PURPOSE: To study infectious agents associated with multifocal serpiginoid choroiditis (MSC) based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) evaluation and specific anti-microbial therapy. METHODS: Retrospective review of medical records. RESULTS: Thirteen patients with MSC were evaluated with PCR for the following organisms: Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV 1), varicella zoster virus (VZV), and cytomegalovirus (CMV). Nine (69.2%) were PCR positive for one or more organisms. Seven (53.8%) were positive for MTB, 3 (23.1%) for CMV (1 positive for both MTB and CMV), and 1 (7.6%) for both HSV 1 and MTB. All 13 patients received anti-TB therapy and corticosteroids. Nine patients completed 6 months follow-up; 6 resolved completely, 2 continued to have active lesions, while 1 CMV PCR-positive patient required additional valgancyclovir therapy. CONCLUSIONS: TB is the most important etiology for MSC in endemic countries. The role of herpes viruses in MSC remains unclear and needs further investigation.
PURPOSE: To study infectious agents associated with multifocal serpiginoid choroiditis (MSC) based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) evaluation and specific anti-microbial therapy. METHODS: Retrospective review of medical records. RESULTS: Thirteen patients with MSC were evaluated with PCR for the following organisms: Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV 1), varicella zoster virus (VZV), and cytomegalovirus (CMV). Nine (69.2%) were PCR positive for one or more organisms. Seven (53.8%) were positive for MTB, 3 (23.1%) for CMV (1 positive for both MTB and CMV), and 1 (7.6%) for both HSV 1 and MTB. All 13 patients received anti-TB therapy and corticosteroids. Nine patients completed 6 months follow-up; 6 resolved completely, 2 continued to have active lesions, while 1 CMV PCR-positive patient required additional valgancyclovir therapy. CONCLUSIONS:TB is the most important etiology for MSC in endemic countries. The role of herpes viruses in MSC remains unclear and needs further investigation.