title: Clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes in presumed intraocular tuberculosis: experience from Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report the clinical manifestations and treatment outcomes of patients with presumed intraocular tuberculosis (TB) seen at the Newcastle Uveitis Service, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK over a 10-year period.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of case notes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 21 patients were identified. Occlusive retinal vasculitis was the commonest ophthalmological presentation (12 patients). Eight patients (38%) were found to have underlying active systemic TB (four with mediastinal lymphadenopathy, three with pulmonary TB, one with cutaneous TB). Constitutional or respiratory symptoms, elevated inflammatory markers, and an abnormal chest radiograph were poor indicators of active TB. Two patients had inactive intrathoracic TB. Eleven patients had latent TB. Eighteen patients received anti-tuberculous treatment. Final visual acuity was better than or equal to initial visual acuity in 14 out of 16 patients who completed at least 6 months of standard anti-tuberculous treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most patients with presumed intraocular TB have latent TB, but a significant minority has hitherto undetected active TB. Our series suggests that either proven or presumed intraocular TB occurs frequently in the absence of constitutional or respiratory symptoms, elevated inflammatory markers, or an abnormal chest radiograph. A minimum of 6 months standard anti-tuberculous treatment provides good visual outcomes in the majority of patients.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. manousaridis@googlemail.com
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Manousaridis
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Ong
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Stenton
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Gupta
authors: A C
authors: AC
authors: Browning
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Pandit
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D031300:Retinal Vasculitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014392:Tuberculosis, Ocular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D014605:Uveitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D014792:Visual Acuity; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D013256:Steroids