title: The diagnostic utility of anterior chamber paracentesis with polymerase chain reaction in anterior uveitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the value of anterior chamber paracentesis with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in patients with anterior uveitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective observational case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  
  
  
  METHODS
  Bascom Palmer Eye Institute.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-three patients with a diagnosis of anterior uveitis who underwent anterior chamber paracentesis with PCR.
  
  
  METHODS
  Anterior chamber paracentesis with PCR of aqueous fluid.
  
  
  METHODS
  Diagnostic utility and frequency of management change based on anterior chamber paracentesis and PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 15 of 53 (28%) acute and 35 of 53 (65%) chronic anterior uveitis patients. PCR positivity of herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus, varicella zoster virus, and Epstein-Barr virus in our population were 4 of 53 (8%), 1 of 47 (2%), 1 of 35 (3%), and 1 of 18 (6%). Overall, 7 of 53 patients (13%) had a change in management because of PCR results from anterior chamber paracentesis. Four patients encountered paracentesis complications (4/53, 7.5%), 1 with long-term sequelae.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Anterior chamber paracentesis with PCR had a relatively low diagnostic utility and resulted in few management changes in patients with suspected infectious anterior uveitis.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
authors: Zane
authors: Z
authors: Anwar
authors: Anat
authors: A
authors: Galor
authors: Thomas A
authors: TA
authors: Albini
authors: Darlene
authors: D
authors: Miller
authors: Victor
authors: V
authors: Perez
authors: Janet L
authors: JL
authors: Davis
mesh_terms: D000867:Anterior Chamber / Q000821:virology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D015828:Eye Infections, Viral / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019152:Paracentesis / Q000379:methods*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014606:Uveitis, Anterior / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D014780:Viruses / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral