[Diagnosis of ocular Chlamydia infections. Experiences with 2 test systems]. / Zur Diagnostik von okulären Chlamydieninfektionen. Erfahrungen mit zwei unterschiedlichen Testprinzipien.

It is well known that both direct and indirect test systems are available for identifying chlamydial infections. In the author's laboratory two of these systems were compared by examining conjunctival scrapings, sera, and tears from more than 150 patients with chronic, therapy-resistant conjunctivitis. The principal criteria considered were the time and technical effort involved and the sensitivity and specificity of these tests in ophthalmology. According to the authors' findings, direct identification of the pathogens with FITC-labeled monoclonal antibodies is useful for diagnosing fresh infections. In cases of chronic disease, however, the indirect serologic test is of greater value, because it is usually impossible to isolate the viruses. This test shows specific IgA and IgG antibodies in serum and tears that do not occur before the tenth (IgA) or 30th (IgG) day after infection. The sensitivity and specificity of both tests seem to be on a par with the culture system, which is still the "gold standard" for diagnosis. For a secure diagnosis both test systems should be used, though of course always taking the clinical picture into consideration.

[Ultrastructural findings in the cornea in xeroderma pigmentosum]. / Ultrastrukturelle Befunde der Hornhaut bei Xeroderma pigmentosum.

Xeroderma pigmentosum is a very rare disease caused by an inherited defect in the DNA repair system. The cells are less able to repair defects caused by UV radiation, which results in early aging of the skin and the development of malignant skin tumors. Robins assumes that the eye is involved in 60% of the cases. In our patient we found a dense opacity of both corneas in addition to the typical lentiginous alteration of the skin. Therefore, a corneal transplantation was carried out on both eyes. The corneal buttons obtained by keratoplasty were examined by light, and transmission electron microscopy. We found massive alterations in the tissues of all corneal layers.

[Electron microscopy study of artificial vitreous gel]. / Elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchung von künstlichem Glaskörpergel.

Artificial gels prepared from Cu2+-ions and hyaluronic acid were studied in the electron microscope and compared with the native vitreous body. Additionally, the authors attempted to produce transparent gels from the native constituents of the vitreous body, namely collagen and hyaluronic acid. Mixing of solutions of these constituents formed no gels but white precipitates. The ultrastructure of these precipitates was also studied in the electron microscope.