Role of antituberculous therapy in latent tuberculosis with ocular manifestations

Abstract

Tuberculosis is an airborne infectious illness caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and it is the most common cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Extra-pulmonary TB, often known as ocular tuberculosis, can occur alone or in conjunction with pulmonary tuberculosis. Tuberculosis of the eye can be caused by an active infection or a type 4 hypersensitivity reaction.Aim: To investigate the role of antituberculous therapy in the treatment of suspected intraocular tuberculosis. Based on a clinical diagnosis of Ocular tuberculosis, 46 patients were assessed with a chest X-ray, Mx test, and quantiferon gold assay and treated with ATT. The results showed that out of 46 patients, 29 were females and 17 were males. There were 34 patients with B/L involvement and 12 with U/L involvement. In addition, 76 percent of individuals tested positive for tuberculin on their skin, indicating latent tuberculosis. Quantiferon gold assay was positive in 19.56 percent of patients. On X-ray chest, 17.3% of patients had a healed old tuberculosis lesion. H/O contact with TB family members was reported in 13.04 percent of patients. All patients who had ATT therapy had a favourable outcome, with inflammation clearance and non-recurrence.