Usefulness of aqueous and vitreous humor analysis in infectious uveitis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of intraocular fluid analysis as a diagnostic aid for uveitis. METHODS: Twenty-eight samples (27 patients including 3 HIV-infected patients) with active (n=24) or non-active (n=4) uveitis were submitted to aqueous (AH; n=12) or vitreous humor (VH) analysis (n=16). All samples were analyzed by quantitative PCR for herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella zoster virus (VZV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Toxoplasma gondii. RESULTS: The positivity of the PCR in AH was 41.7% (5/12), with 50% (2/4) in immunocompetent and 67% (2/3) in HIV+ patients. The positivity of the PCR in VH was 31.2% (5/16), with 13% (1/8) in immunocompetent and 50% (4/8) in immunosuppressed HIV negative patients. The analysis was a determinant in the diagnostic definition in 58% of HA and 50% of VH. CONCLUSION: Even in posterior uveitis, initial AH analysis may be helpful. A careful formulation of possible clinical diagnosis seems to increase the chance of intraocular sample analysis being meaningful.

Intravitreal Angiostrongylus cantonensis: first case report in South America / Angiostrongylus cantonensis intravítreo: primeiro relato de caso na América do Sul

ABSTRACT This study reports the first case of intravitreal angiostrongyliasis in South America treated with posterior worm removal via pars plana vitrectomy. This was a retrospective, observational case study. Data from medical charts, wide-field digital imaging, ocular ultrasound, and visual evoked potential studies were reviewed. A 20-month-old boy presented with eosinophilic meningitis and right eye exotropia. Polymerase chain reaction analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid showed a positive result for Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Fundus examination revealed a pale optic disc, subretinal tracks, vitreous opacities, peripheral tractional retinal detachment, and a dead worm in the vitreous cavity. The patient underwent pars plana vitrectomy with worm removal. This case report illustrates the first case of intravitreal angiostrongyliasis in South America, possibly related to the uncontrolled spread of an exotic invasive species of snail.

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi relatar o primeiro caso na América do Sul de angiostrongilíase intravítrea tratada com vitrectomia posterior via pars plana e remoção do verme. Este foi um relato de caso observacional. O prontuário médico, sistema de imagem digital de campo amplo, ultrassonografia ocular, e potenciais evocados visuais foram revistos. Um menino de 1 ano e 8 meses de idade manifestou meningite eosinofílica e exotropia olho direito. A análise de PCR do liquor foi positiva para Angiostrongylus cantonensis. O exame de fundo de olho revelou disco óptico pálido, faixas sub-retinianas, opacidades vítreas, descolamento de retina tracional periférico e um verme morto no vítreo. O paciente foi submetido a vitrectomia posterior via pars plana com a remoção do verme. Concluindo, este é o primeiro relato de caso de angiostrongilíase intravítrea na América do Sul, possivelmente relacionado com a disseminação de uma espécie de lesma exótica neste continente.

Intravitreal cysticercosis presenting as neovascular glaucoma.

We report two cases of intraocular cysticercosis which showed a peculiar presentation of neovascular glaucoma which is hitherto unreported. Two young adults presented with symptoms of raised intraocular pressure due to neovascular glaucoma. On dilated fundus examination both were found to have dead intravitreal cysticercosis. The cysts were removed by a three-port vitrectomy and intracameral injection of bevacizumab was given to help in the regression of rubeosis. Trabeculectomy had to be combined in one case. The intraocular pressure returned to normal. No recurrence of rubeosis was seen even after one year.

Intravitreal live adult Brugian filariasis.

Human ocular infestation by live filarial worm is a rare occurrence and has been reported mostly form South-East Asia. It involves the eyelids, conjunctiva, cornea, anterior chamber and uvea. No case of intravitreal Brugian microfilaria / adult worm has been found by Medline search. Here we report a case of live intravitreal adult Brugian filaria, where the parasite was successfully removed by pars plana vitrectomy. Identification of the worm was done by light microscopy and confirmed by immuno chromatographic test.

Uso de corticóide sistêmico e intravítreo na inflamação secundária a cisticercose intra-ocular: relato de caso / The use of systemic and intravitreous steroid in inflammation secondary to intraocular cysticercosis: case report

A cisticercose é uma parasitose causada por ovos de Taenia solium, que pode acometer diversos tecidos como coração, músculo esquelético, cérebro e olhos. Neste estudo será descrito o caso de um paciente de 62 anos do sexo masculino encaminhado com queixa de baixa acuidade visual progressiva no olho direito há dois meses. O exame biomicroscópico e ultra-sonográfico permitiu o diagnóstico ocular de cisticercose intravítrea. Foi realizada cirurgia de vitrectomia via pars plana para remoção do parasita e no intra-operatório ocorreu ruptura do cisto com extravasamento intravítreo. Durante o procedimento foram injetadas 400 microgramas de dexametasona intravítreo e prescrito 60 mg/dia de prednisona via oral por 14 dias. O paciente evoluiu com recuperação visual e acuidade visual final de 20/25, retina aplicada e vítreo claro. Em conclusão, farmacoterapia com corticóide intravítreo associada à terapia com corticóide sistêmico pode ser considerada como alternativa a ser associada para o controle inflamatório após cirurgia vitreorretiniana de cisticercose ocular.

Cysticercosis is a parasitosis caused by Taenia solium eggs that could affect several tissues, such as heart, skeletal muscles, brain and eyes. This study describes the case of a 62-year-old male who complained of progressively loss of vision in his right eye for two months. Slit-lamp and ultrasound exams suggested a diagnosis of intravitreous cysticercosis. The patient underwent pars plana vitrectomy to remove the intravitreous parasite. Intraoperatively the cyst ruptured and leaked into the vitreous cavity. Therefore, 400 µg of intravitreous dexamethasone was injected intraoperatively, and 60 mg/day of prednisone PO was prescribed for 14 days. The post-operative best corrected visual acuity was 20/25, the retina was attached and vitreous remained clear. In conclusion, drug therapy with intravitreous corticosteroids associated with systemic steroids showed to be an alternative approach to control inflammation following vitreoretinal surgery.

A juvenile filarial worm, Wuchereria bancrofti, extracted from the vitreous of the eye: the first report in the world literature.

A live worm was extracted from the vitreous of the eye of a patient in Sri Lanka. Based on the details of its length, width, oesophagus and vulva it was identified as Ajuvenile female Wuchereria bancrofti.

Pesquisa de anticorpos anti Toxoplasma gondii em fluidos intra-oculares (humor vítreo e humor aquoso) de pacientes com toxoplasmose ocular, na cidade de Belém, PA / Research on antibodies anti toxoplasma gondii in intraocular fluids (Aqueous and vitreous humor) from patients with ocular toxoplasmosis, in the City of Belém, Pará State

Foi realizada pesquisa de anticorpos IgG, IgM e IgA anti-Toxoplasma gondii no soro e fluidos intra-oculares (humor aquoso e vítreo) de pacientes com toxoplasmose ocular. A partir dos resultados obtidos verificou-se que anticorpos IgG e IgA intraocular anti-Toxoplasma gondii podem vir a ser importantes marcadores no diagnóstico de toxoplasmose ocular.

Intravitreal live Gnathostoma spinigerum.

Intraocular infestation by live Gnathostoma spinigerum is a rare occurrence in humans. Most of the published reports are from South-East Asia. We report a case of intravitreal gnathostomiasis, where the worm was removed live and intact by pars plana vitrectomy.

Intravitreal cysticercosis

Examination of a 36-year-old man with naked visual acuity of 20/20 revealed a floating, conspicuous cyst of Cysticercus cellulosae in the vitreous cavity of the right eye. A vitreous traction band from the vitreous base and the optic disc was connected to the lodging bulb of the cyst. In the superonasal area, an ovoid retinal break surrounded by a white retinal lesion with two elliptical retinal hemorrhages was found, and this seems to be the previous lodging site of the cyst. A pars plana vitrectomy was performed to remove the parasite, and laser photocoagulation was carried out around the retinal break. Four months after the operation, the patient was satisfied with naked visual acuity of 25/20 without any complication in the affected eye.