title: The role of the isoniazid therapeutic test in tuberculous uveitis.
abstract: Of 38 cases of uveitis examined from 1970 to 1980 in which a tuberculous cause was considered, we classified 18 as presumed tuberculous on the basis of a positive response to isoniazid. We compared these patients to a control group who had a positive skin test but a negative response to the isoniazid therapeutic test. We found a family history of tuberculosis in seven of the 18 (P less than .05) and a more common (18 of 36 eyes) incidence of iridocyclitis (P less than .05) than of other types of uveitis. A uveitis patient who has a positive tuberculin skin test of any size or strength should undergo the isoniazid therapeutic test to ensure that a possible diagnosis of tuberculous uveitis is not missed. Tuberculosis should be suspected in both granulomatous and non granulomatous uveal lesions, especially in cases of chronic iridocyclitis.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007538:Isoniazid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014374:Tuberculin Test; D014392:Tuberculosis, Ocular / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D014605:Uveitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D014606:Uveitis, Anterior / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D007538:Isoniazid