Design and evaluation of ocular hydrogel containing combination of ofloxacin and dexamethasone for the treatment of conjunctivitis

Abstract Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, which covers the white part of the eyeball. It can be caused by allergies, bacterial or viral infection. In situ hydrogels are three-dimensional hydrophilic cross-linked network of polymers. In situ hydrogel provided better therapeutic index when compared to conventional treatment. The present work describes the formulation and evaluation of ofloxacin and dexamethasone based on the concept of pH triggered in situ gelation. Carbopol 934p was used as the gelling agent in combination with HPMC, as a viscosity-enhancing agent, benzalkonium chloride as preservative, sodium chloride as tonicity adjusting agent. The prepared formulations were liquid at the low pH and underwent rapid transition into viscous gel at the pH of the tear fluid. Formulations were evaluated for various rheological, in vitro and in vivo release characteristics. Infrared spectroscopy studies showed that there were no interactions between the drug and polymers. Viscosity of the prepared hydrogels lies in the optimum range and drug was released up to 85 % as the end of 13 h. The prepared in situ hydrogel was sterile, non-irritant to the eye. The present study indicated that it is possible to develop safe and physiologically effective in situ hydrogel which is patient compliant.

Predictors of mortality in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients from Brazilian reference centers, 2005 to 2012

ABSTRACT Objectives To determine the main predictors of death in multidrug-resistant (MDRTB) patients from Brazil. Design Retrospective cohort study, a survival analysis of patients treated between 2005 and 2012. Results Of 3802 individuals included in study, 64.7% were men, mean age was 39 (1-93) years, and 70.3% had bilateral pulmonary disease. Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was 8.3%. There were 479 (12.6%) deaths. Median survival time was 1452 days (4 years). Factors associated with increased risk of death were age greater than or equal to 60 years (hazard rate [HR] = 1.6, confidence interval [CI] = 1.15-2.2), HIV co-infection (HR = 1.46; CI = 1.05-1.96), XDR resistance pattern (HR = 1.74, CI = 1.05-2.9), beginning of treatment after failure (HR = 1.72, CI = 1.27-2.32), drug abuse (HR = 1.64, CI = 1.22-2.2), resistance to ethambutol (HR = 1.30, CI = 1.06-1.6) or streptomycin (HR = 1.24, CI = 1.01-1.51). Mainly protective factors were presence of only pulmonary disease (HR = 0.57, CI = 0.35-0.92), moxifloxacin use (HR = 0.44, CI = 0.25-0.80), and levofloxacin use (HR = 0.75; CI = 0.60-0.94). Conclusion A more comprehensive approach is needed to manage MDRTB, addressing early diagnostic, improving adhesion, and comorbidities, mainly HIV infection and drug abuse. The latest generation quinolones have an important effect in improving survival in MDRTB.

Utilização de lente de contato escleral na abordagem terapêutica da úlcera neurotrófica corneana / Use of scleral contact lens in the therapeutic approach of corneal neurotrophic ulcer

Resumo Neste artigo descrevemos como conduzimos com sucesso um caso de úlcera neurotrófica não responsivo à terapia convencional com o uso de lente de contato escleral e as vantagens desta terapêutica.

Abstract In this paper we describe how we successfully conducted a case of neurotrophic ulcer not responsive to conventional therapy using scleral contact lens and the advantages of this therapy.

Resistência de Neisseria gonorrhoeae a antimicrobianos na prática clínica: como está o Brasil? / Antimicrobials resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in clinical practice: where Brazil stands?

Estima-se que um milhão de infecções sexualmente transmissíveis (IST) sejam adquiridas por dia no mundo, segundo a Organização Mundial da Saúde. Elas podem ser causadas por diversos micro-organismos pelo contato sexual. Embora tratáveis, as infecções, como a clamidiana, sífilis, tricomoníase e gonorreia, são responsáveis por 350 milhões de novos casos de IST anualmente no mundo. A gonorreia é a segunda IST bacteriana mais prevalente no planeta e tem chamado atenção nos últimos anos em decorrência da baixa eficácia em seu tratamento. O agente etiológico é a Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Na maioria das mulheres, a infecção por esse micro-organismo é assintomática, dificultando ainda mais seu diagnóstico e tratamento e, portanto, aumentando o risco de desenvolvimento de suas complicações associadas. Mesmo quando diagnosticada, essa infecção está sujeita a um alto índice de insucesso terapêutico que se deve, principalmente, à grande plasticidade genética da N. gonorrhoeae para aquisição de genes cromossômicos ou plasmidiais de resistência. O aumento da resistência desse micro-organismo a antimicrobianos comumente utilizados no tratamento, como penicilina, tetraciclina e ciprofloxacina, tem sido relatado em diversos países. No Brasil, poucos estudos estão disponíveis, mas em alguns estados já foram relatadas linhagens resistentes à ciprofloxacina. Dessa forma, deve-se ressaltar a importância de novos estudos que visem descrever o perfil da resistência da N. gonorrhoeae a antimicrobianos. Tais achados certamente nortearão a implementação de sistemas de vigilância epidemiológica no país visto que, até o momento, as infecções por N. gonorrhoeae sequer estão incluídas na lista nacional de doenças e agravos de notificação compulsória.(AU)

According to the World Health Organization, approximately one million sexually transmitted infections (STI) are acquired daily in the world. These infections can be caused by several microorganisms via contact. The treatable STI, such as chlamydia, syphilis, trichomoniasis and gonorrhea, account for 350 million new cases of STI each year worldwide. Gonorrhoea is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae and is the second most common bacterial STI in the world. It has drawn more attention in the last years due to the low efficacy in its treatment. Most women with this infection are asymptomatic, which makes its diagnosis and treatment troublesome increasing the risk for its associated complications. Even when diagnosed, this infection is subject to a high rate of therapeutic failure mainly due to the great genetic plasticity of N. gonorrhoeae for the acquisition of chromosomal or resistance plasmid enes. Increased resistance of this microorganism to antimicrobials commonly used in treatment such as penicillin, tetracycline and ciprofloxacin has been reported in several countries. In Brazil, few studies are available, but in some states strains resistant to ciprofloxacin were alreadyreported. The refore, it is important to highlight the importance of new studies aimed at describing the resistance profile of N. gonorrhoeae to antimicrobials in Brazil context. These findings will certainly guide the implementation of epidemiological surveillance systems in the country, since until now N. gonorrhoeae infections do not figure into the national list of compulsorily notifiable diseases.(AU)

An uncommon ocular manifestation of Sweet syndrome: peripheral ulcerative keratitis and nodular scleritis / Uma manifestação ocular rara de síndrome de Sweet: ceratite ulcerativa periférica e esclerite nodular

Sweet syndrome (acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis) is characterized by fever, neutrophilic leukocytosis, and abrupt appearance of painful erythematous nodules and plaques, particularly on the face, neck, and limbs. In this study, we report a very rare case of Sweet syndrome in which the patient presented nodular scleritis and peripheral ulcerative keratitis during the dermatologically inactive period of the disease.

A síndrome de Sweet (dermatose neutrofílica febril aguda) é caracterizada por febre, leucocitose neutrofílica, aparecimento abrupto de nódulos eritematosos dolorosos e placas, principalmente na face, pescoço e membros. Neste artigo, relatamos um caso muito raro de síndrome de Sweet, que tinha esclerite nodular e ceratite ulcerativa periférica no período dermatologicamente inativo da doença.

Esquema alternativo para tratamento de hanseníase multibacilar em um caso de hepatotoxicidade durante a poliquimioterapia / Alternative treatment of multibacillary leprosy in a case of hepatotoxicity during multidrug therapy

A associação da dapsona, rifampicina e clofazimina tem se mostrado eficaz do tratamento da hanseníase multibacilar,entretanto a dapsona é responsável por inúmeros efeitos colaterais. Relata-se um caso de hepatoxocidade durante a poliquimioterapia, tratado com sucesso com a introdução de esquema alternativo com rifampicina,clofazimina e ofloxacino.

The combination of dapsone, rifampicin and clofazimine has proven quite effective in the treatment of multibacillary leprosy, however dapsone is responsible for numerous side effects. We report a case of hepatoxocidade during multidrug therapy, successfully treated with the introduction of alternative treatment with rifampicin,clofazimine and ofloxacin.

Comparison of Rifabutin- and Levofloxacin-based Third-line Rescue Therapies for Helicobacter pylori / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: There is increasing need for third-line therapy of Helicobacter pylori due to increasing level of antibiotics resistance. The aim of this study was to compare rifabutin and levofloxacin rescue regimens in patients with first- and second-line Helicobacter pylori eradication failures. METHODS: Patients, in whom a first treatment with proton pump inhibitor-clarithromycin-amoxicillin and a second trial with proton pump inhibitor-bismuth-tetracycline-metronidazole had failed, received treatment with either rifabutin or levofloxacin, plus amoxicillin (1 g twice daily) and standard dose proton pump inhibitor. Eradication rates were confirmed with 13C-urea breath test or rapid urease test 4 weeks after the cessation of therapy. RESULTS: Eradication rates were 71.4% in the rifabutin group, and 57.1% in the levofloxacin group, respectively. Although there was no significant difference in Helicobacter pylori eradication rates between two groups (p=0.656), rifabutin based regimen showed relatively higher eradication rate. CONCLUSIONS: Helicobacter pylori eradication rates of rifabutin- or levofloxacin-based triple therapy could not achieve enough eradication rate. Further studies would be needed on combination of levofloxacin and rifabutin-based regimen or culture based treatment.

Utilidad del tratamiento secuencial modificado con levofloxacina en la erradicación del Helicobacter pylori / Modified sequential treatment with levofloxacin in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori

Introducción: La infección por Helicobacter pylori, está asociada a múltiples complicaciones: gastritis crónica, úlcera gástrica y duodenal, cáncer gástrico y linfoma tipo MALT. Los niveles de erradicación y adherencia con la terapia estándar han declinado progresivamente en los últimos años. La terapia secuencial modificada podría ser una alternativa para mejorar su eficacia y la adherencia al tratamiento en vista de la alta resistencia actual a la claritromicina. Objetivos: Comparar la eficacia de la terapia triple secuencial estándar y la terapia triple secuencial modificada con levofloxacina para la erradicación de Helicobacter pylori. Materiales y Métodos: Se estudiaron 140 pacientes con infección por Helicobacter pylori comprobada por biopsia gástrica que fueron asignados en forma aleatorizada en dos grupos de tratamiento: Grupo de terapia secuencial estándar con omeprazol y amoxicilina por 5 días, seguido de omeprazol, claritromicina y metronidazol por 5 días adicionales. Grupo de terapia secuencial modificada con omeprazol y amoxicilina por 5 días, seguido de omeprazol, levofloxacina y metronidazol por 5 días adicionales. La erradicación se confirmó por biopsia gástrica posterior al tratamiento. Se realizó un cuestionario dirigido para evaluar la adherencia y los efectos secundarios en cada grupo. Resultados: Se evaluaron 70 pacientes en cada grupo. La tasa de erradicación y de abandono de tratamiento fue de 80% y 5,71% respectivamente en el grupo de terapia secuencial modificada comparando con 65,71% y 11,42% en el grupo de terapia secuencial estándar, siendo estadísticamente significativas las diferencias en ambos casos (p<0,05). Conclusiones: La terapia secuencial modificada con levofloxacina logra mayores tasas de erradicación y de adherencia al tratamiento del Helicobacter pylori cuando se compara con la terapia secuencial estándar.

Introduction: The infection by Helicobacter pylori, is associate with multiple complications: chronic gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcer, gastric cancer and lymphoma type MALT. The levels of eradication and adherence with the standard therapy have declined progressively in the last years. The sequential modified therapy could be an alternative to improve his efficiency and the adherence to the treatment in view of the high current resistance to the clarithromycin. Aims: To compare the efficiency of the triple sequential standard therapy and the triple sequential therapy modified with levofloxacin for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori. Materials and Methods: 140 patients were studied by infection by Helicobacter pylori verified by gastric biopsy that they were assigned in randomized form in two groups of treatment: Group of sequential standard therapy with omeprazole and amoxicillin for 5 days, followed by omeprazole, clarithromycin and metronidazole for 5 additional days. Group of sequential therapy modified with omeprazole and amoxicillin for 5 days, followed by omeprazole, levofloxacin and metronidazole for 5 additional days. The eradication was confirmed by gastric biopsy later to the treatment. Was realized a questionnaire to evaluate the adherence and the side effects in every group. Results: 70 patients were evaluated in every group. The rate of eradication and suspension of treatment was 80% and 5,71 % respectively in the group of sequential modified therapy comparing with 65,71% and 11,42% in the group of sequential standard therapy, being statistically significant the differences in both cases (p <0,05). Conclusions: The sequential therapy modified with levofloxacin achieves major rates of eradication and of adherence to the treatment of the Helicobacter pylori when it is compared with the sequential standard therapy.

A Case of Acute Phlegmonous Gastritis Causing Gastroparesis and Cured with Medical Treatment Alone / 대한소화기학회지

Acute phlegmonous gastritis is an uncommon disease, often fatal condition characterized by suppurative bacterial infection of the gastric wall. It has a high mortality rate mainly because the diagnosis is usually made late. Until recently, gastrectomy in combination with antibiotics was recommended. We had experienced a case of 66-year-old man presented with epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, and hematemesis, followed by aspiration pneumonia. At upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, the gastric lumen was narrow, and the mucosa was severely inflamed, which was erythematous, swelled, and showed necrotic areas covered with purulent exudate. Klebsiella oxytoca and Acinetobacter lwoffii were isolated in the gastric tissue culture. Contrast-enhanced computerized tomography scan of abdomen demonstrated diffuse gastric wall thickening and an intramural abscess in the gastric antral wall. Although delayed gastric emptying by gastroparesis prolonged the in-hospital period, the only medical treatment with antibiotics alone successfully cured the patient without gastrectomy.

Alcohol epitheliectomy with mechanical debridement in a case of granular corneal dystrophy with r555w homozygous mutation of TGF B1 gene.

An eight-year-old girl, an offspring of a consanguineous marriage presented with multiple anterior stromal geographic corneal opacities in both eyes. She was diagnosed to have superficial variant of granular dystrophy based on the family history, clinical features and mutation of TGF B1 gene. She was treated by alcohol-assisted removal of epithelium followed by mechanical debridement of abnormal deposits. Postoperatively, the cornea in both eyes was clear with no trace of opacity and the patient had an unaided visual acuity of 20/20 partial.

Infecções do trato urinário diagnosticada no laboratório universitário - Campus Erechim/RS / Urinary tract infections diagnosed at the laboratory of the university - Campus of Erechim/RS

As infecções do trato urinário (ITU) são definidas como a presença de microrganismos no trato urinário, podendo se localizar desde a uretra até os rins. Dentre as doenças infecciosas, as ITU estão entre as mais comuns na prática clínica e acometem homens e mulheres em qualquer idade. O presente trabalho objetivou avaliar a ocorrência de ITU diagnosticadas no Laboratório da Universitário da URI - Campus Erechim/RS. Durante o período de outubro de 2006 a outubro de 2007 foram analisados os resultados de 195 uroculturas, onde foram identificados 36 casos de ITU. A identificação das bactérias foi realizada por métodos bioquímicos tradicionais e o antibiograma pelo método de disco-difusão. Pacientes do sexo feminino foram os mais acometidos (97,22%) Observou-se um predomínio de ITU em indivíduos com idade superior a 40 anos, totalizando 47,22% dos casos. A Escherichia coli foi o microrganismo mais frequente (80,55%). Os uropatógenos apresentaram maiores índices de susceptibilidade à Ofloxacina (94,11%) e maiores índices de resistência à Ampicilina (69,44%). O diagnóstico correto das ITU é extremamente importante, pois permite a aplicação de um tratamento adequado e uso prudente e racional dos antimicrobianos.

A Case of Fitz-Hugh-Curtis Syndrome in a Male / 대한소화기학회지

Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome has been described as focal perihepatitis accompanying pelvic inflammatory disease caused by Neisseria gonorrhea and Chlamydia trachomatis. The highest incidence occurs in young, sexually active females. However, the syndrome has been reported to occur infrequently in males, according to the foreign literature. The predominant symptoms are right upper quadrant pain and tenderness, and pleuritic right sided chest pain. The clinical presentation is similar in men and women. In women, the spread of infection to liver capsule is thought to occur directly from infected fallopian tube via the right paracolic gutter. In men, hematogenous and lymphatic spread is thought to be postulated. Recently, we experienced a case of Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome occurred in a man. As far as we know, it is the first report in Korea, and we report a case with a review of the literature.

Liver Abscess and Empyema due to Lactococcus lactis cremoris

Lactococcus lactis cremoris infections are very rare in humans. We experienced liver abscess and empyema due to L. lactis cremoris in an immunocompetent adult. A 42-yr-old man was admitted with fever and abdominal pain. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed a liver abscess and chest CT showed loculated pleural effusion consistent with empyema. L. lactis cremoris was isolated from culture of the abscess material and blood. The patient was treated with pus drainage from liver abscess, video-assisted thoracoscopic decortications for empyema, and antibiotics including cefotaxime and levofloxacin. The patient was completely recovered with the treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a L. lactis cremoris infection in Korea.

PSA levels of 4.0 - 10 ng/ml and negative digital rectal examination: antibiotic therapy versus immediate prostate biopsy

Purpose: The management of mildly elevated (4.0-10.0 ng/ml) prostate specific antigen (PSA) is uncertain. Immediate prostate biopsy, antibiotic treatment, or short term monitoring PSA level for 1-3 months is still in controversy. Material and Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients in a large community practice (2003 - 2007) who had PSA levels between 4.0-10 ng/mL without any further evidence of infection. Data was gathered regarding patient's age, whether standard antibiotic therapy (10-14 days of ofloxacin or ciprofloxacin) had been administered before the second PSA measurement, results of a second PSA test performed at 1- to 2-month intervals, whether a prostate biopsy was performed and its result. Results: One-hundred and thirty-five men met the study inclusion criteria with 65 (48.1 percent) having received antibiotics (group 1); the PSA levels decreased in 39 (60 percent) of which, sixteen underwent a biopsy which demonstrated prostate cancer in 4 (25 percent). Twenty-six (40 percent) patients of group 1 exhibited no decrease in PSA levels; seventeen of them underwent a biopsy that demonstrated cancer in 2 (12 percent). The other 70 (51.9 percent) patients were not treated with antibiotics (group 2); the PSA levels decreased in 42 (60 percent) of which, thirteen underwent a biopsy which demonstrated prostate cancer in 4 (31 percent). In the other 28 (40 percent) patients of group 2 there was no demonstrated decrease in PSA, nineteen of these subjects underwent a biopsy that demonstrated cancer in 8 (42 percent). Conclusions: There appears to be no advantage for administration of antibacterial therapy with initial PSA levels between 4-10 ng/mL without overt evidence of inflammation.

Un caso de neumomediastino espontáneo que simula un síndrome de Boerhaave / A case of spontaneous pneumomediastinum that simulates a Boerhaave's syndrome

The spontaneous pneumomediastinum is the presence of air inside the mediastinum without a traumatic or iatrogenic reason associated. It is a slightly frequent entity and as the spontaneous pneumotorax it is given especially in young males. In rare occasions it associates to an episode of vomits and in this case it is necessary to make a differential diagnosis with Boerhaave's syndrome because at the first moment the clinic can be similar in both cases. Nevertheless, while the spontaneous pneumomediastinum is quite often to be a benign entity with good prediction, Boerhaave's syndrome has a mortality of 80 percent-90 percent if the diagnosis is produced after 24-48 hours.

El neumomediastino espontáneo es la presencia de aire dentro del mediastino sin que exista una causa traumática o iatrogénica asociada. Es una entidad poco frecuente que, al igual que el neumotorax espontáneo, se da sobre todo en varones jóvenes. En raras ocasiones se asocia a un episodio de vómitos y, en este caso, es necesario hacer un diagnóstico diferencial con el síndrome de Boerhaave ya que en un primer momento la clínica puede ser similar en ambos cuadros. Sin embargo, el neumomediastino espontáneo suele ser una entidad benigna con buen pronóstico y el síndrome de Boerhaave es un cuadro de mal pronóstico y que, de diagnosticarse después de 24-48 horas, puede tener hasta un 80 por ciento-90 por ciento de mortalidad.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in the symptomatic management of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a placebo-control randomized trial

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in the symptomatic management of chronic prostatitis pain/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. DESIGN: A pretest, posttest randomized double blind design was used in data collection. PARTICIPANT: Twenty-four patients diagnosed with chronic prostatitis- category IIIA and IIIB of the National Institute of Health Chronic Pain (NIH-CP) were referred for physiotherapy from the Urology department. Intervention: Pre treatment pain level was assessed using the NIH-CP (pain domain) index. The TENS group received TENS treatment, 5 times per week for a period of 4 weeks (mean treatment frequency, intensity, pulse width and duration of 60Hz, 100µS, 25mA and 20 minutes respectively). The Analgesic group received no TENS treatment but continued analgesics; the Control group received no TENS and Analgesic but placebo. All subjects were placed on antibiotics throughout the treatment period. Outcome measures: Post-treatment pain level was also assessed using NIH-CP pain index. RESULT: Findings of the study revealed significant effect of TENS on chronic prostatitis pain at p < 0.05. CONCLUSION: TENS is an effective means of non-invasive symptomatic management of chronic prostatitis pain.

Tratamento da actinomicose pulmonar com levofloxacina / Treatment of pulmonary actinomycosis with levofloxacin

A actinomicose é uma infecção bacteriana supurativa crônica caracterizada por múltiplos abcessos, trajetos fistulosos e fibrose envolvendo a face, o pescoço, o tórax e o abdômen. É causada por uma bactéria anaeróbia, Gram-positiva e saprófita (Actinomyces). A actinomicose pulmonar primária é uma doença rara que resulta provavelmente da aspiração de secreções da orofaringe. Pode apresentar-se como uma doença respiratória crônica. O tratamento de escolha é a antibioticoterapia com penicilina. Os autores apresentam o caso clínico de uma mulher de 55 anos com diagnóstico de actinomicose pulmonar tratada com sucesso com levofloxacina.

Actinomycosis is a chronic suppurative bacterial infection characterized by multiple abscesses, fistulous pathways, and fibrosis involving the face, neck, chest, and abdomen. It is caused by an anaerobic Gram-positive saprophytic bacterium (Actinomyces). Primary actinomycosis of the lung is a rare disease that probably results from aspiration of oropharyngeal secretions. It can present as a chronic respiratory disease. The treatment of choice is antibiotic therapy with penicillin. The authors report the case of a 55-year-old female diagnosed with pulmonary actinomycosis and successfully treated with levofloxacin.