Interest of Quantiferon®-tb Gold Test (cellestis) to Improve Etiologic and Therapeutic Work-Up in Uveitis

Abstract

Purpose: : To assess the usefulness of QuantiFERON®-TB Gold test (Cellestis) in patients with positive PPD (purified protein derivative) skin test for the etiologic and pre-therapeutic work-up of uveitis.

Results: : The mean age at the time of presentation was 56 years (+/- 2.2) and sex ratio (F/M) was 42%. Uveitis was bilateral in 42% of cases, and the location of inflammation was anterior in 35% of the cases, intermediate (23.5%), posterior (23.5%) or total (12%). One patient was referred for scleritis without ocular inflammation. The average of PPD test was 21.75mm (+/- 4mm) and minimal delay between PPD and quantiFERON®-TB Gold test was 3 days (mean: 42 days +/- 17). QuantiFERON®-TB Gold test was positive in 7 patients (58.3%) enjoining, after collaboration with internal medicine specialists, introduction of a full anti-tuberculosis therapeutic treatment in 6 patients (50%), that preceded oral steroids regimen in 33% of cases. Visual acuity increased dramatically (6 lines) in 3 patients and was unmodified for the others.

Keywords: clinical research methodology • uveitis-clinical/animal model