Ocular Tuberculosis: More than ‘Of Mice and Men’

ABSTRACT

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by infection with members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis-complex, is one of the oldest known infectious disease entities, resulting in the death of millions of humans each year. It also results in a substantial degree of morbidity and mortality in animal species. Extrapulmonary TB is well recognized in humans, and the eye is one site that can be affected. Studies seeking to understand ocular TB have often relied on animal models; however, these have their limitations and may not truly reflect what happens in humans. We wish to raise awareness among ophthalmologists and vision scientists of naturally occurring cases of ocular TB in animals, namely cattle and domestic cats, and the possibilities of gaining further understanding of this presentation of TB by adopting a collaborative approach. This will hopefully improve outcomes for both human and animal patients.

KEYWORDS:

• Ocular
• tuberculosis
• zoonosis
• uveitis
• feline
• bovine

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Dr Emma Scurrell for providing tissue samples and histopathological interpretation, Dr Jo Moore and Professor Sheila Crispin for their clinical input and advice and the veterinary staff, owners and pets who have contributed to ongoing research into mycobacterial disease at The University of Edinburgh.

Disclosure of Interest

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

Jordan Mitchell is supported by a Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) studentship (BB/M010996/1). Jayne Hope is funded by BBSRC Institute Strategic Programme funding (BB/P013740/1 & BBS/E/D/20002174).