title: Disseminated nontuberculous mycobacterial infection with multifocal retinitis and vasculitis in an immunocompromised patient with anti-IFN-ɣ autoantibodies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are found ubiquitously in the environment. Since exposure to NTM is universal, infection likely represents underlying host susceptibility factors. Anti-IFN-ɣ autoantibodies have been described previously in patients with NTM. Up to 88 % of patients with disseminated NTM or other opportunistic infections have high-titer anti-IFN-ɣ autoantibodies, compared with 2 % of patients with TB and healthy controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We report a unique presentation of a patient with anti-IFN-ɣ autoantibodies with disseminated NTM infection who presents with panuveitis with multifocal retinitis and vasculitis. Treatment with systemic anti tubercular therapy resulted in complete clinical resolution with good visual recovery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with anti-IFN-ɣ autoantibodies present with a novel syndrome that links autoimmunity and immunodeficiency. This case emphasizes the importance of testing for anti-IFN-ɣ autoantibodies in patients with disseminated mycobacterial infection.
authors: National Healthcare Group Eye Institute, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, 308433, Singapore.
authors: Tian Loon
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8341-1723
authors: TL
authors: Lee
authors: National Healthcare Group Eye Institute, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, 308433, Singapore.
authors: Rupesh
authors: R
authors: Agrawal
authors: National Healthcare Group, Department of General Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.
authors: Jackie Yu-Ling
authors: JY
authors: Tan
authors: National Healthcare Group, Department of Haematology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.
authors: Kiat Hoe
authors: KH
authors: Ong
authors: National Healthcare Group, Department of Infectious Disease, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.
authors: Chen Seong
authors: CS
authors: Wong
authors: National Healthcare Group Eye Institute, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, 308433, Singapore. su_ling_ho@ttsh.com.sg.
authors: Su Ling
authors: SL
authors: Ho