Diagnostic and therapeutic impact of PCR in uveitis: real-world data from intraocular fluid analysis of 45…

Cohort studyBMC ophthalmology· Jun 2026

Diagnostic and therapeutic impact of PCR in uveitis: real-world data from intraocular fluid analysis of 45 uveitis patients in a tertiary referral center in Turkey.

Nilüfer Zorlutuna Kaymak, İpek Pekel, Serap Demir Tekol … Burak Tanyıldız

UveitisCohort studyDiagnosisQ2IF 2.2

Polymerase chain reaction-negative uveitis patients had much higher odds of needing diagnosis or treatment changes

Diagnostic and therapeutic impact of PCR in uveitis: real-world data from intraocular fluid analysis of 45 uveitis patients in a tertiary referral center in Turkey.

Nilüfer Zorlutuna Kaymak … Burak Tanyıldız

BMC ophthalmology · Jun 2026 · Q2 in Ophthalmology

Purpose

To evaluate the diagnostic utility and real-world clinical impact of polymerase chain reaction (polymerase chain reaction) analysis of aqueous humor (aqueous humor) and vitreous samples in patients with uveitis including suspected infectious and mixed (infectious/non-infectious) etiologies.

Methods

A retrospective review was conducted on 45 eyes of 45 patients with uveitis.

n = 45 eyes

Results

Polymerase chain reaction-negative results made changing the diagnosis or treatment far more likely

OR 21 (95% CI 2.40 to 182)

CI excludes the null - significant

More results

The mean patient age was 47.4 ± 17.3 years, and 51.1% of the patients were female; 28.9% were immunosuppressed.

Overall polymerase chain reaction positivity was 42.2% (19/45).

Polymerase chain reaction analysis led to diagnostic revision in 33.3% (15/45) of patients and influenced clinical management decisions in 80.0% of cases.

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Conclusion · 1 of 3

Polymerase chain reaction analysis of intraocular fluids provides meaningful diagnostic value in the evaluation of uveitis.

Conclusion · 2 of 3

Both positive and negative results inform clinical decision-making by guiding diagnostic revision and supporting appropriate management strategies.

Conclusion · 3 of 3

These findings provide region-specific epidemiological data and reinforce intraocular polymerase chain reaction as a key adjunct in complex uveitis cases where clinical features alone are insufficient.

Diagnostic and therapeutic impact of PCR in uveitis: real-world data from intraocular fluid analysis of 45 uveitis patients in a tertiary referral center in Turkey.

Diagnostic and therapeutic impact of PCR in uveitis: real-world data from intraocular fluid analysis of 45 uveitis patients in a tertiary referral center in Turkey.

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