Presumed ocular tuberculosis in an immuncompetent eight-year-old boy

Bukulmez A, Koken R, Melek H, Ozturk F, Konakci R, Dogru O
Correspondence: Dr Aysegul Bukulmez, aysegulbukulmez@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT
In recent years, tuberculosis has re-emerged as a serious public health problem, raising the possibility that tuberculous eye disease may also have become more prevalent. Ocular tuberculosis usually occurs in apparently healthy individuals. It is rarely observed in patients with active pulmonary disease. An eight-year-old boy was admitted to our department because of chronic granulomatous anterior uveitis on his left eye. His medical history was unremarkable. There were no systemic symptoms of tuberculosis. He had a positive purified protein derivative test reaction. In our case, the diagnosis of ocular tuberculosis was presumptive and depended upon indirect evidence. The patient was started on anti-tuberculosis therapy with three drugs, which were continued for 12 months, with complete healing of the ocular lesions, including a marked improvement in the gait of the patient. Tuberculosis remains one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in developing countries.

Keywords: chronic granulomatous anterior uveitis, ocular tuberculosis, tuberculosis, uveitis
Singapore Med J 2009; 50(3): e120-e123