Serum levels of neurotrophic factors in active toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis

Abstract Toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis (TR) is the most common identifiable cause of posterior uveitis in Brazil. Response to treatment and clinical presentation may vary significantly. We assessed serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin (NT)-3, and NT-4/5 in patients with active TR, before and after TR treatment. Methods: Twenty patients with active lesion and 15 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Serum concentration of neurotrophic factors was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: BDNF levels were significantly higher in patients before treatment when compared with controls (p = 0.0015). There was no significant difference in pro-BDNF, NGF, GDNF, NT-3, and NT-4/5 levels between TR patients and controls. Treatment did not affect the levels of these factors. Conclusion: BDNF may be released in the context of the active TR inflammatory response.

Serum levels of neurotrophic factors in active toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis.

Toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis (TR) is the most common identifiable cause of posterior uveitis in Brazil. Response to treatment and clinical presentation may vary significantly. We assessed serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin (NT)-3, and NT-4/5 in patients with active TR, before and after TR treatment. METHODS: Twenty patients with active lesion and 15 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Serum concentration of neurotrophic factors was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: BDNF levels were significantly higher in patients before treatment when compared with controls (p=0.0015). There was no significant difference in pro-BDNF, NGF, GDNF, NT-3, and NT-4/5 levels between TR patients and controls. Treatment did not affect the levels of these factors. CONCLUSION: BDNF may be released in the context of the active TR inflammatory response.

Enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography in long-standing Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease.

AIM: To evaluate the choroidal thickness (CT) in patients with long-standing Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT). METHODS: A prospective case-control study developed at a tertiary centre at São Paulo, Brazil. EDI-OCT images were obtained in 16 patients (30 eyes) with VKH disease who had had the disease for more than 6 months since disease onset, and in 17 normal individuals controlled by age (32 eyes). Comprehensive ophthalmic examination and EDI-OCT evaluation were performed. CT was measured at the fovea and at 1000 µm intervals from the foveal centre in both temporal and nasal directions. CT was correlated with disease duration, clinical disease activity and fundus-based disease severity. RESULTS: Mean subfoveal CT was 333 µm (±85.8) in controls and 250.7 µm (±93.3) in VKH patients (p=0.002). The choroid was significantly thinner in patients when compared to controls in all but one nasal point. In patients, the CT measurements at the foveal centre presented a negative correlation with disease duration (p<0.001). No significant difference in CT measurements was observed between eyes with and without clinical inflammation (p=0.42). There was a trend towards more severe fundus changes being associated with a thinner choroid (p=0.28). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with VKH and long-standing disease had thinner choroids when compared to controls. Progressive choroidal thinning related to disease duration was observed at the macula of these patients. Whether this finding is part of the natural history of the disease or the result of a clinically undetected choroidal inflammation remains to be determined.

Avaliação ocular multimodal em doenças heredodistróficas e degenerativas da retina: [revisão] / Multimodal fundus imaging in heredodystrophic and degenerative diseases of the retina

A tomografia de coerência óptica incorporou-se gradativamente ao contemporâneo arsenal diagnóstico em Oftalmologia, passando a exercer papel fundamental na investigação e condução de doenças oculares, particularmente na especialidade de Retina e Vítreo. A disponibilização comercial da nova geração de aparelhos, chamada de tomografia de coerência óptica "espectral", baseada em conceito físico distinto que permite a aquisição de imagens em alta velocidade, marcou o início de uma nova era desta tecnologia de investigação auxiliar. Adicionalmente, sua recente combinação com o oftalmoscópio de varredura a laser confocal (confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope) vem propiciando a aquisição de imagens tomográficas guiadas em tempo real pelos diferentes modos de imagem (autofluorescência de fundo, reflectância com luz "infravermelha" e angiografia com fluoresceína ou indocianina verde). A avaliação ocular multimodal (multimodal fundus imaging) permite a correlação real e minuciosa de achados da morfologia retiniana e do epitélio pigmentar com dados de estudos angiográficos e de autofluorescência ou reflectância, propiciando assim inferências valiosas sobre a fisiologia do tecido. Neste artigo, discutimos brevemente as possíveis implicações da avaliação ocular multimodal na prática da especialidade de Retina e Vítreo.

Optical coherence tomography was progressively incorporated to the contemporary diagnostic arsenal in Ophthalmology, playing a crucial role in the diagnosis and management of eye diseases, particularly in the specialty of retina and vitreous. The commercial availability of the new generation of devices, coined "spectral" optical coherence tomography, which is based in a distinct physical concept that permits high-speed image acquisition, launched a new era for this investigative ancillary tool. In addition, the recent combination of this new technology with a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope has permitted the acquisition of tomographic images driven by different imaging modalities simultaneously (fundus autofluorescence, near-infrared reflectance, and fluorescein or indocyanine-green angiographies). Multimodal fundus imaging permits a reliable and detailed correlation between the morphological findings of the retina or retinal pigment epithelium and angiographic studies or fundus autofluorescence, leading to valuable insights about retina physiology. In this article, we briefly discuss possible practical implications of this new diagnostic modality for the retina specialist.

[Evaluation of the macular function by focal electroretinography and by fluorescein angiography in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration submitted to verteporfin photodynamic therapy]. / Avaliação da função macular por eletrorretinografia focal e por angiofluoresceinografia em pacientes com degeneração macular relacionada à idade neovascular submetidos à terapia fotodinâmica com verteporfina.

PURPOSE: To evaluate macular function by focal electroretinography and fluorescein angiography (FA) in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration submitted to verteporfin photodynamic therapy (VPT). METHODS: Prospective study involving 22 patients with age-related macular degeneration and predominantly classic subfoveal neovascular membrane, in non consecutive series, treated with VPT and followed for 12 months. They had their best corrected visual acuity measured by ETDRS chart, changes of lesion measured by fluorescein angiography and cone function assessed by focal electroretinography at baseline and each 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: All 22 patients completed the scheduled follow-up. After a mean of 3.5 sessions of treatment per patient, the mean visual acuity variation was not significant at the end of study. Eleven patients showed variation > or =1 line. 86% of patients achieved stabilization of lesion leakage at the end of the study. Focal electroretinography showed a mean of 194.88 nV in amplitude and 29.19 ms in latency and did not present a significant variation during treatment. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences in focal electroretinography amplitudes and latencies after a 9-month period. Visual acuity did not show important variations during the 12 months. The decrease of lesion size showed a significant difference at 12 months with negative correlation between the amplitude of focal electroretinography and best corrected visual acuity.

Avaliação da função macular por eletrorretinografia focal e por angiofluoresceinografia em pacientes com degeneração macular relacionada à idade neovascular submetidos à terapia fotodinâmica com verteporfina / Evaluation of the macular function by focal electroretinography and by fluorescein angiography in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration submitted to verteporfin photodynamic therapy

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a função macular por eletrorretinografia focal e angiofluoresceinografia em pacientes com degeneração macular relacionada à idade neovascular submetidos à terapia fotodinâmica com verteporfina. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo incluindo 22 pacientes (12 homens) com degeneração macular relacionada à idade e lesão neovascular coroídea subfoveal predominantemente clássica, não consecutivos, tratados com terapia fotodinâmica com verteporfina padrão e acompanhados por um período de 12 meses. A acuidade visual melhor corrigida foi medida utilizando tabela ETDRS, as alterações das lesões foram avaliadas pela angiofluoresceinografia e a função dos cones foram obtidas pela eletrorretinografia focal na visita inicial e nas subsequentes a cada três meses. RESULTADOS: Todos os pacientes completaram as visitas programadas. Após uma média de 3,5 sessões por paciente, a variação da acuidade visual melhor corrigida não foi significante no decorrer do estudo. Em 50 por cento dos pacientes a variação da acuidade visual melhor corrigida foi >1 linha. Ao final do estudo observou-se ausência de vazamento em 86 por cento dos pacientes. A média da amplitude e latência do ERG focal na visita inicial foram de, respectivamente, 194,88 nV e 29,19 ms e as variações no decorrer do estudo não foram significantes. CONCLUSÕES: Não foram encontradas diferenças na amplitude e latência do eletrorretinografia focal após um período de 9 meses. A acuidade visual melhor corrigida não sofreu variações significativas ao longo dos 12 meses. A lesão foi significativamente reduzida ao longo do tempo e houve uma correlação negativa entre a amplitude e a acuidade visual melhor corrigida.

PURPOSE: To evaluate macular function by focal electroretinography and fluorescein angiography (FA) in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration submitted to verteporfin photodynamic therapy (VPT). METHODS: Prospective study involving 22 patients with age-related macular degeneration and predominantly classic subfoveal neovascular membrane, in non consecutive series, treated with VPT and followed for 12 months. They had their best corrected visual acuity measured by ETDRS chart, changes of lesion measured by fluorescein angiography and cone function assessed by focal electroretinography at baseline and each 3month follow-up. RESULTS: All 22 patients completed the scheduled follow-up. After a mean of 3.5 sessions of treatment per patient, the mean visual acuity variation was not significant at the end of study. Eleven patients showed variation >1 line. 86 percent of patients achieved stabilization of lesion leakage at the end of the study. Focal electroretinography showed a mean of 194.88 nV in amplitude and 29.19 ms in latency and did not present a significant variation during treatment. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences in focal electroretinography amplitudes and latencies after a 9-month period. Visual acuity did not show important variations during the 12 months. The decrease of lesion size showed a significant difference at 12 months with negative correlation between the amplitude of focal electroretinography and best corrected visual acuity.

STRATUS optical coherence tomography in unilateral colobomatous excavation of the optic disc and secondary retinoschisis.

PURPOSE: To report the STRATUS optical coherence tomography (STRATUSOCT) findings in a patient with unilateral coloboma-like excavation of the optic disc without pit but secondary retinoschisis, as well as to discuss the possible involved pathophysiologic mechanisms. METHODS: Observational case report. STRATUSOCT findings in a 66-year-old woman with a coloboma-like excavation of the optic disc without pit but secondary retinoschisis encompassing the macular region, along with evidence of a mild epiretinal membrane superonasal to the disc were evaluated. RESULTS: STRATUSOCT showed signs of a connection between the perineural space and the inner retinal layers on the temporal optic disc border, as well as schisis-like changes extending from the disc to the macula, with cystoid degeneration and two lamellar holes in their nasal portion. CONCLUSION: The use of third generation OCT afforded an enhanced visualization of retinal structures, revealing signs of fluid at several distinct levels, as well as deep and superficial inner breaks apart from the schisis cavity. We are unaware of such previous reports, and could find no reference to them in a computerized search using MEDLINE. In addition, our study supports a common pathomechanism for the development of macular complications in optic pits and colobomas.

Vitrectomia farmacológica e descolamento do vítreo posterior / Pharmacological vitreolysis and posterior vitreous detachment

O vítreo exerce papel crucial na patogênese de vários distúrbios vitreoretinianos. As alterações moleculares e estruturais fisiológicas do gel vítreo evoluem para a liquefação e culminam com o descolamento do córtex vítreo posterior (DVP). A ocorrência do descolamento do vítreo posterior influencia positivamente o prognóstico de pacientes diabéticos, com maculopatias e vasculopatias. Abordaremos o conceito da vitrectomia farmacológica que se refere ao uso de agentes que alteram a organização molecular do vítreo, num esforço de reduzir ou eliminar seu papel na gênese de doenças vítreo-retinianas, sendo o seu objetivo final, o descolamento total do vítreo posterior. Vários agentes têm sido estudados durante a última década, porém, existem várias limitações na aplicabilidade clínica destes compostos. Nesse artigo de revisão, iremos abordar os diferentes agentes e os seus mecanismos de ação sobre a matriz extracelular e a interface vítreo-retiniana.

Vasculopatia polipoidal idiopática da coróide / Idiopathic polypoidalchoroidal vasculopathy

Objetivo: Descrever os achados da tomografia de coerência óptica, angiofluoresceinografia e indocianinografia na vasculopatia polipoidal idiopática da coróide. Métodos: Realizou-se análise criteriosa dos exames complementares de angiofluoresceinografia e indocianinografia, comumente utilizados para o diagnóstico, assim como da tomografia de coerência óptica, em quatro olhos de uma série de três pacientes com vasculopatia polipoidal idiopática da coróide. Resultados: Os quatro olhos motraram lesöes subretinianas vermelho-alaranjadas, sendo que dois casos apresentaram descolamento hemorrágico do epitélio pigmentado da retina, além de manifestaçöes exsudativas e hemorrágicas associadas. A angiofluoresceinografia revelou dilataçöes aneurismáticas em ramificaçöes anormais de vasos da coróide em apenas 1 caso, ao contrário da indocianinografia que claramente demonstrou as lesöes em todos os casos. A tomografia de coerência óptica confirmou o descolamento hemorrágico espontâneo do epitélio pigmentado da retina em 2 casos. Conclusäo: A indocianinografia é o exame de escolha no diagnóstico da vasculopatia polipoidal da coróide, mas em alguns casos a associaçäo com a tomografia de coerência óptica e angiofluoresc einografia pode ser útil no diagnóstico e seguimento.

Degeneraçäo macular relacionada à idade: modalidades terapéuticas / Age related macular degeneration: therapeutic modalities

Descrever as modalidades de tratamento clínico e cirúrgico das complicaçöes da degeneraçäo macular relacionada à idade (DMRI).