Culture and Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) Proven Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Endophthalmitis: A Case Series

Ekta Rishi, Pukhraj Rishi, K. Lily Therese, Gayathri Ramasubban, Jyotirmay Biswas, Tarun Sharma, Pramod Bhende, Pradeep Susvar, Mamta Agarwal, Amala Elizabeth George, Kushal Delhiwala, Vishal Rajan Sharma

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: To report early confirmation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) endophthalmitis by detection of 85B mRNA in vitreous by a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique. Methods: Retrospective, interventional case series of 5 patients with MTB endogenous endophthalmitis. Vitreous aspirate was subjected to Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining, BACTEC MicroMGIT culture, RT-PCR targeting the 85B gene, real-time PCR targeting the IS6110 region, and nested PCR targeting the MPB64 gene and IS6110 region. Correlation between detection of MTB RNA, culture positivity, and ZN staining was studied. Results: Five patients with endophthalmitis with no history of tuberculosis revealed acid-fast bacilli on ZN staining of vitreous. RT-PCR detected 85B RNA within 24 h. Culture for MTB was positive in 3/5 patients after 1 month. None of the eyes recovered any useful vision. Conclusions: RT-PCR can detect viable MTB RNA and provide evidence of active infection much earlier than culture.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)220-227
Number of pages8
JournalOcular Immunology and Inflammation
Volume26
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 17 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Acid fast bacilli
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis
  • RT-PCR
  • endophthalmitis
  • vitrectomy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Ophthalmology

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