Article
Ophthalmology
Colin Bacorn, Kieu-Yen Luu, Jennifer Y. Li
Summary: This study investigated the characteristics of the potassium hydroxide/calcofluor white (KOH-CFW) preparation in a region with low incidence of fungal keratitis. The results showed that the sensitivity and specificity of the KOH-CFW test were lower than previously reported values. In regions with low incidence of fungal keratitis, the diagnostic performance of the KOH-CFW preparation may be similar to that of the clinical impression formed only on the basis of history and physical examination.
Article
Ophthalmology
Quintin R. Richardson, Lalitha Prajna, Shanmugam Elakkiya, Fathima Sulthana Kamal, Maya Talbott, Namperumalsamy Venkatesh Prajna, Revathi Rajaraman, Vicky Cevallos, Gerami D. Seitzman, Thomas M. Lietman, Jeremy D. Keenan
Summary: This study found no significant differences in antiamoebic susceptibility of Acanthamoeba keratitis clinical isolates between India and the United States, indicating that differential outcomes in Acanthamoeba keratitis between the two locations are not likely due to differences in antiamoebic susceptibility.
Article
Ophthalmology
Mohammad Soleimani, Seyyed Ali Tabatabaei, Ahmad Masoumi, Reza Mirshahi, Hossein Ghahvechian, Fereshteh Tayebi, Bita Momenaei, Zahra Mahdizad, S. Saeed Mohammadi
Summary: The study revealed an increasing prevalence of gram positive bacteria and a decrease in Pseudomonas keratitis over time. Levofloxacin showed good sensitivity against gram negative organisms, but resistance in staphylococci increased over the years, suggesting a combination of fortified antibiotics may be more effective in treating staphylococcal keratitis.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Paola Gilsanz, Elizabeth Rose Mayeda, Chloe W. Eng, Oanh L. Meyer, M. Maria Glymour, Charles P. Quesenberry, Rachel A. Whitmer
Summary: This study found that higher levels of participant's own education were associated with lower dementia risk regardless of spousal education in a large cohort at Kaiser Permanente Northern California. An inverse association between spousal education and dementia risk was also present, however, the effects became non-significant after adjusting for participant education.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jeremy J. Hoffman, Reena Yadav, Sandip Das Sanyam, Pankaj Chaudhary, Abhishek Roshan, Sanjay K. Singh, Sailesh K. Mishra, Simon Arunga, Victor H. Hu, David Macleod, Astrid Leck, Matthew J. Burton
Summary: This study describes the health-seeking journey for patients with microbial keratitis in Nepal and identifies factors associated with delay.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Valencia Hui Xian Foo, Jodhbir Mehta, Anita Sook Yee Chan, Hon Shing Ong
Summary: This case series describes peripheral ulcerative keratitis (PUK) as a paraneoplastic condition in three patients with known systemic solid tumor malignancies. The patients responded well to topical steroids and intravenous methylprednisolone, but one patient experienced recurrences and required additional treatments.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
Florian Cohen, Eric Ernest Gabison, Sophie Stephan, Rakiba Belkhir, Gaetane Nocturne, Anne-Laurence Best, Oscar Haigh, Emmanuel Barreau, Marc Labetoulle, Raphaele Seror, Antoine Rousseau
Summary: This study reported a case series of PUK in RA patients treated with TCZ, discussing the clinical features and treatment outcomes. PUK was controlled in all patients with local and systemic treatments, and reintroduction of TCZ in some patients did not lead to PUK recurrence.
Article
Ophthalmology
Alexa R. Thibodeau, Leslie M. Niziol, Bradford L. Tannen, Dena Ballouz, Maria A. Woodward
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the rates of opioid prescription for different types of ulcerative keratitis. The results showed that patients with acanthamoeba, fungal, and polymicrobial keratitis were more likely to be prescribed opioids compared to those with bacterial, viral, or unspecified keratitis. The quantity of opioid prescribed within 90 days of diagnosis did not significantly differ between ulcerative keratitis types. This study highlights the importance of characterizing pain and developing tailored pain management strategies for patients with ulcerative keratitis.
Article
Ophthalmology
Ning Hung, Eugene Yu-Chuan Kang, Tay-Wey Lee, Tien-Hsing Chen, Yu-Chiau Shyu, Chi-Chin Sun
Summary: Patients with aqueous-deficient dry eye disease in Taiwan have a higher risk of corneal surface damage, especially in those aged < 18 years and in women. Comorbidities such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus are associated with increased risk of corneal surface damage in patients with dry eye disease.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Yuheng Zhang, Xizhan Xu, Zhenyu Wei, Kai Cao, Zijun Zhang, Qingfeng Liang
Summary: Acanthamoeba keratitis is a rare parasitic infection of the cornea that can lead to permanent blindness if not diagnosed and treated promptly. The annual incidence of Acanthamoeba keratitis was calculated to be 23,561 cases, with the lowest rates in Tunisia and Belgium, and the highest in India. Analysis of Acanthamoeba sequences revealed multiple genotypes, with T4 being the most prevalent. Early diagnosis through staining, PCR, or in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) is crucial for prognosis, with IVCM being the most recommended approach.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Letter
Ophthalmology
Anahita Kate, Bhupesh Bagga, Lalit K. Ahirwar, Dilip K. Mishra, Savitri Sharma
Summary: This case report presents a rare manifestation of Pythium insidiosum keratitis as peripheral ulcerative keratitis in a 54-year-old male patient. Despite initial treatment with antibiotics, the condition worsened, leading to therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty.
OCULAR IMMUNOLOGY AND INFLAMMATION
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Jeremy J. Hoffman, Matthew J. Burton, Astrid Leck
Summary: Mycotic or fungal keratitis is a sight-threatening disease caused by infection of the cornea by filamentous fungi or yeasts. In tropical and some low-income countries, it accounts for the majority of cases of microbial keratitis. Trauma with organic plant-based material is the predominant risk factor for filamentous fungal keratitis.
Review
Ophthalmology
Yogita Gupta, Alisha Kishore, Pooja Kumari, Neelima Balakrishnan, Neiwete Lomi, Noopur Gupta, M. Vanathi, Radhika Tandon
Summary: Peripheral ulcerative keratitis (PUK) is an inflammatory condition of the peripheral cornea caused by host autoimmunity, the unique anatomical and physiological features of the peripheral cornea, and environmental factors. Diagnosing the specific cause requires a thorough clinical workup, and management by a team of specialists and careful use of immunosuppressive agents can lead to positive outcomes.
SURVEY OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nadia N. Abuelezam, Abdulrahman El-Sayed, Sandro Galea, Nancy P. Gordon
Summary: The study compared health risk factors, chronic health conditions, and mental health conditions of Iranian and Arab American adults in Northern California, finding that Iranian Americans had lower rates of obesity and smoking, but higher rates of hyperlipidemia, prediabetes, depression, and anxiety compared to Arab Americans. The results highlight the importance of collecting granular data on race and ethnicity within the MENA ethnic group to better address the health needs of different subgroups.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Lottie Brown, Astrid K. Leck, Michael Gichangi, Matthew J. Burton, David W. Denning
Summary: Fungal keratitis is a severe corneal infection that can lead to blindness and eye loss. It is most prevalent in tropical and subtropical climates, often affecting young agricultural workers of low socioeconomic status. Based on literature review, the highest incidence rates are in Asia and Africa, with a global annual impact on over a million people.
LANCET INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)