ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: A retrospective cross-section study to analyze the prevalence of herpes simplex virus-induced keratitis (HSK) among 3,000 patients attending a corneal clinic in South India between 1995 and 1997, and to evaluate laboratory techniques for detecting HSK. METHODS: The clinico-virological correlation was studied using herpes simplex virus (HSV) isolation on the Vero cell line, HSV-specific antigen detection by indirect immunofluorescence (IF) microscopy, and serum anti-HSV IgG quantitation, IgM estimation, and tear secretory IgA (sIgA) detection by ELISA. OBSERVATIONS: HSK had a prevalence of 7.8% (234 patients) in this study. A virological correlation could be obtained in 44.4% of the cases that had epithelial manifestations and in 14.8% of the cases that had only stromal disease. In 161 cases where both culture and IF microscopy were used, IF detected 27 cases (26.8%) more than cell culture. The difference in sensitivity between cell culture and IF was found to be statistically significant (McNemar's test, P < .05). An elevation in IgG titer was seen in 17 (30.4%) cases. IgM was detected in only 2 cases of the 62 (3.2%) analyzed. Of the 138 cases analyzed, sIgA was positive in 28 (20.3%) cases. A proved diagnosis could be made in 58% of cases when the specimen was collected during the first week after disease onset, and in only 5% when the time interval increased to 4 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: HSV antigen detection by indirect IF is a rapid and sensitive diagnostic tool for HSK. Tear secretory IgA (sIgA) is a specific marker for acute herpetic keratitis, and the detection of HSV-specific tear sIgA is a valuable adjunct to virus isolation and antigen detection in the laboratory diagnosis of HSK. For a successful diagnosis, the specimen should be collected as soon as possible after HSK onset.
Subject(s)
Cornea/virology , Keratitis, Herpetic/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Animals , Antibodies, Viral/analysis , Antigens, Viral/analysis , Child , Child, Preschool , Chlorocebus aethiops , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect , Herpesvirus 1, Human/immunology , Herpesvirus 1, Human/isolation & purification , Humans , Immunoglobulin A, Secretory/analysis , India/epidemiology , Infant , Keratitis, Herpetic/diagnosis , Male , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Retrospective Studies , Tears/immunology , Vero Cells/microbiology , Virus CultivationABSTRACT
We report a rare case of intraocular Gnathostomiasis, where a live worm, intracameral in location, was successfully removed. Its identity was confirmed by microscopy.
Subject(s)
Anterior Chamber/parasitology , Eye Infections, Parasitic/parasitology , Gnathostoma/isolation & purification , Iris Diseases/parasitology , Spirurida Infections/parasitology , Adult , Animals , Diagnosis, Differential , Eye Infections, Parasitic/diagnosis , Eye Infections, Parasitic/surgery , Female , Humans , Iris Diseases/diagnosis , Iris Diseases/surgery , Spirurida Infections/diagnosis , Spirurida Infections/surgery , Visual AcuityABSTRACT
Late Dr RES Muthiah started the very first eye bank in India and the first corneal transplantation took place successfully by him in India in 1948. From then on a movement started for donation of eyes. The prime concept of Eye Bank Association of India (EBAI) is to motivate the people for eye donation. A vast propaganda throughout the country is going on for eye donation. The community should come forward shedding all inhibitions. EBAI has envisaged a master plan of action to regulate eye bank activities. Under this plan eye donation movement is catching up in the country.
Subject(s)
Corneal Diseases/epidemiology , Corneal Diseases/surgery , Corneal Transplantation/statistics & numerical data , Eye Banks/organization & administration , Eye Banks/supply & distribution , Tissue Donors/education , Tissue and Organ Procurement/legislation & jurisprudence , Eye Banks/legislation & jurisprudence , Humans , India/epidemiology , Tissue Donors/legislation & jurisprudence , Tissue Donors/supply & distribution , Tissue and Organ Harvesting , Tissue and Organ Procurement/methodsABSTRACT
Acrodermatitis enteropathica is a rare disease affecting infant girls. The skin in these cases develop rashes which start as vesicles and then dries to form erythematous squamous psoriasiform type of lesions. Dystrophy of nails and alopecia with loss of eye lashes and eye brows is also seen. Low serum zinc level is found in these patients and is thought to be the cause of this disease.
