[Detection of atypical mycobacterial endophthalmitis by PCR]

We report a case of a 60 year old male who presented with a therapy resistant endophthalmitis which led to an evisceratio bulbi. Histologically, a granulomatous inflammation was present, in which acid-fast bacilli could not be detected. Molecular genetic examination by means of polymerase-chain-reaction technique (PCR) of the routinely processed tissue material revealed the diagnosis of an atypical mycobacterial infection, because DNA specific for atypical mycobacteria was detected. This example shows that PCR technique provides a useful tool in the diagnosis of mycobacterial infections as an adjunct to surgical pathology.