Development and evaluation of multiplex real-time PCR for diagnosis of HSV-1, VZV, CMV, and Toxoplasma gondii in patients with infectious uveitis

摘要

Abstract Infectious uveitis is a vision threatening inflammatory ocular disease wherein early diagnosis may prevent the loss of vision. The purpose of this study was to develop a multiplex real-time PCR for the diagnosis of Herpes simplex virus-1, Varicella zoster virus, cytomegalovirus and Toxoplasma gondii in patients with suspected infectious uveitis. A total of 126 intraocular samples (aqueous and vitreous humor) were collected and subjected to multiplex real-time PCR. Overall 26.2% (33/126) patients were found to be positive for one or more of the pathogens tested. The overall positivity for VZV, HSV, CMV and T. gondii was found to be 16 (12.7%), 7 (5.6%), 5 (3.9%), and 9 (7.1%); with mean pathogen load of 5.07×10 5 , 9.5×10 4 , 1.08×10 4 and 394 (copies/μl) respectively. The development of highly sensitive and specific assay for early differentiation of pathogens is important for the early initiation of treatment thereby preventing irreversible damage to the ocular structures. Highlights ? Infectious uveitis requires early and precise diagnosis. ? In-house multiplex real-time PCR was developed for the diagnosis of HSV-1, VZV, CMV and T. gondii. ? Overall 26.2% (126 of 33) patients were found to be positive, with higher positivity for VZV 12.7% (16/126). ? Early diagnosis using in house multiplex real-time PCR can be helpful in early treatment initiation thereby preventing the vision loss. ]]>