Long-term Outcomes of Modified 360-Degree Suture Trabeculotomy for Uveitic Glaucoma Compared With Primary Open Angle Glaucoma.

PRCIS: A Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed no significant differences in success rates between uveitic glaucoma (UG) and primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) 120 months after modified 360-degree suture trabeculotomy, which was effective for both groups in the long term. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the outcomes of modified 360-degree suture trabeculotomy in patients with UG as compared with those with POAG. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, nonrandomized, and comparative case series study. Modified 360-degree trabeculotomy using a 5-0 nylon suture (S-LOT) was performed on 51 eyes of 51 patients (54.4±13.4 y) with UG between October 2005 and January 2012 at Hokkaido University Hospital. Age-matched patients with POAG who underwent S-LOT during the same period were enrolled as controls. Written informed consent was obtained from all patients enrolled in the present study. Surgical success was defined as an intraocular pressure (IOP) <18 mm Hg with similar or lower doses of antiglaucoma medications. Kaplan-Meier survival curves of surgical failure were analyzed and compared between UG and POAG. RESULTS: The mean follow-up periods (±SD) for UG and POAG were 104.8±44.0 and 98.1±36.3 months ( P =0.23), respectively. Mean preoperative IOP in UG and POAG were 34.9±11.0 and 25.3±9.4 mm Hg ( P <0.001), respectively. After surgery, mean IOP in UG and POAG decreased to 12.0±4.1 and 13.8±3.2 mm Hg, respectively, at 60 months, and 12.1±5.6 and 12.4±1.8 mm Hg ( P =0.86), respectively, at 120 months. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed no significant differences in success rates between UG and POAG at the end of the follow-up (Log-rank test, P =0.13). Success rates in UG and POAG were 70.0 and 62.5% at 60 months, and 67.5 and 41.2% at 120 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that S-LOT is effective for UG and POAG alike.

Surgical Outcomes of Trabeculectomy in Uveitic Glaucoma: A Long-Term, Single-Center, Retrospective Case-Control Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term outcomes of trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (MMC-TLE) in patients with uveitic glaucoma (UG). Patients and Methods. This was a retrospective, nonrandomized case series study. MMC-TLE was performed on 50 eyes with UG between February 2001 and January 2015 at Hokkaido University Hospital. Age- and sex-matched patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) who underwent MMC-TLE were matched by age and sex and enrolled as controls. Surgical success was defined as an intraocular pressure (IOP) less than 18 or 15 mmHg. The Kaplan-Meier survival curves for surgical failure were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean preoperative IOP in UG and POAG was 27.6 ± 10.6 and 18.0 ± 4.5 mmHg, respectively. After the surgery, the mean IOP in UG and POAG was reduced to 11.7 ± 4.2 and 12.2 ± 3.8 mmHg at 12 months, 11.9 ± 7.0 and 12.1 ± 3.1 mmHg at 36 months, and 13.0 ± 5.2 and 10.6 ± 1.2 mmHg at 120 months, respectively. The success rates (IOP <18 mmHg, IOP reduction >20%) in UG and POAG were 91.7% and 88.0% at 12 months, 82.2% and 75.6% at 36 months, and 66.5% and 61.8% at 120 months, respectively. The success rates (IOP <15 mmHg) in UG and POAG were 64.0% and 58.0% at 12 months, 55.1% and 45.5% at 36 months, and 47.9% and 37.8% at 120 months, respectively. There was no significant difference in the success rate between UG and POAG at 120 months after surgery by either definition of surgical success. CONCLUSIONS: MMC-TLE effectively reduced IOP in both UG and POAG. There was no significant difference in the success rate between UG and POAG. Following sufficient inflammation suppression, surgical outcomes of UG may be comparable with those of POAG.

A case of pterygium-like proliferation containing postoperative limbal dermoid remnants: a clinicopathological study.

BACKGROUND: This study reports a case of pterygium-like proliferation containing postoperative limbal dermoid remnants and its clinicopathological features. CASE PRESENTATION: A 79-year-old Japanese woman, with a history of congenital limbal dermoid resection at age 12, presented with a pterygium-like tissue growth in the left eye. Its temporal location and marked thickness with abundant fatty droplets were atypical of primary pterygium. We performed pterygium surgery and ocular surface reconstruction. Pathological findings included squamous metaplasia, neovessels, and elastic degeneration, as well as prominent subepithelial and stromal accumulation of collagen fibers, adipose tissue formation, and presence of a peripheral nerve corresponded with the frequent findings of limbal dermoid. Ki67, a marker for cell proliferation, was immunopositive in pterygial epithelial cells and neovascular endothelial cells, but not in dermoid components. CONCLUSIONS: Although the pathological finding of degenerative elastic fibers indicated the common feature of ultraviolet-induced pterygium, clinical appearances were atypical possibly due to modification with dermoid remnants.

Receptor-Associated Prorenin System in the Trabecular Meshwork of Patients with Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma and Neovascular Glaucoma.

The receptor-associated prorenin system (RAPS) is associated with several pathologic conditions, including diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and uveitis. Here, we show the involvement of RAPS in the trabecular meshwork (TM) from patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and neovascular glaucoma (NVG) due to proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Anterior chamber (AC) levels of prorenin significantly increased in both POAG and NVG, as did those of angiotensin II in NVG alone, compared to cataract. In surgically excised TM tissues, (pro)renin receptor ((P)RR) and angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) co-localized with prorenin and angiotensinogen, respectively. In screening for various genes related to glaucoma, prorenin stimulation to human TM cells exclusively upregulated cell junction constituents connexin 43 and zona occludens 1, while downregulating an extracellular matrix-degrading enzyme tissue plasminogen activator, all of which were reversed by (P)RR blockade. In contrast, angiotensin II application upregulated a pro-angiogenic factor placental growth factor alone, which was abolished by AT1R blockade. Consistently, (P)RR and AT1R co-localized with these corresponding proteins in patient TM tissues. Oxidative stress, a known etiology for glaucoma, induced the expression of prorenin and angiotensinogen in human TM cells. These data suggest the contribution of RAPS to the molecular pathogenesis of POAG and NVG through TM tissue remodeling and AC angle angiogenesis.

Changes in Intraocular Pressure in Single Ventricle Patients After the Glenn or Fontan Procedure.

PRéCIS:: A positive correlation was observed between intraocular pressure (IOP) and central venous pressure (CVP) in patients with single ventricle (SV) during the perioperative period. IOP needs to be carefully monitored in the postoperative period after the Glenn and Fontan procedures, particularly the Glenn procedure. PURPOSE: SV is a cardiac malformation characterized by the existence of only 1 functional ventricle and is treated using the Glenn and Fontan procedures. Significant changes occur in CVP after these procedures. IOP has been reported to differ in the same individual when measured in a seated or supine position, which may be related to CVP. In the present study, we examined the relationship between CVP and IOP before and after surgery for SV. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was a prospective, nonrandomized case series. All patients had SV and this study excluded those with eye diseases associated with ocular hypertension. We measured IOP before and after the Glenn or Fontan procedure. CVP was concurrently monitored. RESULTS: Twenty-eight eyes of 14 patients with SV who underwent the Glenn (N=8) or Fontan (N=6) procedure were examined. Mean ages (±SD) were 2.6±0.7 months for the Glenn procedure and 24.0±2.7 months for the Fontan procedure. A correlation was observed between CVP and IOP in the perioperative period. IOP and CVP were both significantly higher after than before the Glenn and/or Fontan procedures. However, no relationship was noted between changes in IOP and CVP after the Glenn and/or Fontan procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Elevations in CVP significantly increased IOP in patients with SV who underwent the Glenn or Fontan procedure. IOP needs to be carefully monitored in the postoperative period after both procedures.

Corneal hyperalgesia in patients with short tear film break-up time dry eye.

PURPOSE: To evaluate corneal tactile and pain sensations in patients with short tear film break-up time dry eye (sBUT DE). METHODS: This study enrolled 60 patients with sBUT DE and 46 healthy volunteers from Japan. We evaluated corneal tactile and pain sensations using a modified method with the Cochet-Bonnet corneal esthesiometer. RESULTS: Patients with sBUT DE had higher corneal pain sensitivity (26.3 ±â€¯23.1 mm) than healthy subjects (6.9 ±â€¯16.4 mm), but similar corneal tactile sensation (52.0 ±â€¯15.5 mm and 52.9 ±â€¯14.9 mm, respectively). In patients with sBUT DE and corneal hyperalgesia (n = 22, 36.7%), defined as a pain sensitivity ≥40 mm (i.e., the cutoff value at the 95th percentile of corneal pain sensitivity in healthy subjects), a strong significant correlation was found between the subjective pain score and objective corneal pain sensation (R = 0.79). However, for the entire cohort, we found a weak positive correlation between the subjective pain score and objective corneal pain sensation. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with sBUT DE were hypersensitive to corneal pain, which suggested that corneal hyperalgesia partly accounted for subjective symptoms in patients with sBUT DE.

Catastrophic Thermal Corneoscleral Injury Treated with Transplantation of Donor Scleral Graft.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to report a patient with senile cataract developing severe thermal corneoscleral injury during phacoemulsification, which was treated with a donor scleral graft. CASE: Severe thermal corneoscleral injury occurred during phacoemulsification in the right eye of a 74-year-old male. His medical history was prostate hypertrophy. Visual acuity was hand motion and the intraocular pressure was 3 mm Hg OD. There was heavy corneal stromal opacity with intraocular fluid leakage. The patient underwent transplantation of a donor scleral graft to the burn site. Histologically, the injured sclera showed coagulation necrosis without inflammatory cell infiltration. An intraocular lens was eventually fixed in the ciliary sulcus 7 months later. His visual acuity remains at 2/20 OD. CONCLUSIONS: Transplantation of the donor scleral grafts is useful to close the wound in catastrophic thermal injury.

Histological Findings in the Trabecular Meshwork of a Patient with Atopic Glaucoma.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to report a case of atopic dermatitis showing elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) beyond the baseline levels followed by a modified 360-degree suture trabeculotomy, and to analyze the histological findings in the trabecular meshwork. METHODS: A 40-year-old male suffered from blurred vision in the right eye (OD). He had a medical history of severe atopic dermatitis and intraocular lens implantation OU due to atopic cataract. At the initial presentation, the visual acuity was 0.03, and IOP was 35 mmHg OD. Slit-lamp examination demonstrated corneal epithelial edema OD. Increased IOP was refractory to several topical medications. The patient underwent a modified 360-degree suture trabeculotomy. The visual field defect, however, deteriorated with persistently high IOP. The patient underwent trabeculectomy together with drainage implant surgery. In the outflow routes, although there seemed to be an opening of Schlemm's canal into the anterior chamber, there was no endothelium of the canal in the region of its opening. The fibrotic changes were conspicuous around Schlemm's canal. CONCLUSION: The histological results indicated that trabeculotomy might not be an appropriate treatment for patients with atopic glaucoma, possibly because of excessive repair to the newly created uveoscleral outflow in addition to the increased postoperative fibrosis in the trabecular meshwork and Schlemm's canal.

Evaluation of the Safety and Tolerability of Conjunctival Ring for Posterior Segment of the Eye.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and tolerability of conjunctival rings (CRs), a novel device for drug delivery to the posterior segment of the eye. METHODS: In animal studies, CRs containing 5% dexamethasone sodium phosphate (DSP) or vehicle solution were placed on the right and left eyes of C57BL/6J mice, respectively. Contact lenses (CLs) containing vehicle solution were used as a control. Twenty-four hours after placement of the CRs, corneal fluorescein staining was graded based on the McDonald-Shadduck scoring system, ranging from 0 to 4. In humans, CRs containing vehicle solution were placed on the right eye of healthy volunteers for 9 hours. The corneal curvature, corneal thickness, intraocular pressure, visual acuity, tear production (Schirmer I test), tear film break-up time and fluorescein staining scores of the cornea (scores ranging from 0 to 3) and conjunctiva (scores ranging from 0 to 6) were assessed before and after wearing the CRs. The release characteristics of DSP from CRs were also evaluated. RESULTS: In animal experiments, corneal fluorescein staining scores were 1 or less in all the groups, and there was no significant difference between the CR group and the CL group. In the preclinical safety evaluation of CR for humans, ophthalmic examination revealed that CR caused no significant changes in all the parameters investigated including corneal curvature (p = 0.77), corneal thickness (p = 0.96), intraocular pressure (p = 0.59), visual acuity (p = 0.14), Schirmer I test results (p = 0.76), tear film break-up time (p = 0.68), corneal fluorescein staining scores (p = 0.64), and conjunctival fluorescein staining scores (p = 0.52). The DSP release from CRs occurs within a few hours, which is similar to the drug-release property of medicated CL, as reported previously. CONCLUSIONS: The current data showed the safety and tolerability of CR as a drug delivery device for the treatment of posterior segment diseases.

Modified 360-degree suture trabeculotomy combined with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation for glaucoma and coexisting cataract.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy and safety of a modified 360-degree suture trabeculotomy combined with a cataract surgery technique in patients with glaucoma and coexisting cataract. SETTING: Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: Medical records of patients with glaucoma having a modified 360-degree trabeculotomy combined with cataract surgery (Group 1) were reviewed. Another group of patients who had the modified 360-degree suture trabeculotomy alone served as controls (Group 2). RESULTS: Both groups comprised 46 patients. In each group, eyes were diagnosed with primary angle-closure glaucoma in 2 eyes, primary open-angle glaucoma in 24 eyes, exfoliation glaucoma in 4 eyes, uveitic glaucoma in 15 eyes, and steroid glaucoma in 1 eye. The mean preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) values were 27.2 mm Hg ± 7.3 (SD) on 3.0 ± 0.5 medications in Group 1 and 27.7 ± 10.7 mm Hg on 2.9 ± 0.6 medications in Group 2. Twelve months after surgery, the mean IOPs were 13.4 ± 3.7 mm Hg on 0.8 ± 1.1 medications in Group 1 and 13.9 ± 4.1 mm Hg on 0.6 ± 0.9 medications in Group 2. The success rate (<18 mm Hg) at 12 months was 89.1% and 93.5%, respectively. Major complications included transient IOP spikes (30.4% and 37.0%) and prolonged hyphema (10.9% and 6.5%) in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively. CONCLUSION: The data showed the equivalent effects of suture trabeculotomy combined with cataract surgery and suture trabeculotomy surgery alone on postoperative safety and efficacy. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: None of the authors has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor-C by tumor necrosis factor-α in the conjunctiva and pterygium.

Vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) plays an important role in the development of a pterygium through lymphangiogenesis. We examined the association between VEGF-C and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the pathogenesis of pterygia. Cultured conjunctival epithelial cells were treated with TNF-α, and the gene expression levels of VEGFC were evaluated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and VEGF-C protein expression levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, using ELISA, we evaluated the VEGF-C protein expression in the supernatants of cultured conjunctival epithelial cells, in which we neutralized TNF-α using anti­TNF-α antibody. The gene expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, member 1A (TNFRSF1A), known as TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1), was confirmed using reverse transcription PCR in cultured conjunctival epithelial cells. Immunofluorescence microscopy was used to examine the localization of VEGF-C and TNFR1 in pterygium tissues and TNFR1 expression in cultured conjunctival epithelial cells. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the localization of TNFR1 in pterygia and normal conjunctival tissues. VEGFC gene expression increased in cultured conjunctival epithelial cells 24 h after the addition of TNF-α. The secretion of VEGF-C protein was significantly increased 48 h after the stimulation of cultured conjunctival epithelial cells with TNF-α. Increased VEGF-C protein secretion stimulated by TNF-α was significantly reduced by anti-TNF-α neutralizing antibody treatment. In cultured conjunctival epithelial cells, TNFRSF1A and TNFR1 were expressed. TNFR1 was immunolocalized in normal conjunctival tissues and in human pterygium tissues as well as in VEGF­C­positive epithelial cells from human pterygia. Our data demonstrate that TNF-α mediates VEGF-C expression, which plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of pterygia.

Continuous Intraocular Pressure Monitoring During Nocturnal Sleep in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome.

PURPOSE: To evaluate intraocular pressure (IOP) changes during nocturnal sleep in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) using a contact lens sensor (CLS). METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study. Seven OSAS patients who had no ocular diseases except mild cataract were enrolled. Each subject underwent CLS-based continuous IOP monitoring on one eye simultaneously with overnight polysomnography. We classified the nocturnal IOP records into nonapnea IOP and apnea IOP, according to the duration of apnea events on polysomnography within each IOP measurement time of 30 seconds every 5 minutes. RESULTS: Differences between IOP levels during nonapnea and apnea phases were statistically analyzed. The mean apnea-hypopnea index, the total number of these events per hour of sleep, was 44.2 ± 21.0, indicating the participants' severity of OSAS as moderate to severe. The mean range of IOP fluctuations during nocturnal sleep was 262.3 ± 59.5 mV eq. All patients showed lower mean IOP levels during apnea events than during nonapnea phases, with statistically significant differences detected in four of the seven patients. On average, in all seven eyes, IOP values significantly decreased by 23.1 ± 16.4 mV eq in association with apnea events. CONCLUSIONS: Obstructive apnea led to an immediate IOP decline during nocturnal sleep in patients with OSAS. Attention should be paid to IOP-independent etiology, such as episodic hypoxia, potentially linking OSAS and glaucoma.

The effects of 2% rebamipide ophthalmic solution on the tear functions and ocular surface of the superoxide dismutase-1 (sod1) knockout mice.

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy of 2% rebamipide ophthalmic solution on the tear functions and ocular surface status of the superoxide dismutase-1(Sod1(-/-)) mice. METHODS: Two percent Rebamipide ophthalmic solution was applied to 40-week-old male Sod1(-/-) and wild-type (WT) mice four times a day for 2 weeks. We examined the cytokine concentrations in the tear fluid (by CytoBead assay), tear film break-up time, amount of tear production, and expressions of mucins 1, 4, and 5AC, by RT-PCR. We also performed vital staining of the ocular surface, PAS staining for muc5AC, and immunohistochemical stainings for 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE), 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), in the conjunctiva to compare the results before and after rebamipide instillations. RESULTS: The tear functions and ocular surface epithelial damage scores were significantly worse in the Sod1(-/-) than in the WT mice. Application of 2% rebamipide for 2 weeks significantly improved the tear film break-up time, the amount of tear production, and the corneal epithelial damage scores, which also significantly increased the conjunctival goblet cell density and muc5 mRNA expression, in the Sod1(-/-) mice. The mean IL-6, IL-17, TNF-α, and IFN-γ levels in the tear fluid were reduced significantly along with a significant decrease in the density of cells positive for 4-HNE and 8-OHdG in the conjunctiva. CONCLUSIONS: Two percent Rebamipide ophthalmic solution significantly improved the tear stability and corneal epithelial damage, and enhanced the expression of muc5 mRNA on the ocular surface. We also observed anti-inflammatory effects in the tear film together with antioxidative effects in the conjunctiva, suggesting the efficacy of rebamipide in age-related dry eye disease attributable to SOD1 knockout.

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor C in human pterygium.

Vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) and its receptor VEGFR-3 mediate lymphangiogenesis. In this study, we analyzed the expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 as well as lymphatic vessels in the pterygium and normal conjunctiva of humans. Fifteen primary nasal pterygia and three normal bulbar conjunctivas, surgically removed, were examined in this study. The lymphatic vessel density (LVD) and blood vessel density were determined by the immunolabeling of D2-40 and CD31, markers for lymphatic and blood vessels, respectively. VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 expression in pterygial and conjunctival tissue proteins was detected by Western blotting and were evaluated using immunohistochemistry. The LVD was significantly higher in the pterygium than normal conjunctiva (p < 0.05). Western blot demonstrated high-level expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 in the pterygium compared with normal conjunctiva. VEGF-C immunoreactivity was detected in the cytoplasm of pterygial and normal conjunctival epithelial cells. The number of VEGF-C-immunopositive cells in pterygial epithelial cells was significantly higher than in normal conjunctival cells (p < 0.05). VEGFR-3 immunoreactivity was localized in the D2-40-positive lymphatic endothelial cells. The present findings suggest the potential role of VEGF-C in the pathogenesis and development of a pterygium through lymphangiogenesis and the VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 pathway as a novel therapeutic target for the human pterygium.

Amelioration of ultraviolet-induced photokeratitis in mice treated with astaxanthin eye drops.

PURPOSE: Ultraviolet (UV) acts as low-dose ionizing radiation. Acute UVB exposure causes photokeratitis and induces apoptosis in corneal cells. Astaxanthin (AST) is a carotenoid, present in seafood, that has potential clinical applications due to its high antioxidant activity. In the present study, we examined whether topical administration of AST has preventive and therapeutic effects on UV-photokeratitis in mice. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were administered with AST diluted in polyethylene glycol (PEG) in instillation form (15 µl) to the right eye. Left eyes were given vehicle alone as controls. Immediately after the instillation, the mice, under anesthesia, were irradiated with UVB at a dose of 400 mJ/cm². Eyeballs were collected 24 h after irradiation and stained with H&E and TUNEL. In an in vitro study, mouse corneal epithelial (TKE2) cells were cultured with AST before UV exposure to quantify the UV-derived cytotoxicity. RESULTS: UVB exposure induced cell death and thinning of the corneal epithelium. However, the epithelium was morphologically well preserved after irradiation in AST-treated corneas. Irradiated corneal epithelium was significantly thicker in eyes treated with AST eye drops, compared to those treated with vehicles (p<0.01), in a doses dependent manner. Significantly fewer apoptotic cells were observed in AST-treated eyes than controls after irradiation (p<0.01). AST also reduced oxidative stress in irradiated corneas. The in vitro study showed less cytotoxicity of TKE2 cells in AST-treated cultures after UVB-irradiation (p<0.01). The cytoprotective effect increased with the dose of AST. CONCLUSIONS: Topical AST administration may be a candidate treatment to limit the damages by UV irradiation with wide clinical applications.

Clinical features of adenoviral conjunctivitis at the early stage of infection.

PURPOSE: Because adenoviral conjunctivitis is a contagious disease, prompt and accurate diagnosis in the early stage of infection is necessary to prevent epidemics. We evaluated and compared the clinical features of adenoviral conjunctivitis at the first medical examination with those of nonadenoviral follicular conjunctivitis. METHODS: The clinical features of 102 patients with suspected adenoviral conjunctivitis at the first medical examination were retrospectively reviewed. Human adenovirus (HAdV) DNA in samples from the patients was detected by polymerase chain reaction, and HAdV DNA-positive and HAdV DNA-negative patients were respectively assigned to adenoviral and nonadenoviral follicular conjunctivitis groups. The two groups were compared for bilaterality, intrafamilial infection, multiple subepithelial corneal infiltrates (MSI), preauricular lymphadenopathy, and severity of conjunctivitis. RESULTS: Adenoviral conjunctivitis and nonadenoviral conjunctivitis were diagnosed in 68 and 34 patients, respectively. Bilaterality, intrafamilial infection, and MSI showed significant intergroup differences. Remarkably, MSI was observed in 42.6% of the patients in the early stage of infection. There were no significant intergroup differences in preauricular lymphadenopathy or severity of conjunctivitis at any stage. CONCLUSIONS: To accurately diagnose adenoviral conjunctivitis in the early stage, bilateral conjunctival conditions, history of intrafamilial infection, and MSI should be checked, even in cases of mild or moderate follicular conjunctivitis.

Molecular epidemiology of adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis in Saudi Arabia.

PURPOSE: Adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis is a major cause of ocular morbidity and may lead to visual loss. Adenovirus types 8, 19, and 37 may cause epidemic keratoconjunctivitis. The main objective of this study was to determine the types of adenoviruses causing keratoconjunctivitis in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: We conducted a non-interventional observational clinical study. Seventy three eyes from 65 patients who presented to The Eye Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with clinical features of acute adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis were included. Each patient underwent complete clinical examination and features such as membranous reaction, conjunctival hemorrhage, subepithelial corneal infiltrates, and preauricular lymph node enlargement were recorded. Conjunctival swabs were obtained from patients with presumed acute viral conjunctivitis. Immunochromatography (IC) and restriction fragment length polymorphism polymerase chain reaction (PCR-RFLP) were performed on the conjunctival swabs obtained from each eye. Serotype identification was performed using direct sequencing technique. RESULTS: Forty-nine (67.1%) were adenovirus type 8, 8 (11.0%) were adenovirus type 3, 6 (8.2%) type 37, 5 (6.8%) were adenovirus type 4, and 2 (2.3%) type 19. The remaining 5 were types 14, 19, and 22. The prevalence of membranous conjunctivitis was highest (83%) among eyes with adenovirus type 37 while subepithelial corneal opacities were most commonly seen among eyes with adenovirus type 8 (47%). Immunochromatography tests were positive for adenovirus in 48 (65.7%) out of 73 eyes. CONCLUSIONS: This study determined the types of adenoviruses causing keratoconjunctivitis at one center in Saudi Arabia. Direct sequencing techniques is an efficient, accurate, and rapid means of diagnosing adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis. The most common causes of adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis in Saudi Arabia were adenovirus types 8, 3, and 37. Membranous conjunctivitis and subepithelial opacities had the highest frequency of adenovirus types 37 and 8, respectively. Lymph nodes enlargement was least likely in adenovirus type 4.

[Pathogenesis of infectious conjunctivitis in Nepal].

PURPOSE: We investigated human adenovirus (HAdV) and Chlamydia trachomatis in patients with infectious conjunctivitis in Nepal. METHOD: We obtained swabs from 6 patients with infectious conjunctivitis in a remote area near the Indian border (group A), and from 30 patients at the B. P. Koirala Eye Center of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu (group B). Rapid diagnosis of HAdV was conducted in Nepal, using Capilia adeno eye (Capilia), a rapid adenoviral antigen diagnostic kit using immunochromatography. Residual swabs were brought to Japan and examined for HAdV and Chlamydia trachomatis using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Etiological analysis of 214 patients with trachoma was also investigated by PCR. RESULTS: Capilia results were negative for the six samples of group A and positive for 13 patients (43%) in group B. PCR showed one (17%) as positive in group A and 30 (100%)in group B. The serotype of all HAdV positive samples was HAdV-8. C serovar of Chlamydia trachomatis was detected in ninety seven cases out of 214 patients with trachoma. CONCLUSION: HAdV-8 and Chlamydia trachomatis serotype C seem to be prevalent in Nepal.

Nucleotide sequence variation in the hexon gene of human adenovirus type 8 and 37 strains from epidemic keratoconjunctivitis patients in Japan.

Human adenovirus type 8 (HAdV-8) and 37 (HAdV-37) cause epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) associated with community-acquired and nosocomial infections. The nucleotide sequences of the entire hexon and fiber genes of eight HAdV-8 and 26 HAdV-37 strains were analysed and the transition mutations in each gene were compared among strains. Compared with prototype strains, the hexon gene of HAdV-8 and -37 strains showed between two and seven and one and twelve variations at nine and 21 different positions, respectively. All of these, except one position in HAdV-37, were located in the conserved region 4 (C4). There were only three polymorphisms in the fiber gene of both HAdV-8 and HAdV-37, fewer than those in C4. The nucleotide sequence of HAdV-8 and -37 C4 might be readily modified during EKC epidemics.