have achieved over the last 12 months, and to look forward to the coming year.
In 2009 we introduced the concept of “Disease of the Year”. Last year this was “Ocular Toxoplasmosis”. We asked a series of experts to review by questionnaire the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnostic approach and treatment of ocular toxoplasmosis. The results showed considerable variation in both opinions and approaches. In addition to toxoplasmosis, we also reviewed other parasitic infections that affect the eye, including immunology of parasitic infections and intraocular parasitosis, while extraocular and orbital parasitosis will follow this year. I thank Drs. S.R. Rathinam and Jyoti Biswas from India for their great help in editing and coordinating these reviews.
In 2012 we will continue our systematic coverage of ocular inflammatory conditions with “Behcet’s Disease,” our “Disease of the Year” for 2012. As in 2011, we begin 2012 with the results of a survey of uveitis specialists intended to highlight areas of consensus and controversy (see page…. in this issue). This will then be followed by a series of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnostic approach and treatment of Behcet’s Disease. Editors for this project will be Drs. Ilknur Tugal-Tutkun, Ahmed M. Abu El-Asrar, Ahmet Gül, Moncef Khairallah and Shigeaki Ohno.
In 2011, we also started a series of manuscripts on the “Genetics of Ocular Inflammatory Disorders”. Expert editorial assistance for this project was provided by Drs. James Rosenbaum, Tammy Martin and Robert Nussenblatt. Manuscripts already published include topics like “Basic Principles,” “HLA-B27 associated Uveitis,” “HLA-A29 and HLA-B51 associated Uveitis” and the “Genetics of Age-related Macular Degeneration.” In 2012. we will continue this review of relevant issues in genetics with summaries entitled “Uveitis beyond HLA,” “Autoinflammatory Disorders,” Genetic of Ocular Tumors,” Genetics of Experimental Murine Uveitis” “Epigenetics”, “Gene Therapy” and “Pharmacogenetics for ocular inflammation”− thus continuing OII’s mission of combining clinical and basic research.
Finally, this year we plan to introduce a new periodic column intended to highlight specific, timely controversies. The format will be one of focal “point-counterpoint,” with each side presented by an appropriate advocate. Where appropriate, these pieces will be accompanied by a brief editorial. Dr. Emmett Cunningham and I will be leading this effort, so please submit any suggestions for topics directly to one or both of us.
With these ideas in mind, we plan to continue to provide our readers with the highest quality articles and reviews from the field of ocular immunology and inflammation. Thank you for your continued support.