[Counterfeiting of eye drops?: a laboratory study of antibiotic eye drops purchased in two African countries]. / Counterfeiting von Augentropfen? : Eine Untersuchung von Antibiotikapräparaten aus 2 Ländern Afrikas.

INTRODUCTION: Counterfeit drugs are often ineffective and are considered a problem with an immense risk potential especially in the treatment of infectious diseases. Emerging and developing countries are particularly affected. Little is known about the extent of counterfeit antibiotic drugs used in eye care. In the present study we investigated antibiotic eye drops purchased in two African countries with respect to the active substance and its concentration in the sample. METHODS: A total of 33 antibiotic eye drops purchased in Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo were tested. The bottles were labeled to contain one of the following substances: the quinolones ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and ofloxacin and the aminoglycosides gentamicin and tobramycin. Imported quality products as well as cheaper generic drugs were tested. Fluoroquinolones were determined by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and quantified by fluorescence measurement and aminoglycosides were tested by using a fluorescence polarization immunoassay. RESULTS: All samples were found to contain the declared drug. Nine samples (27%) showed an under-concentration by 10% or less and ten (30%) showed an increased concentration of 10% or more than indicated on the label. 75% of the original drugs but only 12% of the generic drugs had measured concentrations within the standard advisory ranges of ± 5% from the nominal value. CONCLUSION: Our results provide no evidence for significant criminal counterfeiting of eye drops in the studied countries. The frequent deviation from the stated concentration in the generic samples is cause for concern and justifies further investigation.

[Comparing specific disc findings of a European and a Bantu population]. / Vergleich papillenspezifischer Parameter einer europäischen und einer Bantu-Population.

BACKGROUND: Glaucoma is the main cause of irreversible blindness in the world. Because of the increasing mean age, glaucoma is expected to become more common in the developing countries. Besides tonometry and perimetry the appearance of the optic nerve head is a main part of glaucoma diagnosis. Ethnic differences have to be considered. This study compares the appearance of the optic nerve head between blacks and whites. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective analysis of 225 whites of a Swiss population and 1027 blacks of a Congolese population. Using a matched pairs technique 207 whites and 207 blacks were chosen, regarding age, sex, intraocular pressure and examined eye (right/left). The analysis of the optic nerve head was performed by using the "Heidelberg-Retina-Tomograph II" (HRT). RESULTS: Among the 207 persons of both groups we found 116 females and 91 males. There were 103 right eyes and 104 left eyes examined. The mean age was 45.6 +/- 15.6 years. Compared with European population in the African population we found a greater disc area (2.56 vs. 1.81 mm(2)) as well as a greater cup area (0.65 vs. 0.41 mm(2)) and a greater rim area (1.91 vs. 1.40 mm(2)). Regarding the cup disc area ratio there was no significant difference between both populations found (Kinshasa: 0.24 vs. Basel: 0.21). Although there was no significant difference of the maximum cup depth of both groups we found a deeper mean cup depth in the African population. Furthermore, we found differences regarding the cup shape measure, the RNFL thickness and the height variation contour. CONCLUSION: As already described in different studies, there are significant differences in the morphology of the optic nerve head between blacks and whites. Although blacks are expected to have a greater cup disc area ratio, this fact could not be proved in this study. As a new fact we found a different mean cup depth between Africans and Europeans, which might be explained by the different cup shape of both populations.

Traitement local des plaies infectees par l'application de la muscuade

Les auteurs presentent dans cette etude les resultats du traitement des plaies suppurees par l'application locale de la muscuade. L'application renouvelee toutes les 8 heures pour les plaies tres infectees et toutes les 24 heures en general donne de resultats tres satisfaisants en ce qui concerne l'evolution des secretions et la cicatrisation. Les resultats obtenus sont superieurs a ceux observes avec l'application du Dakin 0;2 pour cent. En plus; aucun effet secondaire n'a ete observe avec la moscuade meme chez les diabetiques

Le traitement local des plaies infectees par l'application de la muscuade

Les auteurs presentent dans cette etude les resultats du traitement des plaies suppurees par l'application local de la muscuade. L'application renouvelee toutes les 8 heures pour les plaies tres infectees et toutes les 24 heures en general donne les resultats tres satisfaisants en ce qui concerne l'evolution des secretions et de la cicatrisation. Les resultats obtenus sont superieurs a ceux observes avec l'application du Dakin 0;2 pour cent. En plus; aucun effet secondaire n'a ete observe avec la muscuade meme chez les diabetiques