Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in corneas from donors with active tuberculosis disease through polymerase chain reaction and culture.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if Mycobacterium tuberculosis can be detected in corneas of donors who have active tuberculosis (TB) disease using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or culture.


METHODS
This is a prospective cross-sectional study.


METHODS
25 corneas (12 from TB-negative donors and 13 from TB-positive donors) from the Sta. Lucia International Eye Bank were submitted to the TB Research Laboratory, Medical Research Laboratory, Department of Medicine, UP-PGH, for diagnostic evaluation.


METHODS
Corneas were evaluated using PCR test for M tuberculosis. Acid-fast bacilli smear and culture were also done.


METHODS
Result of laboratory findings.


RESULTS
Among 12 TB-negative donors, there were 2 (16.67%) corneas that were PCR negative for M tuberculosis, whereas 10 (83.33%) corneas were PCR positive for M tuberculosis. Among 13 TB-positive donors, there were 7 (53.85%) corneas that were PCR negative for M tuberculosis, whereas 6 (46.15%) corneas were PCR positive for M tuberculosis. All cultures were negative.


CONCLUSIONS
PCR for M tuberculosis was positive for some TB-positive donors as well as TB-negative donors. However, all cultures were negative. It is recommended that further studies be done to investigate if recipients with PCR-positive corneas will eventually lead to disease transmission or not. It is further recommended that such findings be used to re-evaluate criteria for suitability of donors with tuberculosis.
Department of Ophthalmology, East Avenue Medical Center, East Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines. jurajover@yahoo.ca
E J
EJ
Catedral
R E
RE
Santos
M D B
MD
Padilla
C
C
Fajardo-Ang
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003315:Cornea / Q000382:microbiology*; D016039:Corneal Transplantation; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014019:Tissue Donors; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000635:transmission; D055815:Young Adult