Ocular tuberculosis – a case series

<b>Introduction:</b> Ocular tuberculosis (OTB) is a rare mycobacterial infection that can cause a potential treatable vision loss. The vast differential diagnosis of this type of ocular disease can delay the suspicion of tuberculosis (TB). We aimed to characterize an OTB case series. <b>Methods:</b> Retrospective study of the OTB cases followed at our Tuberculosis Centre, between 2015 and 2019. We collected data of demographics, diagnosis, treatment and outcomes. A statistical analysis was performed. <b>Results:</b> Accounting for 3.4% of all active TB cases of our centre there were 59 cases of possible OTB. 51% were men and the mean age was 53 (SD± 15) years. The majority of patients (47%) presented with a refractory uveitis; 14% with coroiditis, 14% with Eales disease, 7% with episcleritis and the remaining had other specific presentations. The distribution was bilateral in 56% of patients. There were 9 patients with diabetes and 1 with primary biliary cirrhosis, but no patients were treated with immunosuppressive therapies previously. All patients had a positive IGRA and/or tuberculin skin test, none had cultural confirmation. Four patients had previously been treated for TB. 23 (56%) had radiological lung sequelae. The treatment duration was variable: 6 months (19 patients), 9 months (21 patients), 12 months (11 patients) and other (8 patients). 11 patients had side effects that led to temporarily stopping treatment. 2 patients abandoned treatment. Most patients (89%) revealed at least stabilization and only 2 had a presumed OTB relapse, completing a second treatment. <b>Conclusion:</b> We underline the importance of TB suspicion. We report that the majority of treated OTB patients had at least clinical stabilization with antituberculostatic with scarce side effects.