Interferon Alpha-2a for the Treatment of Post-Infectious Uveitis Secondary to Presumed Intraocular Tuberculosis

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To assess the efficacy and tolerability of interferon (IFN) alpha-2a in post-infectious uveitis secondary to presumed intraocular tuberculosis (IOTB).

Methods: Patients with chronic uveitis secondary to presumed IOTB who, after completing an antitubercular treatment, showed poor response to treatments or recurred after tapering oral corticosteroids to ≤7.5 mg/day were enrolled. All patients were treated with IFN alpha-2a subcutaneous injections. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT), and inflammatory signs were compared between baseline and follow-up visits up to six months.

Results: Twelve eyes (six patients) were enrolled. Mean BCVA improved from 0.64 ± 0.55 logMAR at baseline to 0.32 ± 0.31 logMAR at 6 months (p = 0.03). Mean CRT decreased from 372 ± 132.2 μm to 274.66 ± 34.9 μm at six months (p = 0.01). Inflammatory signs (vitritis, vasculitis) also decreased overtime. No major complications or tuberculosis reactivations were recorded.

Conclusions: IFN alpha-2a was efficacious and safe in treating chronic post-infectious uveitis secondary to presumed IOTB.

Keywords:

• Infectious
• interferon
• therapy
• tuberculosis
• uveitis

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.