Real-time and nested polymerase chain reaction in the diagnosis of multifocal serpiginoid choroiditis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis - a case report

Serpiginous choroiditis (SC) is used to describe a bilateral chronic recurrent geographic pattern of choroiditis that typically extends from the peripapillary area and affects the overlying retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and outer retina [1]. Autoimmune [2], infective [3], vascular, and degenerative mechanisms have all been proposed in its etiopathogenesis. The infectious type of SC is mostly commonly associated with tuberculosis (TB). Other causes include herpes viruses, syphilis, fungi, and toxoplasma [4]. Recently, Nazari and Rao [4] proposed the term multifocal serpiginoid choroiditis (MSC) for the infective variant of SC to distinguish it from typical SC.

A study of MSC patients with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) by Mohan et al. [5] concluded that Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTb) (53.8 %) was the most common and important etiologic agent for MSC in TB endemic areas. One of the drawbacks of their study was that DNA copy numbers were not assessed by real-time PCR (RT-PCR). Annamalai et al. [6] used RT-PCR in 29 cases of typical SC and demonstrated MTb DNA in only 1 case, thus concluding a chance/rare association of TB with SC. In this series, nested PCR (N-PCR) was not performed in the positive case.

Herein, we report a case of MSC which was proved to be caused by MTb by both RT-PCR and N-PCR. To our knowledge, this is the first case report where both RT-PCR and nested PCR were used to show an association between TB and MSC.

A 31-year-old male from Central India presented with a history of painless progressive diminution of vision (DOV) with floaters since 3 months in his right eye (RE). He was treated elsewhere with a short course of oral steroid over 1 month. Since 6 days, he noticed a further drop in his RE vision and was referred to us. He also had a similar history of sudden DOV in his left eye (LE) which was untreated and has been constant since 3 years. He had a family history of TB with both of his parents treated for the same.

On examination, the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in the RE was 3/60 (20/400), <N36, and in the LE was counting fingers close to face (CFCF), <N36 for distance and near, respectively. Anterior segment and intraocular pressures were normal in both eyes (BE). Fundus evaluation of the RE showed multiple discrete areas of active choroiditis amidst areas of chorioretinal atrophic (CRA) scars and vitritis grade 2 (Figure 1). The LE showed occasional vitreous cells and multiple healed CRA scars all over the fundus with subretinal fibrosis involving the macula (Figure 2). High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) chest showed tiny multiple mediastinal adenopathy suggestive of TB. Quanti-FERON TB gold test (Cellestis Limited, Carnegie, Victoria, Australia) was positive. Rapid plasma reagin and Treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay were negative. These features were suggestive of MSC secondary to TB in BE with reactivation in the RE. The etiological diagnosis was confirmed by positive N-PCR (Figure 3) and RT-PCR report of aqueous specimen (Additional file 1). After a physician clearance, the patient was advised a 9-month course of antitubercular therapy (ATT) with a tapering course of oral steroids over 6 weeks. At his last follow-up, at 4 months after initiating ATT, his right eye had a BCVA of 20/125 (6/36) with healed chorioretinal scars (Figure 4 and Figure 5).

This case report demonstrates both RT and N-PCR positivity in a case of MSC, establishing tuberculous etiology conclusively. It justifies the use of ATT in MSC patients with a PCR-confirmed MTb report. Under ATT cover, the patient's RE healed better than the LE with fewer chorioretinal scars and a better visual acuity (20/125 versus CFCF). Not only is ATT the definitive and specific treatment in these cases, but it also prevents recurrence of uveitic attacks [7].

RT-PCR can detect, amplify, and quantify the bacillary load in real time thus giving an idea about the disease severity. Serial monitoring of RT-PCR after starting treatment may show reduced number of DNA copies, thus indicating a beneficial response to therapy. In this case, however, due to ethical, logistical, and lack of patient's consent, we could not repeat RT-PCR during the follow-up visits. Hence, we could not correlate RT-PCR with disease severity or treatment response to ATT. Properly designed prospective studies may demonstrate this correlation.

Nested PCR [8] is a modification of conventional PCR intended to reduce contaminations in products due to amplification of unexpected primer binding sites. RT-PCR is much more expensive and complicated as compared to N-PCR. Hence, N-PCR could be useful initially in establishing the etiological diagnosis and then following it up with RT-PCR later to assess the treatment response. Further studies may help in incorporating PCR (wherever feasible) in the local practice guidelines before prescribing ATT for the MSC cases. This may limit the unwarranted use of ATT and its side effects in non-tuberculous choroiditis.

However, a negative PCR from anterior chamber (AC) tap theoretically cannot rule out tuberculous etiology in MSC as AC tap may often be negative as compared to vitreous tap in posterior segment inflammation. A large prospective study is needed to determine the sensitivity and specificity of AC tap.