The clinical diagnosis of ocular TB is difficult. The manifestations in the eye are protean and can mimic other conditions. As such, the ophthalmologist relies on clinical history, systemic examination, and screening investigations such as chest radiographs and the tuberculin skin test (TST). A definite diagnosis of TB uveitis can be confirmed by performing acid-fast smears, mycobacterial cultures, or polymerase chain reaction-based assays on ocular fluid samples. The current clinical gold standard for diagnosing a presumed TB uveitis requires a positive TST and supportive clinical ocular findings.
New diagnostic tests for TB include interferon-γ release assays (IGRAs), such as the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT) (Cellestis Inc., Carnegie, Australia) and ELISpotPLUS (T-SPOT.TB, Oxford Immunotec, Abingdon, U.K.). The QFT is approved for use in the United States (Food and Drug Administration, 2007) and in many countries around the world. The role of IGRAs in the diagnosis of TB uveitis is not well studied. We examined the role of the new QFT in the diagnosis of TB uveitis using a novel approach in a TB-endemic, cosmopolitan population.
New diagnostic tests for TB include interferon-γ release assays (IGRAs), such as the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT) (Cellestis Inc., Carnegie, Australia) and ELISpotPLUS (T-SPOT.TB, Oxford Immunotec, Abingdon, U.K.). The QFT is approved for use in the United States (Food and Drug Administration, 2007) and in many countries around the world. The role of IGRAs in the diagnosis of TB uveitis is not well studied. We examined the role of the new QFT in the diagnosis of TB uveitis using a novel approach in a TB-endemic, cosmopolitan population.
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