Ocular tuberculosis : A case series

• Published in: La revue de medecine interne Vol. 39; no. 5; pp. 326 - 331
• Main Authors: Koubaa, M, Smaoui, F, Gargouri, S, Ben Ayed, H, Rekik, K, Abid, I, Maaloul, I, Feki, J, Marrakchi, C, Ben Jemaa, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: France 01.05.2018
• Subjects: Tuberculosis; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Uvéite; Uveitis; Antituberculeux; Tuberculose; Retinalvasculitis; Vascularite rétinienne; Mycobacteriumtuberculosis; Antitubercularagents
• ISSN: 1768-3122
• DOI: 10.1016/j.revmed.2018.02.014

Ocular tuberculosis is a rare form of extra pulmonary tuberculosis. It represents 1-2% of all clinical forms. The aim of this work was to focus on diagnostic and therapeutic characteristics of ocular tuberculosis. We report a case series of 14 patients with ocular tuberculosis seen in an infectious diseases department between 2006 and 2015. The diagnosis was retained on clinical data and a positive tuberculin skin test or interferon-gamma release assay. The patient's mean age was 40.7±9years. The most common clinical presentation was uveitis (11 patients and 16 eyes). An extra ocular involvement was associated in three patients. The mean duration of antitubercular therapy was 10±2.5 months. Corticosteroid therapy was associated in 11 cases. The outcome was favorable in all cases. Two patients had maintained visual sequelae. Ocular tuberculosis is a rare disease but still remains a diagnostic problem. It should be considered in case of any chronic ocular symptoms, especially in endemic countries. Early management can improve the visual prognosis.