By Health In Five Writer
In a rare and unusual case, a 21-year-old Yemeni woman was successfully treated for tuberculosis (TB) in the eyes (ocular TB). Generally, tuberculosis affects the lungs, but in this case, a team of doctors at Apollo Spectra Pune saved the vision of the patient as she had a rare TB in her eyes.
Miss Abida Mohamed (Name Changed) a resident of Yemen who is a lab technician student was jolted out of her usual routine due to a sudden fever and a massive weight loss of 14 kg spanning over 3 months. She felt extremely weak and was unable to do her daily activities with ease. She was treated for viral infections in local hospital several times. Her family members panicked and consulted various medicos in Yemen. they finally decided to fly to India to Apollo spectra hospital pune as her aunt was treated in past at same centre.
Dr Samrat Shah, Internal Medicine Expert, Apollo Spectra Pune said, “The patient came to us in Aug 2022 with complaints of weight loss and fever. Apart from this, she was all healthy. A detailed investigation to find out cause of weight loss was done and all reports came normal. And found no cause for weight loss. The patient was evaluated for genetic diseases and autoimmune diseases which came out negative. She was further sent for an eye check-up as one of the rare causes of weight loss is tuberculosis in the eyes. The eye examination showed the presence of multiple granulomas which can be seen in tuberculosis and genetic diseases. Hence TB skin test, TB assay and blood test for genetic disease were done and was tested positive for the tuberculosis.”
Ocular TB means infection by the M. Tuberculosis species can affect any part of the eye. Ocular TB may not be associated with clinical evidence of pulmonary (lung) TB; up to 60% of patients with evidence of extra-pulmonary TB (tb apart from lungs) may not have been diagnosed with pulmonary TB. Ocular TB may be an initial presentation of extra-pulmonary dissemination of infection( spread of infection to other organs like brain, lungs abdomen). Clinical manifestations of ocular TB vary, which poses a challenge for diagnosis. In general, blurred vision and light sensitivity are the most common symptoms and may be the only reported symptoms. Patients can also be asymptomatic or have other complaints, such as headaches, flashes, floaters, or redness of the eye. Ocular TB without symptoms is seen in 1% of affected cases.
“The patient started on medication for the same and was sent back to Yemen. Patient was put on medications as per tb protocol and was explained about side effects of medicines. Patient is at regular follow up with Dr by telemedicine consultation and in co ordination with local doctors for the treatment. As patient was diagnosed early, tb was restricted to eyes and didn’t not land up with disseminated tb. The patient came back to India after 3 months and gained 8kg weight and had no fever for the last 2.5 months. Hence Weight loss is a significant complain and should be an alarm to look for hidden diseases, so consult your doctor at earliest to avoid complications?”, highlighted Dr Shah.
“I was extremely worried as I kept losing weight. I grew pale and couldn’t concentrate on my daily activities. I was fatigued all the time. To top it all, I also had a high fever. After coming to India, I was promptly diagnosed by the team of doctors at Apollo Spectra, Pune. My world came crashing down when I came to know about TB in my eyes. I was shocked to hear this. I was aware that TB affects the lungs but didn’t know about the eyes. I was scared and didn’t understand how to react. What if TB robs my vision? Will I be able to see properly? These were some of the questions that bothered me. But, the skilled team of doctors cleared all my doubts and helped to recover from the unknown entity. I thank the doctors for the correct diagnosis and treatment. I am fine now and have resumed my normal routine,” concluded Patient Abida Mohamed.
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