devR PCR for the Diagnosis of Intraocular Tuberculosis

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the efficacy of devR and MPB64 PCR in the diagnosis of intraocular tuberculosis.

Methods: Prospective, nonrandomized study. Seventy-five patients were enrolled in 3 groups. Group A had 25 patients with presumed intraocular tubercular uveitis, group B had 25 controls with specific uveitis other than tubercular uveitis, and group C included 25 non-uveitic negative controls. The undiluted vitreous/aqueous samples were collected and subjected to PCR assay for devR and MPB64 gene sequence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) to detect sensitivity and specificity.

Results: devR PCR was positive in 16 (64%) out of 25 patients with presumed tubercular uveitis. MPB64 PCR was positive in 18 (72%) out of 25 patients with presumed tubercular uveitis. The sensitivity and specificity of devR were 64 and 100%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of MPB64 PCR were 72 and 100%, respectively.

Conclusion: devR PCR is not a better tool than MPB64 PCR for diagnosing intraocular tuberculosis.

• devR PCR
• MPB64 PCR
• polymerase chain reaction
• retinal vasculitis
• tubercular vasculitis

Declaration of interest

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