ABSTRACT
Objective@#The study protocolaims to provide an overview of the current practice of screening and treatment of ROP in the selected, to estimate the proportion of childhood blindness due to ROP and assess the number of premature babies at risk for ROP.@*Methods@#The study protocol is a descriptive, cross sectional study design using survey questionnaire to be sent out to pediatric ophthalmologists, vitreo-retina specialists and division heads of the neonatal intensive care units of different hospitals in a selected area. Student records and medical abstracts from local schools for the blind will be obtained and will be reviewed. All qualitative data will be reported by frequency distribution and percentages. Extrapolation on the proportion of ROP in the area will be done. @*Conclusion@#Results from the study can show an overview of the current situation of ROP in a selected area and provide the framework for recommendations for programs aimed providing criteria for timely screening and treatment of ROP to prevent complications such as childhood visual impairment and blindness in the country.
Subject(s)
Retinopathy of PrematurityABSTRACT
Objective@#To determine the in-vitro activity of voriconazole and compare it with amphotericin B, fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, and caspofungin against local yeast and mold clinical isolates Candida albicans, Candida sp., Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus niger, and Fusarium cylindrocarpone.@*Methods@#Review of the Institute of Ophthalmology microbiology records were done and was the basis for the local isolates included in the study. Mean inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using YeastOne Sensititre Microtitre Colorimery method (TREK Diagnostic Systems, England). Two-way ANOVA, Duncan, and Pearson chi-squared tests were used to analyze the data. @*Results@#All isolates tested were sensitive to voriconazole. Eighty percent (80%) of the isolates were sensitive to amphotericin B and 25% showed resistance to itraconazole. Yeast pathogens were all sensitive to amphotericin B and voriconazole. More than 50% of the yeast pathogens were resistant to ketoconazole. Molds or filamentous fungi showed higher susceptibility to voriconazole than amphotericin B and the other antifungals. @*Conclusion@#Voriconazole exhibited good in-vitro activity against the isolates tested. It has the same efficacy on yeast pathogens (Candida albicans and Candida sp.) when compared with amphotericin B. It has superior efficacy on filamentous fungi (Aspergillus and Fusarium). There is a role for voriconazole in the treatment of ocular infections, especially in the setting of poor antifungal drug availability.
