Polymerase Chain Reaction for Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Granulomatous Anterior Uveitis - An Analysis of 51 Eyes.

Purpose: To evaluate the role of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTb) in granulomatous anterior uveitis and comparing the results with those of Mantoux test, QuantiFERON-TB Gold test, and High-Resolution Computed Tomography of Chest (HRCT-chest).

Methods: Data of 51 eyes of 38 patients with clinical features of granulomatous anterior uveitis undergoing anterior chamber fluid aspiration for PCR for MTb targeting IS6110 and MPB64 were studied.

Results: Out of 38 patients, 25 (65.8%) were positive for MTb genome on PCR. 24 patients were tested for Mantoux, out of which 12 patients (50%) were positive and 12 patients (50%) were negative. 22 out of 38 patients had undergone QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QFT) test, out of which 10 (45.5%) were positive and 12 (54.5%) were negative. 36 out of 38 patients had undergone HRCT. Eight out of 38 (21.1%) patients had significant findings in HRCT-chest, as well as PCR positivity for MTb genome while 12 (31.6%) patients did not have any significant findings on HRCT-chest, but were positive for PCR.

Conclusion: PCR for MTb is a valuable tool in the diagnosis of tubercular anterior uveitis. PCR can be positive even in cases of negative Mantoux test, QFT, and HRCT-chest in granulomatous anterior uveitis.