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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
The value of routine polymerase chain reaction analysis of intraocular fluid specimens in the diagnosis of infectious posterior Uveitis
The Scientific World Journal, Volume 2013, Article 545149, Year 2013
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Description
Objective. To assess the value of routine polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis on intraocular fluid from patients presenting with a first episode of suspected active infectious posterior uveitis in a population with a high prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus infection. Design. Retrospective, interventional case series. Participants. 159 consecutive patients presenting at a tertiary care hospital over a five-year period. Methods. PCR analysis was performed for cytomegalovirus, varicella zoster virus, herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, Toxoplasma gondii, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Results. PCR analysis confirmed the initial clinical diagnosis in 55 patients (35%) and altered the initial clinical diagnosis in 36 patients (23%). The clinical diagnosis prior to PCR testing was nonspecific (uncertain) in 51 patients (32%), with PCR providing a definitive final diagnosis in 20 of these patients (39%); necrotizing herpetic retinopathy and ocular toxoplasmosis were particularly difficult to diagnose correctly without the use of PCR analysis. Conclusion. The clinical phenotype alone was unreliable in diagnosing the underlying infectious cause in a quarter of patients in this study. Since the outcome of incorrectly treated infective uveitis can be blinding, PCR analysis of ocular fluids is recommended early in the disease even in resource poor settings. © 2013 Marius A. Scheepers et al.
Authors & Co-Authors
Scheepers, Marius A.
South Africa, Observatory
Groote Schuur Hospital
Lecuona, Karin A.
South Africa, Observatory
Groote Schuur Hospital
Rogers, Graeme
South Africa, Observatory
Groote Schuur Hospital
Bunce, Catey
United Kingdom, London
Moorfields Eye Hospital Nhs Foundation Trust
Corcoran, Craig
South Africa, Observatory
Groote Schuur Hospital
Michaelides, Michel
United Kingdom, London
Moorfields Eye Hospital Nhs Foundation Trust
Statistics
Citations: 42
Authors: 6
Affiliations: 2
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1155/2013/545149
e-ISSN:
1537744X
Research Areas
Health System And Policy
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Cohort Study