Metagenomic analysis of the vitreous microbiome in sarcoidosis-associated uveitis

Sarcoidosis-associated uveitis has traditionally been regarded as a non-infectious inflammatory condition involving sterile intraocular inflammation. However, emerging evidence challenges this paradigm, suggesting possible microbial involvement. This prospective cohort study aims to investigate the composition of the vitreous microbiome in patients with sarcoidosis-related uveitis using next-generation metagenomic sequencing. Vitreous fluid samples were collected from patients diagnosed with sarcoidosis-associated uveitis and compared with control samples taken from patients with non-inflammatory ocular conditions, such as macular holes and epiretinal membranes. Our data provide the first evidence of distinct bacterial communities within the vitreous humour of sarcoidosis patients, offering new insights into the microbial aetiology of ocular inflammation. These findings could be important for diagnosis, understanding disease pathogenesis and guiding targeted antimicrobial therapeutic strategies.