Patterns of uveitis in children presenting at a tertiary eye care centre in south India.

PURPOSE: To study the patterns of uveitis in the paediatric age group in a referral eye care centre in south India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one patients 15 years or younger with uveitis, examined in the year 2000, were included in this study. The uveitis was classified according to the anatomical site of ocular involvement and the most probable aetiological factor. The final diagnosis was based on clinical manifestations and results of specific laboratory investigations. RESULTS: A total 31 (6.29%) paediatric uveitis cases were seen among the 493 uveitic cases in the year 2000. The male:female ratio was 17:14. Anterior (9 cases), intermediate (9 cases) and posterior uveitis (9 cases) were seen in equal number. Four patients had panuveitis. Twenty-seven patients had visual acuity of 6/36 or better at presentation. Approximately 25% (8 of 31) patients had cataract secondary to inflammation. Immunosuppressives were administered in 4 patients and one patient required cataract surgery. CONCLUSION: Uveitis in children comprises approximately 6% of uveitis cases in a referral practice in south India. Anterior, intermediate and posterior uveitis are seen in equal numbers. We recommend that intermediate uveitis be ruled out in all cases of anterior uveitis by careful clinical evaluation including examination under anesthesia (EUA) when required.

Darkfield microscopic (DFM) and serologic evidences for leptospiral infection in panuveitis cases.

186 out of 226 (82%) panuveitis cases showed the presence of leptospira in their blood samples by dark field microscopy. 75% cases were found positive for leptospira after low speed centrifugation and an additional 7% became positive after high speed centrifugation. Leptospirosis was four times more common in males than in females. The disease was more prevalent in the age group of 15 to 54 years. MAT was performed in 23 cases of which 9 were positive. ELISA was performed in 20 cases of which 9 were positive. DFM was positive in 19 out of these 23 cases. MAT, ELISA and DFM were positive in six cases. Highest antibody titre was found due to L. autumalis alone in two cases, L. autumnalis, and L. pomona in one case, L. bharathy in one case, L. lanka alone in one case and L. pomona one in one case. DFM was found to be more sensitive in a smal number of cases and hence DFM needs further evaluation by other workers in this field.