Clinical profile of uveitis in Hansen’s disease after completion of treatment – A study of 50 cases using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) on aqueous humour
Journal Title: International Journal of Medical Research & Health Sciences (IJMRHS) - Year 2016, Vol 5, Issue 5
Abstract
Chronic low grade anterior uveitis is the commonest cause of blindness in leprosy. It is usually asymptomatic until the late stages and patients seek help only after irreversible visual loss. We analysed patients who had a recurrence of uveitis after completion of treatment with anti-leprosy drugs and had been proven as histopathologically negative. The presence of chronic uveitis, complications and the extent of ocular damage it may cause, can continue even after treatment, emphasising the importance of follow-up, early detection and treatment. This is a prospective cohort study. Ophthalmic evaluation was performed using slit lamp examination, biomicroscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy, applanation tonometry, corneal sensation and Schirmer’s test. Split skin microscopy was done to confirm the activity of leprosy. In patients with recalcitrant iridocyclitis, anterior chamber paracentesis was performed. The sample was analysed both by smear and polymerase chain reaction. The sequences that were targeted using PCR included genes encoding the DNA of 36-kDa antigen, 18-kDa antigen, 65-kDa antigen and the repetitive sequences among other M. leprae genes. Aqueous aspirate showed copies of mycobacterium leprae DNA in five out of twelve patients with recalcitrant anterior uveitis. Direct smear and staining with Ziehl- Neelson staining for mycobacteria was positive showing both live and dead bacilli. Live bacilli can persist in the aqueous humour even after completion of treatment. In our study this was more frequently observed in tuberculoid leprosy. This is possibly due to an immune mediated response combined with inadequate treatment dose in these patients.
Authors and Affiliations
Radha Annamalai| Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, India, Samuel Cornelius Gnanadurai| Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Sri Ramachandra University, Porur Chennai-600116, Muthayya Muthukumar| Professor of Ophthalmology, Sri Ramachandra University, Porurو Corresponding E-mail: doctormuthayya@gmail.com
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP11653
- DOI -
- Views 277
- Downloads 12
A Comparison between Anxiety and Self-esteem amongst High School Freshman Students(Male and Female) with Amblyopia in Gachsaran in 2015
The present research intends to investigate and compare the relationship between anxiety and self-esteem amongst high school freshman students (male and female) with Amblyopia in Gachsaran city. To this end, all the mal...
Effect of music therapy and reflexology on pain in unconscious patients: A randomized clinical trial
The current study was conducted to compare the effect of music and foot reflexology on pain intensity in patients with loss of consciousness. Pain is the common phenomenon among the patients in Intensive Care Unit and c...
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN BODY MASS INDEX OF MOTHER AND ANTHROPOMETRY OF NEWBORN
Introduction: Maternal body dimensions are the first determinants of neonatal biometrics, especially their birth weight and length. Mother’s nutritional status is also known to be a key indicator of infant’s body d...
A STUDY TO ASSESS INJECTION PRACTICES IN CIVIL DISPENSARIES
Background: About 16 billion injections are administered each year worldwide, and at least half of them are unsafe. India contributes 25-30% of the global injection load. A majority of curative injections are unnecessar...
REPARATIVE OSTEOGENESIS DURING TREATMENT OF FRACTURE UNDER TRANSOSSEOUS OSTEOSYNTHESIS AND INTRAMEDULLARY INSERTION OF WIRES WITH HYDROXYAPATITE COATING
Background: The problem of improving medical care for patients with the locomotor system injuries is very important especially last time. Material and Methods: Canine open comminuted tibial fractures modelled experimen...