ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine whether genetic polymorphism of complement factor H (CFH) is associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the Japanese population. METHODS: Genomic DNA was examined in a cohort of 67 Japanese patients with AMD and 107 controls. TT/TC/CC genotypes on exon 9 were screened for sequence alternation by polymerase chain reaction analysis and through sequencing. RESULTS: The mean ages +/- SD of AMD patients and control subjects were 73 +/- 8.5 years and 72 +/- 8.7 years, respectively. There was no significant difference between CFH genotypes in the AMD group (TT, 76%; TC, 19%; CC, 5%) and the control group (TT, 80%; TC, 17%; CC, 3%). The frequencies of T and C alleles were 86% and 14%, respectively, in the AMD group and 89% and 11%, respectively, in the control group. CONCLUSION: CFH gene polymorphism is not associated with AMD in the Japanese population. Moreover, the frequency of the C allele is low among the Japanese population.
Subject(s)
Macular Degeneration/genetics , Aged , Alleles , Asian People/genetics , Complement Factor H/genetics , DNA Mutational Analysis , Female , Genotype , Humans , Japan/ethnology , Male , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Polymorphism, GeneticABSTRACT
We conducted a retrospective, hospital-based study of patients who were diagnosed with bacterial endophthalmitis on admission to the Department of Ophthalmology, Hiroshima University Hospital, between January 1999 and December 2003. Thirty eyes of 30 patients were identified. Of these patients, 19 eyes had postoperative endophthalmitis, 8 eyes had penetrating trauma and 3 eyes were infected from an endogenous source. All of the patients underwent immediate three-port pars plana vitrectomy. Vitreous specimens of diabetic patients demonstrated a significantly higher incidence of positive bacterial culture. Diabetic vitreous appeared to be a good medium for culture. Visual acuity of hand motion or less at the latest follow-up visit was associated with the presence of diabetes. Prompt treatment with vitrectomy and intra-vitreal antibiotics is crucial for patients with bacterial endophthalmitis, especially if they are diabetic.
