Secretion of Interleukin-8 from Human Keratocyte Stimulated by Aspergillus fumigatus and Effect of Amphotericin B and Dexamethasone on The Secretion

PURPOSE: To measure the secretion of IL-8 from cultured human keratocytes after inoculation of conidia of A. fumigatus, and to compare the change of secretion of IL-8 following application of amphotericin B and dexamethasone. METHODS: Human corneal keraoctytes were cultured independently in vitro. The specimens were divided into 4 groups : Group I with only pure culture as control, Group II with conidia of A. fumigatus, Group III with conidia of A. fumigatus and amphotericin B, and Group IV with conidia of A. fumigatus and dexamethasone. The supernatants were aspirated from each group at different time intervals, and then were assayed for IL-8. RESULTS: Group II showed increased secretion of IL-8, at all selected time intervals except 12-h, in comparison with other three groups. Group III secreted IL-8 significantly less than the other groups(p<0.01). Group IV secreted IL-8 less than Group I and II at all selected time points(p<0.01), but more than Group III at the other time points except for 72-h(p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The secretion of IL-8 increased in the early stage of fungal keratitis but decreased in case of the administration of amphotericin B or dexamethasone. Amphotericin B was more potent than dexamethasone in decreasing the secretion of IL-8.

A Case of Lacrimal Gland Duct Cyst Associated with Ptosis

The lacrimal gland ductal cyst is rare, and a closed cyst of the palpebral lobe of the lacrimal gland developing incidiously in the superotemporal cul-de-sac. The authors experienced a case of lacrimal gland ductal cyst, which was a relatively large-sized mass, protruding from the superior temporal conjunctival cul-de-sac. The patient showed temporal blepharoptosis with S-shape of lid margin, but she had no diplopia and limitation of extraocular muscles. The cystic lesion was excised completely through conjunctival approach and lateral canthotomy. Total resection is optimal technique to prevent recurrence. Histopathologically, the cyst contained serous contents in its cavity and its wall was lined by two layers of squamous epithelium, containing some lacrimal gland tissues. This cyst seems to be originated from the palpebral lobe of the lacrimal gland, considering its anatomical location and histopathological findings.