Laboratory support in the diagnosis of uveitis

Abstract

Intraocular inflammations are still a diagnostic challenge for ophthalmologists. It is often difficult to make a precise etiological diagnosis in certain situations. Recently, there have been several advances in the investigations of uveitis, which has helped the ophthalmologists a lot in the management of such clinical conditions. A tailored approach to laboratory diagnosis of uveitic cases should be directed by the history, patient's symptoms and signs, and clinical examination. This review summarizes various modalities of laboratory investigations and their role in the diagnosis of uveitis.

Screening for common eye diseases in the elderly with Optos ultra-wide-field scanning laser ophthalmoscopy: a pilot study with focus on ocular toxoplasmosis

“…Necrotizing retinochoroiditis is considered the hallmark presentation of OT. It is so characteristic that in the clinical routine no further laboratory workup is required since the diagnosis is made on a clinical basis [ 20 ]. Interestingly, more than 70% of OT patients visiting an ophthalmic center in the Netherlands presented with a combination of an active lesion and a healed retinal scar [ 21 ].…”

Medical and Surgical Retina - Recent Innovation, New Perspective, and Applications

“…Dark-field microscopy directly visualizes T. pallidum by investigation of clinical samples (exudates from chancres, condylomata lata, lymph node aspirates, etc.) [102]. The sensitivity and specificity of dark-field microscopy are approximately 90% and 100%, respectively [103].…”

“…They applied endolaser and diathermy in a circular pattern around a 2-disc diameter area of the retina and using a bimanual approach with vertical scissors and forceps obtained a retinal free flap. Instillation of perfluoro-noctane heavy liquid over the flap was followed by a direct PFC-silicone oil exchange [98][99][100][101][102].…”

Infectious uveitis: An enigma

“…[ 13 ] An acute T. gondii infection can be demonstrated by detection of specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) or IgA antibodies, or both, in the blood. [ 14 ] IgM usually appears in the 1 st week after infection, peaks at 1 month, and disappears after 9 months. The demonstration of local synthesis of specific antibodies is a valuable diagnostic tool in ocular toxoplasmosis.…”

“…[ 26 ] Serological testing can be divided into two groups: nontreponemal tests, which detect nonspecific treponemal antibody (e.g., venereal diseases research laboratory test, rapid plasma reagin test), and treponemal tests, which detect specific treponemal antibody (e.g., T. pallidum hemagglutination assay and fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorbed). [ 14 ] Nontreponemal tests are nonspecific and may yield false positive results due to cross-reactivity. They are usually used as screening tests for syphilis and can be used to monitor disease activity and efficacy of treatment.…”