Successful Management of Tubercular Subretinal Granulomas

Adjunctive Intravitreal Anti-vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Moxifloxacin Therapy in Management of Intraocular Tubercular Granulomas

PURPOSE

To report pre and post treatment levels of VEGF-A in the aqueous humour of patients with intraocular tubercular granulomas and study the effect of a combined intravitreal anti-VEGF bevacizumab and moxifloxacin therapy on their regression.

METHODS

Aqueous samples of 10 consecutive patients with intraocular tubercular granulomas obtained before and after initiating treatment were subjected to ELISA for analysing intraocular VEGF-A levels. Intravitreal injections of bevacizumab and moxifloxacin were given weekly till complete regression of these granulomas. All patients received the usual four-drug ATT and oral corticosteroids.

RESULTS

Mean baseline VEGF-A level was 1004.27±411.40 pg/ml (401.32-1688.95) that reduced significantly to 27.62±46.86 pg/ml (6.9-131.83) at the last injection. Meannumber of intravitreal injections was 3.1 (2-4). We found significant correlation of decreasing levels of aqueous VEGF-A with the clinical regression of these tubercular granulomas.

CONCLUSIONS

Intraocular TB granulomas have high levels of VEGF-A. Weekly intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF bevacizumab with moxifloxacin as an adjunct to the standard care may cause prompt regression of tubercular granulomas.

ABBREVIATIONS

TB: Tuberculosis; IOTB: Intraocular tuberculosis; VEGF: Vascular endothelial growth factor; RD: Retinal detachment; Mtb: Mycobacterium tuberculosis; ATT: Antitubercular therapy; AMD: Age-related macular degeneration; SRF: Subretinal fluid; ELISA: Enzyme immunosorbent assay; PCR: Polymerase chain reaction; ONH: Optic nerve head; MDR-TB: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis; pg/ml: picogram/milliliter; ESR: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate; CECT: Contrast enhanced computed tomography; DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid; RNA: Ribonucleic acid; BSL: Biosafety level; BCVA: Best corrected visual acuity; HM: Hand movements; KP: Keratic precipitates; PSC: Posterior subcapsular cataract; PS: Posterior synechiae; CRA: Chorio-retinal atrophy; IVMP: Intravenous methyl prednisolone; OCT: Optical coherence tomography; RPE: Retinal pigment epithelium; FFA: Fundus fluorescein angiography; ICG: Indocyanine angiography; RAP: Retinal arterial proliferans.

Clinical features and long-term treatment outcomes in choroidal tuberculoma

PURPOSE

To investigate the clinical features and treatment outcomes of patients with choroidal tuberculoma.

METHODS

In this retrospective, observational case series, the medical records of five patients with choroidal tuberculoma who were followed up at a university hospital for at least 6 months were analyzed.

RESULTS

Of five patients, one was male and four were female. The overall mean age was 38.0 ± 9.4 years (mean follow-up: 41.2 ± 33.8 months). Tuberculin skin test was performed in three patients, and it was positive in two of them. Interferon-gamma assay was performed in two patients and was positive in all two. Three patients had systemic tuberculosis involving the lung or other organs. Five patients were treated with antitubercular therapy for a period of 9.6 ± 8.6 months. Systemic corticosteroid treatment was performed in 3 patients, with a period of 3.5 ± 0.7 months. One patient with a recurrent vascularized tuberculoma was successfully treated with single intravitreal bevacizumab injection.

CONCLUSION

Choroidal tuberculoma can develop without evidence of systemic tuberculosis and can recur despite antitubercular treatment. High index of suspicion is important in early detection, and management of choroidal tuberculoma. In cases of suspected choroidal tuberculoma, positive results on immunological tests would be sufficient to initiate antitubercular therapy even if radiological evidence of systemic tuberculosis is not found. Antitubercular therapy combined with systemic corticosteroids provided favorable results. Intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor may be considered for highly vascularized choroidal tuberculoma.

Imaging in Tubercular Choroiditis: Current Concepts

PURPOSE

Ocular tuberculosis has protean clinical manifestations. Because of its varied clinical presentation, multimodal imaging is very important to characterize the disease activity, presence of inflammation, determining therapeutic response, and detection of complications.

METHODS

Narrative review.

RESULTS

In this review, various imaging modalities employed in the management of ocular tuberculosis including fluorescein angiography (FA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) have been reviewed. Not only do these imaging tools complement each other in providing a comprehensive assessment of the pathology, they also help in gaining valuable insights regarding the evolution of the disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Fundus imaging plays a vital role in the diagnosis and management of patients with posterior uveitis due to tuberculosis. Fundus imaging may have a useful role in defining clinical endpoints for ocular tuberculosis in the future.

Collaborative Ocular Tuberculosis Study Consensus Guidelines on the Management of Tubercular Uveitis-Report 2: Guidelines for Initiating Antitubercular Therapy in Anterior Uveitis, Intermediate Uveitis, Panuveitis, and Retinal Vasculitis

TOPIC

The Collaborative Ocular Tuberculosis Study (COTS), supported by the International Ocular Inflammation Society, International Uveitis Study Group, and Foster Ocular Immunological Society, set up an international, expert-led consensus project to develop evidence- and experience-based guidelines for the management of tubercular uveitis (TBU).

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The absence of international agreement on the use of antitubercular therapy (ATT) in patients with TBU contributes to a significant heterogeneity in the approach to the management of this condition.

METHODS

Consensus statements for the initiation of ATT in TBU were generated using a 2-step modified Delphi technique. In Delphi step 1, a smart web-based survey based on background evidence from published literature was prepared to collect the opinion of 81 international experts on the use of ATT in different clinical scenarios. The survey included 324 questions related to tubercular anterior uveitis (TAU), tubercular intermediate uveitis (TIU), tubercular panuveitis (TPU), and tubercular retinal vasculitis (TRV) administered by the experts, after which the COTS group met in November 2019 for a systematic and critical discussion of the statements in accordance with the second round of the modified Delphi process.

RESULTS

Forty-four consensus statements on the initiation of ATT in TAU, TIU, TPU, and TRV were obtained, based on ocular phenotypes suggestive of TBU and corroborative evidence of tuberculosis, provided by several combinations of immunologic and radiologic test results. Experts agreed on initiating ATT in recurrent TAU, TIU, TPU, and active TRV depending on the TB endemicity. In the presence of positive results for any 1 of the immunologic tests along with radiologic features suggestive of past evidence of tuberculosis infection. In patients with a first episode of TAU, consensus to initiate ATT was reached only if both immunologic and radiologic test results were positive.

DISCUSSION

The COTS consensus guidelines were generated based on the evidence from published literature, specialists' opinions, and logic construction to address the initiation of ATT in TBU. The guidelines also should inform public policy by adding specific types of TBU to the list of conditions that should be treated as tuberculosis.

Collaborative Ocular Tuberculosis Study Consensus Guidelines on the Management of Tubercular Uveitis-Report 1: Guidelines for Initiating Antitubercular Therapy in Tubercular Choroiditis

TOPIC

An international, expert-led consensus initiative organized by the Collaborative Ocular Tuberculosis Study (COTS), along with the International Ocular Inflammation Society and the International Uveitis Study Group, systematically developed evidence- and experience-based recommendations for the treatment of tubercular choroiditis.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The diagnosis and management of tubercular uveitis (TBU) pose a significant challenge. Current guidelines and literature are insufficient to guide physicians regarding the initiation of antitubercular therapy (ATT) in patients with TBU.

METHODS

An international expert steering subcommittee of the COTS group identified clinical questions and conducted a systematic review of the published literature on the use of ATT for tubercular choroiditis. Using an interactive online questionnaire, guided by background knowledge from published literature, 81 global experts (including ophthalmologists, pulmonologists, and infectious disease physicians) generated preliminary consensus statements for initiating ATT in tubercular choroiditis, using Oxford levels of medical evidence. In total, 162 statements were identified regarding when to initiate ATT in patients with tubercular serpiginous-like choroiditis, tuberculoma, and tubercular focal or multifocal choroiditis. The COTS group members met in November 2018 to refine these statements by a 2-step modified Delphi process.

RESULTS

Seventy consensus statements addressed the initiation of ATT in the 3 subtypes of tubercular choroiditis, and in addition, 10 consensus statements were developed regarding the use of adjunctive therapy in tubercular choroiditis. Experts agreed on initiating ATT in tubercular choroiditis in the presence of positive results for any 1 of the positive immunologic tests along with radiologic features suggestive of tuberculosis. For tubercular serpiginous-like choroiditis and tuberculoma, positive results from even 1 positive immunologic test were considered sufficient to recommend ATT, even if there were no radiologic features suggestive of tuberculosis.

DISCUSSION

Consensus guidelines were developed to guide the initiation of ATT in patients with tubercular choroiditis, based on the published literature, expert opinion, and practical experience, to bridge the gap between clinical need and available medical evidence.

Current Practices in Ocular Tuberculosis: A Survey of Brazilian Specialists

Purpose: To describe the approach of Brazilian specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis-associated uveitis (TBU).Methods: Members of the Brazilian Uveitis Society received an electronic invitation to participate in an online questionnaire.Results: Of the 169 invited specialists, 78 answered the questionnaire. Specialists evaluated 5.6 patients with TBU annually. Tuberculin skin test (TST, 81%) was primarily used for diagnosis. Patients with presumed TBU should always be tested for syphilis and HIV according to 51 (88%) and 47 (81%) of respondents, respectively. Chest computed tomography (CT, 72%) was preferable to chest radiography (CXR) for diagnosis. A positive TST (81%) and CXR (60%) were the main indicators of anti-tuberculous therapy, with 34%, 39%, and 14% of specialists treating for 6, 9, and 12 months, respectively.Conclusions: TST remains the preferred method for TBU diagnosis and prompt treatment by Brazilian specialists, though there is no consensus regarding disease treatment and management.

Infectious uveitis: an Asian perspective

Several intraocular infections can present with protean manifestations posing major diagnostic and management challenges. Infections such as tuberculosis, dengue and chikungunya fever have continued to remain major endemic diseases that are associated with uveitis in the Asia Pacific region. These entities often require a high index of clinical suspicion and laboratory analysis including assays of ocular fluids and/or tissues for confirmation of the diagnosis. Infectious uveitis caused by tuberculosis, dengue and chikungunya can present with characteristic clinical features and imaging findings on ancillary investigations; that may provide clue to the early diagnosis. Use of modern imaging modalities such as enhanced-depth imaging optical coherence tomography, optical coherence tomography angiography and ultra-wide field fundus photography greatly aid in the evaluation of these conditions. In the current review, we have discussed the epidemiology, clinical phenotypes, imaging characteristics, diagnosis and management of uveitis caused by tuberculosis, dengue and chikungunya.

Diminished TLR2-TLR9 mediated CD4+ T cell responses are associated with increased inflammation in intraocular tuberculosis

Intraocular tuberculosis (IOTB) is amongst the leading causes of uveitis in tropical countries. Despite reports on involvement of proinflammatory cytokines, studies on innate immune responses in disease pathogenesis are lacking. Reports from animal models and patients with pulmonary tuberculosis indicate that defects in toll like receptor (TLR)2 and TLR9 signalling predispose them to tuberculosis. In this context, we investigated the role of TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9 in generation of CD4+ T effector (Teff) cell responses during IOTB. Firstly, the cells in vitreous fluids showed lower expression of TLR2 and TLR9 in IOTB as compared to non-uveitis and non-TB uveitis groups. Next, peripheral CD4+ Teff cells of subjects with IOTB showed decreased proliferative responses and lower induction of Tregs following TLR2 and TLR9 stimulation. Further, TLR9 ligation resulted in increased IFN-γ and IL-17a but decreased expression of IL-10 and TGF-β. Lastly, lower expression of genes involved in TLR9 signalling after direct TLR9 ligation was observed in IOTB. Collectively, our results show that a subdued response to direct TLR2 and TLR9 stimulation in CD4+ T cells is associated with increased proinflammatory responses in IOTB. These findings reveal an important link between innate immune signalling and ensuing adaptive immune responses in IOTB with implications in other forms of extrapulmonary tuberculosis.

Clinical Features and Outcomes of Patients With Tubercular Uveitis Treated With Antitubercular Therapy in the Collaborative Ocular Tuberculosis Study (COTS)-1

Importance

Eradication of systemic tuberculosis (TB) has been limited by neglected populations and the HIV pandemic. Whereas ocular TB often presents as uveitis without any prior evidence of systemic TB, the existing uncertainty in the diagnosis of TB uveitis may perpetuate missed opportunities to address systemic TB.

Objective

To examine the clinical features of TB uveitis and the associations with response to antitubercular therapy (ATT).

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective multinational cohort study included patients from 25 ophthalmology referral centers diagnosed with TB uveitis and treated with ATT from January 1, 2004, through December 31, 2014, with a minimum follow-up of 1 year.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Treatment failure, defined as a persistence or recurrence of inflammation within 6 months of completing ATT, inability to taper oral corticosteroids to less than 10 mg/d or topical corticosteroid drops to less than 2 drops daily, and/or recalcitrant inflammation necessitating corticosteroid-sparing immunosuppressive therapy.

Results

A total of 801 patients (1272 eyes) were studied (mean [SD] age, 40.5 [14.8] years; 413 [51.6%] male and 388 [48.4%] female; 577 [73.6%] Asian). Most patients had no known history (498 of 661 [75.3%]) of systemic TB. Most patients had bilateral involvement (471 of 801 [58.8%]). Common clinical signs reported include vitreous haze (523 of 1153 [45.4%]), retinal vasculitis (374 of 874 [42.8%]), and choroidal involvement (419 of 651 [64.4%]). Treatment failure developed in 102 of the 801 patients (12.7%). On univariate regression analysis, the hazard ratios (HRs) associated with intermediate uveitis (HR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.07-4.55; P = .03), anterior uveitis (HR, 2.68; 95% CI, 1.32-2.35; P = .006), and panuveitis (HR, 3.28; 95% CI, 1.89-5.67; P < .001) were significantly higher compared with posterior distribution. The presence of vitreous haze had a statistically significant association (HR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.26-3.02; P = .003) compared with absence of vitreous haze. Bilaterality had an associated HR of 1.50 (95% CI, 0.96-2.35) compared with unilaterality (HR, 1 [reference]), although this finding was not statistically significant (P = .07). On multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, the presence of vitreous haze had an adjusted HR of 2.98 (95% CI, 1.50-5.94; P = .002), presence of snow banking had an adjusted HR of 3.71 (95% CI, 1.18-11.62; P = .02), and presence of choroidal involvement had an adjusted HR of 2.88 (95% CI, 1.22-6.78; P = .02).

Conclusions and Relevance

A low treatment failure rate occurred in patients with TB uveitis treated with ATT. Phenotypes and test results are studied whereby patients with panuveitis having vitreous and choroidal involvement had a higher risk of treatment failure. These findings are limited by retrospective methods. A prospectively derived composite clinical risk score might address this diagnostic uncertainty through holistic and standardized assessment of the combinations of clinical features and investigation results that may warrant diagnosis of TB uveitis and treatment with ATT.

Infectious uveitis: An enigma

Infectious uveitis accounts for majority of the cases of uveitis in developing countries. It also encompasses an array of various microorganisms and their clinical presentations. Some of these infectious uveitic entities are familiar, while others are newly emerging in the global ophthalmic world. Many of these entities are also a major cause of morbidity and mortality, and appropriate, timely management is required to save not the eye, but life of the patient. This review highlights the ocular manifestations of various infectious uveitic entities, relevant to the ophthalmologist.

Intraocular manifestations of mycobacterium tuberculosis: A review of the literature

Mycobacterium tuberculosis: is most commonly associated with pulmonary infection. However, tuberculosis (TB) can also affect the eye. TB can affect nearly any tissue in the eye, and a high index of suspicion is required for accurate diagnosis, as many of the intraocular manifestations of TB can mimic other, more common diseases. Correct diagnosis is critical because systemic anti-tuberculosis treatment may be required, and vision loss or even loss of the affected eye can occur without proper treatment. Thus, it is important for ophthalmologists and infectious disease specialists to work together to accurately diagnose and treat intraocular TB. This article reports the various known presentations of intraocular TB and reviews important elements of diagnosis and treatment.

Multi-modal imaging and anatomic classification of the white dot syndromes

The white dot syndromes (WDS) are a diverse group of posterior uveitidies that share similar clinical findings but are unique from one another. Multimodal imaging has allowed us to better understand the morphology, the activity and age of lesions, and whether there is CNV associated with these different ocular pathologies. The “white dot syndromes” and their uveitic masqueraders can now be anatomically categorized based on lesion localization. The categories include local uveitic syndromes with choroidal pathology, systemic uveitic syndromes with choroidal pathology, and multifocal choroiditis with outer retinal/choriocapillaris pathology with uveitis and without uveitis. Neoplastic and infectious etiologies are also discussed given their ability to masquerade as WDS.

Ocular mycobacteriosis-dual infection of M. tuberculosis complex with M. fortuitum and M. bovis

Background

We report unfavorable outcome in a patient with subretinal granuloma caused by dual infection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex with Mycobacterium fortuitum and Mycobacterium bovis in an immunosuppressed, non-HIV patient. We did a systematic review of literature on dual infection due to M. tuberculosis and M. fortuitum via MEDLINE and PUBMED and could not find any case reported of causing this kind of dual infection in the eye.

Results

A 38-year-old Indian male patient presented with decreased vision in the left eye for 3 months, diagnosed as tubercular choroidal granuloma with associated retinal angiomatosis proliferans (RAP) lesion. He also had multiple enlarged lymph nodes in the chest, and sternal pus sample was positive for acid-fast bacilli (AFB). M. tuberculosis complex was detected by gene expert. The patient was started on antitubercular treatment (ATT) whereby the lung lesions improved but the ocular lesion showed initial clinical improvement followed by worsening. Twenty-five-gauge diagnostic pars plana core vitreous surgery was done whereby sample demonstrated a large number of AFB on Ziehl-Neelsen stain and auramine-rhodamine stain. The vitreous sample showed growth on routinely inoculated mycobacteria growth indicator tube (MGIT) 960 tubes, and multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Gene Xpert MTB/ RIF assay (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA), and line probe assay (LPA) were positive for ocular tuberculosis. In view of nonresponse to conventional ATT, a suspicion of dual infection of M. tuberculosis complex with a nontubercular mycobacteria was kept and a subculture was made onto the solid Lowenstein-Jensen (LJ) medium from the positive MGIT 960 tubes. Two morphologically distinct types of colonies were obtained on LJ slopes. Subsequently, the two etiological agents were identified as M. fortuitum and M. bovis by PCR from the vitreous sample.

Conclusions

Co-infection of M. tuberculosis complex with nontubercular mycobacterium (NTM) has never been reported from ocular tuberculosis before. In immunosuppressed individuals, who test positive for MTB, not responding to the standard ATT, one needs to have a high index of clinical suspicion to rule out associated NTM infection and initiate appropriate multidrug systemic antibiotic therapy early.

Clinical Profile of Patients with Tubercular Subretinal Abscess in a Tertiary Eye Care Center in Southern India

PURPOSE

To retrospectively analyze clinical features, laboratory investigations, treatment and visual outcomes in patients with tubercular subretinal abscess.

METHODS

A total of 12 eyes of 12 patients receiving a diagnosis of subretinal abscess, between 2004 and 2014, were included for this retrospective study.

RESULTS

The mean age of the presentation was 29.75 ± 16.72 years (range: 14-62 years) and seven (58.3%) were male. The most common anterior segment presentation was anterior uveitis (75%). The mean BCVA at presentation was 1.62 (in logMAR). A tuberculin skin test was positive in seven patients (58.3%) and five patients had a history of pulmonary tuberculosis. Polymerase chain reaction for the Mycobacterium tuberculosis genome was positive in 6 of 11 eyes from aqueous aspirate (54%) and 4 of 7 eyes from vitreous aspirates (57.14%). All patients were started on systemic steroids and an anti-tubercular regimen. The mean duration of follow-up was 134.28 days. The mean BCVA at final presentation was 1.19 (in logMAR). Chorioretinal scar was the most common finding after resolution.

CONCLUSIONS

Subretinal abscess is a rare manifestation of ocular tuberculosis. A high degree of suspicion and timely management of the condition can prevent loss of vision.

Anti-tubercular therapy for intraocular tuberculosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Intraocular tuberculosis remains a diagnostic and management conundrum for both ophthalmologists and pulmonologists. We analyze the efficacy and safety of anti-tubercular therapy (ATT) in patients with intraocular tuberculosis and factors associated with favorable outcome. Twenty-eight studies are included in this review, with a total of 1,917 patients. Nonrecurrence of inflammation was observed in pooled estimate of 84% of ATT-treated patients (95% CI 79-89). There was minimal difference in the outcome between patients treated with ATT alone (85% successful outcome; 95% CI 25-100) and those with concomitant systemic corticosteroid (82%; 95% CI 73-90). The use of ATT may be of benefit to patients with suspected intraocular tuberculosis; however, this conclusion is limited by the lack of control group analysis and standardized recruitment and treatment protocols. We propose further prospective studies to better establish the efficacy of ATT and ascertain the factors associated with favorable treatment outcomes.

Bilateral choroidal tuberculoma in miliary tuberculosis - report of a case

BACKGROUND

A choroidal mass or granuloma is a feature of ocular tuberculosis (TB). Tubercles can arise in the early stages of progression of TB and indicate hematogenous dissemination before the development of symptomatic disease. Tubercular subretinal granuloma is responsive to treatment with anti-tuberculosis therapy, and prompt treatment helps resolve the lesion completely.

FINDINGS

We report a case of a solitary large active choroidal tuberculoma in one eye and multiple healed tubercles in the other. The patient was an immunocompetent girl with splenic and miliary TB and had a relatively asymptomatic systemic status. Aqueous humor analysis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time PCR (RT-PCR) was negative for the Mycobacterium tuberculosis genome. Based on clinical history and investigations, treatment with four-drug regimen of anti-tubercular treatment with concomitant corticosteroids was started, and total healing of the lesion occurred in 3 months.

CONCLUSIONS

This case highlights the fact that in some patients, analysis of the aqueous may not provide any clue to the confirmation of an active tubercular choroidal granuloma and an association between splenic tuberculosis and choroidal tubercles has never been reported in the past.

Intraocular Tuberculosis

Intraocular tuberculosis remains a major diagnostic challenge and it is extremely important to establish the diagnosis as the specific treatment helps in reducing the recurrences, thus reducing ocular morbidity. The present review aims to describe the global epidemiology and pathogenesis of intraocular tuberculosis with clinical spectrum and different presentations. The challenges in establishing the diagnosis with role of conventional tests like PPD skin test as well as current diagnostic tests including interferon gamma release assay and molecular diagnostic tests are discussed. The treatment requires anti-tuberculosis therapy with the use of concomitant corticosteroids and carries good prognosis provided the treatment is started in the early stage.

How to cite this article

Parchand S, Gupta V, Gupta A, Sharma A. Intraocular Tuberculosis. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2013;47(4):193-201.

Choroidal biopsy of a patient with AIDS and systemic tuberculosis: a clinicopathologic case report

PURPOSE

To report a case of Mycobacterium tuberculosis choroidal granuloma confirmed by the presence of acid-fast bacilli seen on subretinal biopsy of the choroidal lesion.

METHODS

Observational case report. A 54-year-old woman with AIDS and systemic tuberculosis reported decreased vision in the right eye for 2 months duration.

RESULTS

Subretinal biopsy showed granulomatous inflammation, and acid-fast bacilli were identified on the acid-fast bacilli stain.

CONCLUSION

In cases of presumed tuberculosis choroidal granuloma not initially responsive to tuberculosis therapy, biopsy of the choroidal mass can be beneficial to confirm the diagnosis and guide treatment.

Complications of presumed ocular tuberculosis

PURPOSE

To determine the effect of steroid treatment on visual outcome and ocular complications in patients with presumed ocular tuberculosis.

METHODS

Retrospective review of patients with presumptive ocular tuberculosis. The clinical diagnosis was made based on ocular findings, positive purified protein derivative (PPD) testing of more than 15 mm induration, exclusion of other causes of uveitis and positive ocular response to anti-tuberculous therapy (ATT) within 4 weeks. Group 1 included patients who had received oral prednisone or subtenon injection of triamcinolone acetonide prior to ATT. Group 2 included patients who did not receive corticosteroid therapy prior to administration of ATT.

RESULTS

  Among 500 consecutive new cases of uveitis encountered in 1997-2007 there were 49 (10%) patients with presumed ocular tuberculosis. These comprised 28 (57%) male and 21 (43%) female patients with a mean age of 45 years (range 12-76 years). Four (20%) patients in group 1 had initial visual acuity of 20/40 or better, in comparison to eight (28%) patients in group 2. At 1-year follow-up, six (30%) patients in group 1 had a visual acuity of 20/40 or better compared with 20 (69%) patients in group 2 (p = 0.007). Of 20 eyes (26%) in group 1 that had visual acuity of < 20/50 at 1-year follow up, 14 (70%) eyes developed severe chorioretinal lesion (p = 0.019).

CONCLUSION

Early administration of corticosteroids without anti-tuberculous therapy in presumed ocular tuberculosis may lead to poor visual outcome compared with patients who did not receive corticosteroids prior to presentation. Furthermore, the severity of chorioretinitis lesion in the group of patients given corticosteroid prior to ATT may account for the poor visual outcome.

Ocular signs predictive of tubercular uveitis

PURPOSE

To determine ocular signs predictive of tubercular uveitis.

DESIGN

Retrospective, nonrandomized, comparative interventional case study.

METHODS

Three hundred eighty-six patients with active uveitis were treated at a tertiary care single-center uveitis practice. Uveitis was presumed to be tubercular in patients who showed evidence of latent or manifest tuberculosis without any other known cause and who did not show recurrence of uveitis after 12 months of antitubercular therapy. One hundred eighty-two patients who thus obtained clinical diagnoses of presumed tubercular uveitis were enrolled in group A. Two hundred four patients with uveitis resulting from a nontubercular cause were enrolled in group B. Patients were monitored for the presence of types of keratic precipitates (mutton fat or fine), posterior synechiae (broad based or filiform), iris nodules, snowballs, snow banking, vasculitis (with or without choroiditis), serpiginous-like choroiditis, and other types of posterior uveitis (choroidal abscess, retinochoroiditis, or exudative retinal detachment) which were compared between the 2 groups. Statistical analysis was carried out at a 5% level of significance. The main outcome measures were clinical signs significantly associated with tubercular uveitis.

RESULTS

Broad-based posterior synechiae, retinal vasculitis with or without choroiditis, and serpiginous-like choroiditis were seen significantly more commonly in patients with tubercular uveitis. Filiform posterior synechiae were more frequent in eyes with nontubercular uveitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Broad-based posterior synechiae, retinal vasculitis with or without choroiditis, and serpiginous-like choroiditis in patients with latent or manifest tuberculosis in tuberculosis-endemic areas are suggestive of a tubercular cause of uveitis and merit specific treatment.

Current approach in the diagnosis and management of posterior uveitis

Posterior uveitic entities are varied entities that are infective or non-infective in etiology. They can affect the adjacent structures such as the retina, vitreous, optic nerve head and retinal blood vessels. Thorough clinical evaluation gives a clue to the diagnosis while ancillary investigations and laboratory tests assist in confirming the diagnosis. Newer evolving techniques in the investigations and management have increased the diagnostic yield. In case of diagnostic dilemma, intraocular fluid evaluation for polymerase chain testing for the genome and antibody testing against the causative agent provide greater diagnostic ability.

Role of anti-tubercular therapy in uveitis with latent/manifest tuberculosis

PURPOSE

To assess the role of anti-tubercular therapy in uveitis with latent/manifest tuberculosis (TB).

DESIGN

Retrospective, interventional case series.

METHODS

A total of 360 patients from uveitis clinic with following inclusion criteria were studied: 1) complete clinical records of visual acuity, slit-lamp biomicroscopic examination, intraocular pressure, complications if any, and treatment records at the baseline and at all follow-up visits; 2) a documented positive tuberculin skin test (10 mm of induration or more) at 48 to 72 hours; 3) evidence of active uveitis, i.e., cellular reaction in the anterior chamber with or without keratic precipitates, and/or active vitreous inflammation, retinal vasculitis, choroiditis, or neuroretinitis; 4) all known causes of infectious uveitis except TB and known noninfectious uveitic syndromes ruled out; and 5) a minimum one year of follow-up from the initiation of treatment. Of these, 216 patients (Group A) received four-drug anti-tubercular therapy and corticosteroids, and 144 patients (Group B) received corticosteroids alone. The main outcome measure was recurrence of inflammation after minimum six months of initiating treatment in each group.

RESULTS

Recurrences reduced significantly (P < .001) in Group A (15.74%) as compared to Group B (46.53%) over a median follow-up of 24 and 31 months, respectively. The patients treated with anti-tubercular therapy with corticosteroids had decreased risk of developing recurrence of uveitis by approximately two-thirds as compared to those treated with corticosteroids alone.

CONCLUSION

Addition of anti-tubercular therapy to corticosteroids in uveitis patients with latent/manifest TB led to significant reduction in recurrences of uveitis.

Tuberculosis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this report is to present an update on the manifestations and management of ocular tuberculosis.

RECENT FINDINGS

Tuberculosis affects one-third of the world's population. The incidence of tuberculosis has increased with the increase in the HIV infected population. Following a resurgence of the disease in the US, the incidence has recently declined. Patients may develop scleritis that can be focal, nodular or diffuse with or without keratitis. Anterior granulomatous uveitis may occur. The posterior segment reveals vitritis, choroiditis, and can mimic serpiginous choroiditis and other entities. Patients who are immunosuppressed or HIV infected may develop active mycobacterial disease in the eye leading to rapid destruction of the ocular structures. The diagnosis of ocular tuberculosis is made by isolation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis on Löwestein-Jensen medium or by PCR. The diagnosis is supported by the clinical findings, imaging techniques including optical coherence tomography, fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green and ultrasonography. Tuberculin skin test helps to confirm the diagnosis.

SUMMARY

Ocular tuberculosis may occur in the absence of pulmonary disease. Patients present with a spectrum of clinical signs. The disease may mimic several clinical entities. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment of ocular tuberculosis may prevent ocular morbidity and blindness.