Purpose: To evaluate the clinical features and management of presumed ocular tuberculosis (OTB).
Method: A prospective 3-year follow-up study of patients with ocular inflammation that performed Interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) and tuberculin skin test (TST) was conducted in a tertiary referral center in Brazil. Patients with clinical signs highly suspect of OTB with a positive TST and/or IGRA with other causes ruled out were prescribed anti-tuberculosis therapy (ATT) during 9 months. Clinical features and treatment outcomes were recorded.
Results: Seventy-two patients (mean age 48.3 ± 15.7 years) were included in the study, and most were female (65.3%, n = 47). Posterior uveitis (43.1%, n = 31) was the main clinical feature. Multifocal choroiditis (25%, n = 18) was the most common choroidal involvement. Concomitant oral prednisone (45.8%, n = 33) during ATT was associated with more recurrences (p = 0.04). A significant difference (p < 0.001) between initial and final best-corrected visual acuity after ATT conclusion was observed. Cure or remission was observed in 58 (85.3%) patients that completed follow-up (n = 68).
Conclusion: In our cohort some variation in demographics and ocular phenotypes of presumed OTB was observed. The high rates of cure or remission of our patients strongly support the ATT in presumed OTB. Oral corticosteroids during ATT were associated with higher recurrences rates.
Keywords: Tuberculosis; interferon-gamma release assay; intraocular inflammation; ocular tuberculosis; uveitis.