AMNIOTIC MEMBRANE TRANSPLANTATION AT THE DEPARTMENT OF OPHTHALMOLOGY OF THE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL BRNO.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the work is a discussion of amniotic membrane transplantation at the Eye Clinic of the University Hospital Brno and a retrospective evaluation of a group of patients for the period 2014-2019 who were treated for various indications. METHODS: Retrospective evaluation of the number and effectiveness of individual types of amniotic membrane in a group of patients after amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) for various indications. A total of 134 patients were included in the study group, of which 68 were men and 66 were women. The median age was 70 years. The total number of amniotic membrane transplants performed during the selected six years was 139, with half the distribution using frozen (69 eyes) and lyophilized amniotic membrane (70 eyes). The AMT technique was chosen based on the initial finding and diagnosis. The type of amniotic membrane used (lyophilized vs. frozen) depended on the urgency of the procedure. RESULTS: The number of amniotic membrane transplantations was evaluated in a group of 134 patients (139 eyes) and their effectiveness in individual diagnoses was demonstrated. During the follow-up period, more transplantations of amniotic membranes were performed during hospitalization than in the outpatient department, both types of membranes (frozen and lyophilized). Amniotic membrane transplantation during hospitalization was performed in 89 eyes, in the outpatient mode in 50 eyes. Indications for amniotic membrane transplantation included microperforation and corneal perforation (30 eyes), non-healing corneal defects (21 eyes), descemetocele (19 eyes), neurotrophic defects (16 eyes), ablation of pterygium (12 eyes) and corneal lysis (11 eyes). eyes). Other conditions (conjunctival lesions, fornix reconstruction, burns, peripheral ulcerative keratitis, ocular cicatricial pemphigoid and keratectomy) were represented in smaller numbers. Despite the very diverse group of indications and the advanced age of the patients, a very good efficacy of the performed amniotic membrane transplantations was found. Some patients died during the follow-up period, so the limitation of work is short and unequal follow-up period. CONCLUSION: The success of the procedure depends not only on the correct timing, indication and technique of transplantation, but also on patient compliance and well-functioning cooperation of regional ophthalmologists.

Evaluation of the infB and rpsB gene fragments as genetic markers intended for identification and phylogenetic analysis of particular representatives of the order Lactobacillales.

Detailed differentiation, classification, and phylogenetic analysis of the order Lactobacillales are performed using molecular techniques that involve the comparison of whole genomes, multilocus sequence analysis, DNA-DNA hybridisation, and 16S rRNA sequencing. Despite the wide application of the latter two techniques, issues associated with them are extensively discussed. Although complete genomic analyses are the most appropriate for phylogenetic studies, they are time-consuming and require high levels of expertise. Many phylogenetic/identification markers have been proposed for enterococci, lactobacilli, streptococci, and lactobacilli. However, none have been established for vagococci and some genera within the order Lactobacillales. The objective of the study was to find novel alternative housekeeping genes for classification, typing, and phylogenetic analysis of selected genera within the order Lactobacillales. We designed primers flanking variable regions of the infB (504 nt) and rpsB (333 nt) genes and amplified and sequenced them in 56 strains of different genera within the order Lactobacillales. Statistical analysis and characteristics of the gene regions suggested that they could be used for taxonomic purposes. Phylogenetic analyses, including assessment of (in)congruence between individual phylogenetic trees indicated the possibility of using the concatenation of the two genes as an alternative tool for the evaluation of phylogeny compared with the 16S rRNA gene representing the standard phylogenetic marker of prokaryotes. Moreover, infB, rpsB regions and their concatenate were phylogenetically consistent with two widely applied alternative genetic markers in taxonomy of particular Lactobacillales genera encoding the 60 kDa chaperonin protein (GroEL-hsp60) and phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase, alpha subunit (pheS).

Implantation of posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens for myopia and hyperopia - long-term clinical outcomes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate long-term refractive outcomes of implantable collamer lens (ICL) implantation and late postoperative complications. METHODS: We assessed outcomes of patients who underwent ICL implantation (type ICM V4 for myopia, ICH V3 for hyperopia, TICM V4 for astigmatism) in our department between 1998 and 2013. It comprised 62 eyes (40 myopic and 22 hyperopic). The average follow-up period was 10.5 years. We evaluated: uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuity (UCVA and BCVA), spherical equivalent (SE), ICL vault, endothelial cell density and late postoperative complications. RESULTS: In myopes, the average UCVA was 1.0±0.37 and BCVA 1.18±0.38, in hyperopes 0.78±0.19 and 1.14±0.18, respectively. The average SE in myopes, whose target refraction was emmetropia, was -0.6±0.83 Dsf, in hyperopes +0.73±0.93. Central ICL vault was 206.16µm±105.94, (range 10-427) in myopes, 195.5µm±109.09, (range 20-404) in hyperopes. The most common late postoperative complication was cataract formation. Three myopic eyes (7.5%) developed symptomatic anterior subcapsular opacities with loss of at least two lines of BCVA. Cataract significantly affecting visual acuity occurred in 5 myopic eyes (12.5%) and 2 hyperopic eyes (9.09%). In these eyes, ICL removal and cataract surgery was performed. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, ICL implantation in moderate and high ametropia was effective and relatively safe. The most common late complication was cataract formation. This complication can be managed effectively surgically with good refractive outcomes without loss of BCVA.

Incidence of cataract following implantation of a posterior-chamber phakic lens ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) - long-term results.

AIM: To evaluate late postoperative complications, especially cataract occurrence, its morphological type and factors affecting its development in patients implanted with ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens). METHODS: We analysed the results of ICL implantation in 34 patients (type ICM V4 for myopia, ICH V3 for hyperopia, TICM V4 for astigmatism) in our department between 1998 and 2013. The cohort comprised 62 eyes (40 myopic and 22 hyperopic). Seven eyes with a toric ICL implanted were included in these groups according to spherical equivalent (SE). The average follow-up period was 10.5 ± 3.5 years. We examined uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuity (UCVA and BCVA), SE, ICL vaulting (using anterior segment OCT) and occurrence of late postoperative complications, especially cataract formation in 2 groups of patients - myopes and hyperopes. RESULTS: Among the most common late postoperative complications were pigment dispersion syndrome in 27 eyes, 43.5% (12 myopic eyes and 15 hyperopic eyes) and cataract formation. Lens opacities, including opacities without loss of BCVA, were observed in 18 eyes (29%). Opacities affecting visual acuity were observed in 10 eyes (16.1%). Cataract significantly affecting visual acuity occurred in 7 eyes, i.e. 11.3% (5 myopic eyes and 2 hyperopic eyes). In these eyes, ICL removal and cataract surgery with implantation of posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC IOL) was performed. The most common morphological type of cataract were anterior subcapsular opacities (83.3%), the average time of onset was 3.4 ± 1.9 years after ICL implantation. We did not prove a statistically significant association either between cataract occurrence and age at the time of surgery, or between cataract occurrence and higher preoperative spherical equivalent. We did not prove a significant association between cataract occurrence and low vault, however in 7 eyes after cataract surgery and ICL removal we do not know the vault values. In one eye uveitis with cystoid macular oedema was observed, in two highly myopic eyes repeated ICL dislocation and cataract occurred. In both of these cases the ICL was removed. CONCLUSIONS: According to our experience, implantation of ICL in moderate and high ametropia was relatively safe upon assessing the long-term outcomes. Among the most common complications were pigment dispersion syndrome and anterior subcapsular cataract formation. Cataract can be managed effectively surgically with good refractive outcomes without loss of BCVA. However, loss of accommodation after cataract surgery and risk of vitreoretinal complications must be considered.Key words: ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens), posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens, refractive surgery, cataract occurrence.

Anticlostridial agent 8-hydroxyquinoline improves the isolation of faecal bifidobacteria on modified Wilkins-Chalgren agar with mupirocin.

UNLABELLED: The need for suitable selective cultivation media for the isolation of Bifidobacterium spp. continues to be a real concern in the field of intestinal microbiology. Isolation of bifidobacteria from human and animal faecal samples using selective agar plating may be problematic especially in samples with increased clostridial counts than bifidobacterial counts. Due to the absence of anticlostridial agents in existing selective media, clostridia can displace bifidobacteria resulting in incorrect estimation of their counts. Therefore, we supplemented the existing selective medium 'modified Wilkins Chalgren agar with mupirocin' (MWM) with 90 mg l(-1) of 8-hydroxyquinoline (8HQ), which was recently proved to act selectively against clostridia. The newly composed 'modified Wilkins-Chalgren agar with 8HQ' (MWMQ) was tested on pure bifidobacterial and clostridial strains, their mixtures, and using faecal samples of mammalian origin; its selectivity was evaluated by genus-specific identification of isolates. The results demonstrated that the presence of 8HQ in this agar eliminated the growth of nonbifidobacterial strains on MWMQ compared to that on MWM, whereas the recovery of bifidobacterial counts was at satisfactory levels. In conclusion, MWMQ could be recommended for bifidobacterial isolation from human and animal faeces especially when bifidobacteria are not numerically dominant and there are chances of clostridial contamination. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Routine isolation of bifidobacteria from mammalian faeces does not use a reliable selective agar with an anticlostridial agent. Overgrowth of clostridia may result in incorrect estimation of bifidobacterial counts. Thus, in order to improve the selectivity of existing media for bifidobacterial isolation, we chose the modified Wilkins-Chalgren agar with mupirocin and supplemented it with 8-hydroxyquinoline (8HQ), a molecule that shows anticlostridial activity without affecting the growth of bifidobacteria. This newly composed medium showed enhanced selectivity and specificity compared to the original medium and therefore, can be recommended for the isolation of bifidobacteria from mammal faeces.

In vitro growth-inhibitory effect of ethanol GRAS plant and supercritical CO2 hop extracts on planktonic cultures of oral pathogenic microorganisms.

Conventional chemical antiseptics used for treatment of oral infections often produce side-effects, which restrict their long-term use. Plants are considered as perspective sources of novel natural antiseptics. However, little is still known about their inhibitory properties against oral pathogens. The objective of this study was to test in vitro antimicrobial activities of generally recognized as safe (GRAS) species against planktonic cultures of cariogenic, periodontal and candidal microorganisms and identify active compounds of the most active extracts. Growth-inhibitory effects of ethanol extracts from 109 GRAS plant species, six Humulus lupulus cultivars and two hop supercritical CO2 extracts were evaluated using broth microdilution method. The chemical analysis was done through high-performance liquid chromatography. Best results were obtained for supercritical CO2 and ethanol extracts of H. lupulus with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) ≥8 µg/mL and ≥16 µg/mL, respectively. The chemical analysis of supercritical CO2H. lupulus extracts revealed that α- and ß-acids were their main constituents. Capsicum annuum and Capsicum frutescens showed antibacterial effect against Streptococcus sobrinus and Streptococcus salivarius (MIC=64-128 µg/mL). These strains were further inhibited by Zanthoxylum clava-herculis (MIC=64-128 µg/mL) and Myristica fragrans (both MIC≥128 µg/mL). The latter also exhibited antimicrobial activity against Fusobacterium nucleatum (MIC=64 µg/mL). Punica granatum possessed inhibitory effects against Candida albicans (MIC=128 µg/mL) and F. nucleatum (MIC=64 µg/mL). The results indicate that supercritical CO2H. lupulus extracts together with ethanol extracts of C. annuum, C. frutescens, M. fragrans, P. granatum and Z. clava-herculis are promising materials for further investigation on new antiseptic agents of oral care products.

[Treatment of Keratoconus with Corneal Cross-linking--Results and Complications in 2 Years Follow-up]. / Corneal cross-linking v liecbe keratokónusu--výsledky a komplikácie v dvojrocnom sledovaní.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to assessment of changes of monitored parameters after CXL. Incidence of complications were assessed in the whole group and in groups of patients divided according to the selected criteria. Evaluated parameters were also relations between them and in time. METHODS: The 86 eyes of patients with progressive keratoconus who underwent CXL according to the Dresden protocol in the years 2007-2009 at the Ophthalmic clinic FN Brno Bohunice were included in this study. RESULTS: There was observed significant increase of BCVA (letters--before CXL 42,30±10,35, 1st year after CXL (1Y) 44,68±10,04, p<0,01, 2nd year after CXL (2Y) 44,44±10,57, p<0,01) and SE (-5,95±3,98D, -5,27±3,84D, p<0,01, -4,94±3,68D, p<0,01), and decrease of maximum curvature of the cornea (MAX--before CXL 50,39±4,17D, 1Y 49,46±4,13D, p<0,01, 2Y 49,42±4,14D, p<0,01). Change of ultrasound CCT, polymegatisms, pleomorfisms and corneal endothelial cell density was not significant. The value of MAX is the most important parameter in estimating the effect of CXL. The highest incidence of corneal opacity after CXL was observed in the eyes of patients with III. stage of keratoconus over 40 years old, carrying hard contact lenses and with biomikroskopic symptom of keratoconus on the cornea. We found that corneal thickness measurement with Orbscan II and the mesurement of IOP with noncontact method is incorrect by patients after CXL. CONCLUSION: Corneal cross-linking of the cornea is safe and effective procedure of stopping the progression of keratoconus in 97% of eyes in the period up to 2 years after CXL.

[Trends in indications of perforating keratoplasty at the Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic, E.U., during the period 2008-2012]. / Trendy v indikáciách k perforujúcej keratoplastike na Ocnej klinike FN Brno v rokoch 2008-2012.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study is retrospective analysis of perforating keratoplasty (PKP) indications at the Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty Hospital, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic, E.U., during the period of 5 years, from January 1st, 2008 to December 31st, 2012. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed the PKP indications retrospective analysis at the Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty Hospital, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic, E.U., during the period of 5 years, from January 1st, 2008 to December 31st, 2012, with complex evaluation of demographic and clinical data. The clinical diagnoses indicating the perforating keratoplasty were divided into 6 groups (keratoconus, bulous keratopathy, keratitis, corneal dystrophies, injuries, corneal transplant failure, and others) according to Cunningham et al. 2011 (2) and Boimer et al. 2012(1) methods. RESULTS: Our results correspond to data in the literature published abroad, where the majority of recently published papers refer significant increase of corneal transplant failure in the last years of follow-up.Key words: perforating keratoplasty, indications.

[Supracor, Laser Correction of Presbyopia: One-year Follow-up Outcomes]. / Supracor, laserová metoda korekce presbyopie: výsledky rocního sledování

PURPOSE: Evaluation of one-year postoperative results after Supracor laser procedure. METHODS: The study group consisted of 8 hyperopic patients (16 eyes) seeking alternatives to wearing glasses for both distance and near vision. These patients underwent Supracor refractive surgery in the Department of Ophthalmology of The University Hospital Brno in the time period from July 2012 to February 2013. The patient mean age at operation was 57,2 years (±4,6), mean binocular uncorrected near visual acuity was Jaeger No. 13, distance visual acuity 0,5 (±0,19). Average follow-up period was 15,5 months (±2,4). We evaluated binocular uncorrected and best corrected distance visual acuity (UDVA, BCDVA), near visual acuity (UNVA, BCNVA), and intermediate visual acuity (UIVA, BCIVA) 12 months after surgery, further the stability of visual acuity, objective refraction, mesopic contrast sensitivity, occurrence of complications, and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: In all 8 patients, binocular UDVA of at least 1,0 was achieved. The mean spherical equivalent was +0,25 D (±0,64). UNVA was Jaeger No. 3 or better in 7 patients (68,7 %), 5 of them could read Jaeger No. 1. UIVA Jaeger No. 1 was achieved in 5 patients (62,5 %), Jaeger No. 2 in 2 patients (25 %), and Jaeger No. 4 in 1 patient (12,5 %). In all eyes, preoperative mesopic contrast sensitivity was within the normal range for the given age. Postoperatively it remained within the normal range in 11 eyes (68,7 %). In 5 eyes (31,3 %) we found adecrease below the lower limit in higher spatial frequencies (12 and 18 cycles/degree) during the entire follow-up period. According to the patient questionnaire, 7 patients (87,5 %) were fully satisfied with the outcome of the surgery and they felt independent of wearing glasses, 1 patient was dissatisfied. 7 patients (87,5 %) did not report the presence of photic phenomena (halo, glare), 1 patient suffered from these problems. We did not encounter any intraoperative or postoperative complications.Conlusion: According to our first experience, good distance, near, and intermediate visual acuity and arather high patient satisfaction can be achieved with the use of the Supracor procedure. Supracor seems to be asuitable method of presbyopia correction in motivated, adaptable patients who meet strict indication criteria. With regard to the small number of patients in our study group, agreater number of patient evaluations will be required in the future, and long-term results will be of interest as well.Key words: Supracor, presbyopia, LASIK, refractive surgery.

Bifidobacteria from the gastrointestinal tract of animals: differences and similarities.

At present, the genus Bifidobacterium includes 48 species and subspecies, and this number is expected to increase. Bifidobacteria are found in different ecological niches. However, most were originally isolated from animals, mainly mammals, especially during the milk feeding period of life. Their presence in high numbers is associated with good health of the host. Moreover, bifidobacteria are often found in poultry and insects that exhibit a social mode of life (honeybees and bumblebees). This review is designed as a summary of currently known species of the genus Bifidobacterium, especially focused on their difference and similarities. The primary focus is on their occurrence in the digestive tract of animals, as well as the specificities of animal strains, with regard to their potential use as probiotics.

Beneficial effects of human milk oligosaccharides on gut microbiota.

Human milk is the gold standard for nourishment of early infants because it contains a number of bioactive components, such as human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). The high concentration and structural diversity of HMOs are unique to humans. HMOs are a group of complex and diverse glycans that are resistant to gastrointestinal digestion and reach the infant colon as the first prebiotics. N-acetyl-glucosamine containing oligosaccharides were first identified 50 years ago as the 'bifidus factor', a selective growth substrate for intestinal bifidobacteria, thus providing a conceptual basis for HMO-specific bifidogenic activity. Bifidobacterial species are the main utilisers of HMOs in the gastrointestinal tract and represent the dominant microbiota of breast-fed infants, and they may play an important role in maintaining the general health of newborn children. Oligosaccharides are also known to directly interact with the surface of pathogenic bacteria, and various oligosaccharides in milk are believed to inhibit the binding of pathogens and toxins to host cell receptors. Furthermore, HMOs are thought to contribute to the development of infant intestine and brain. Oligosaccharides currently added to infant formula are structurally different from the oligosaccharides naturally occurring in human milk and, therefore, they are unlikely to mimic some of the structure-specific effects. In this review, we describe how HMOs can modulate gut microbiota. This article summarises information up to date about the relationship between the intestinal microbiota and HMOs, and other possible indirect effects of HMOs on intestinal environment.

Lactobacillus bombi sp. nov., from the digestive tract of laboratory-reared bumblebee queens (Bombus terrestris).

Three bacterial strains belonging to the genus Lactobacillus were isolated from the digestive tracts of laboratory-reared bumblebee queens (Bombus terrestris) using MRS agar under anaerobic conditions. The isolates were identified according to 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis as undescribed members of the genus Lactobacillus, with the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (96.9 %) to the uncharacterized bacterial strain Lactobacillus sp. Mboho2r2 isolated from the stomach of a European honeybee (Apis mellifera). Lactobacillus tucceti was found to be the closest related species with a validly published name, with 92.9 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the type strain. However, phylogenetic analyses based on different markers revealed that this species is phylogenetically very distant from the novel strains. The DNA G+C content of the proposed type strain BTLCH M1/2(T) is 37.8 mol%. The fatty acids C(19 : 1)ω6c and/or C(19 : 0) cyclo ω10c/19ω6, C(18 : 1)ω9c and C(16 : 0) were predominant in all strains. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, a phospholipid, seven glycolipids and two phosphoglycolipids were detected in the novel strains. Growth was observed at 47 °C. The peptidoglycan type A4α L-Lys-D-Asp was determined for strain BTLCH M1/2(T). Genotypic characteristics and phylogenetic analyses based on the phylogenetic markers hsp60, pheS, rpoA and tuf as well as phenotypic characteristics and the results of chemotaxonomic analyses confirmed that the new isolates belong to a novel species of the genus Lactobacillus, for which the name Lactobacillus bombi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BTLCH M1/2(T) ( = DSM 26517(T) = CCM 8440(T)).

Lactobacillus rodentium sp. nov., from the digestive tract of wild rodents.

Three strains of regular, long, Gram-stain-positive bacterial rods were isolated using TPY, M.R.S. and Rogosa agar under anaerobic conditions from the digestive tract of wild mice (Mus musculus). All 16S rRNA gene sequences of these isolates were most similar to sequences of Lactobacillus gasseri ATCC 33323T and Lactobacillus johnsonii ATCC 33200T (97.3% and 97.2% sequence similarities, respectively). The novel strains shared 99.2-99.6% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities. Type strains of L. gasseri and L. johnsonii were also most related to the newly isolated strains according to rpoA (83.9-84.0% similarities), pheS (84.6-87.8%), atpA (86.2-87.7%), hsp60 (89.4-90.4%) and tuf (92.7-93.6%) gene sequence similarities. Phylogenetic studies based on 16S rRNA, hsp60, rpoA, atpA and pheS gene sequences, other genotypic and many phenotypic characteristics (results of API 50 CHL, Rapid ID 32A and API ZYM biochemical tests; cellular fatty acid profiles; cellular polar lipid profiles; end products of glucose fermentation) showed that these bacterial strains represent a novel species within the genus Lactobacillus. The name Lactobacillus rodentium sp. nov. is proposed to accommodate this group of new isolates. The type strain is MYMRS/TLU1T (=DSM 24759T=CCM 7945T).

[The effectiveness of corneal cross-linking in stopping the progression of keratoconus]. / Efektivita corneal cross-linkingu v zastavení progresie keratokónusu.

OBJECTIVE: Objective of the study was to prove the efficiency of corneal cross-linking (CXL) in stopping the progression of keratoconus. METHODS: In this study were included 58 eyes of patients with progressive keratoconus who underwent CXL according to the Dresden protocol in the years 2007-2009 at the Ophthalmic clinic FN Brno Bohunice. The eyes of patients were divided into four groups according to the change of maximum curvature of the cornea two years after CXL. RESULTS: Stabilization of maximum curvature of the cornea have been reported in 40 % of eyes, regression in 57 % of eyes by an average of 1,92D and disease progression in 3 % of eyes 2 years after CXL. The eyes with regression over 2D had significantly higher best-corrected visual acuity before and after the procedure compared to the group with stabilization. Spherical equivalent increased significantly in all groups, on average, in the group with stabilization of 0,54D, in the group with mild regression of 0,71D and in the group with a large regression of 2,09D. In the group with a large regression 100 % of eyes had stabilization or increase in SE. Our observations showed that, when a decrease in the patient keratometric values of cornea is present after CXL, it is comprehensive and applies to all parameters. CONCLUSION: We have confirmed that corneal cross-linking stops the progression of the disease in 97 % of eyes two years after the procedure.

[Diagnostic pitfalls of pseudo-foster kennedy syndrome - a case report]. / ÚSKALIA DIAGNOSTIKY PSEUDO-SYNDRÓMU FOSTERA KENNEDYHO.

To the outpatient facility of the Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty Hospital Brno, Czech Republic, E.U., was in June 2013 referred a 24 years old man with the suspicion of Foster Kennedy syndrome. On the fundus examinations, the findings were in correlation with the symptoms of this syndrome: slightly pale optic disc of the right eye and edema with the anterior extension of the optic nerve head of the left eye. The perimetric examination revealed bilateral visual fields defects, mainly in the nasal parts of the visual fields which is not typical for this syndrome. The native magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination was negative. Due to the suspicion of pathologic finding in the visual pathway area, the blood levels of pituitary gland hormones were examined and revealed elevated prolactin levels. In the indicated MRI examination with contrast, in the revised reading, a suspicious microadenoma of the pituitary gland was detected. Due to the atypical changes in the perimetric examinations, other possible causes of visual fields defects as coincidence of multiple, each other independent pathologies (neuritis or neuropathy of the optic nerve, neuromyelitis optica (Devic disease), Lebers hereditary optic neuritis (LHON) etc.) to exclude or to confirm the Pseudo-Foster Kennedy syndrome were taken into account. The patient is regularly followed up at our outpatient facility as well as at the outpatient facility of the Department of Neurosurgery, where, until now, the follow up only was recommended. The diagnosis of this case was, until now, set as Pseudo- Foster Kennedy syndrome, with unclarified cause of the clinical findings.

Vagococcus entomophilus sp. nov., from the digestive tract of a wasp (Vespula vulgaris).

Three unknown Gram-stain-positive, catalase-negative, facultatively anaerobic and coccus-shaped strains of bacteria were isolated from the digestive tracts of wasps (Vespula vulgaris). Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that these strains had identical sequences and showed that Vagococcus salmoninarum, with 96.2% sequence similarity, was the closest phylogenetic neighbour. Further analyses based on hsp60 and pheS gene sequences of representatives of the family Enteroccocaceae and genotypic and phenotypic characterization using (GTG)5-PCR fingerprintings, EcoRI ribotyping, DNA G+C content, whole-cell protein profiling, cellular fatty acid profiles analysis and extensive biotyping confirmed that the investigated strains were representatives of a novel bacterial species within the genus Vagoccocus for which the name Vagoccocus entomophilus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is VOSTP2(T) ( = DSM 24756(T) = CCM 7946(T)).

[Contraception and ocular thromboembolic episodes - a case report]. / Kontracepce a ocní trombembolické príhody.

The aim of the paper is to warn of the retinal vein occlusion possibility due to the using of hormonal contraceptive pills in young female patients. A case report of 22 years old female patient hospitalized at the Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic, E.U., with sudden decrease of the left eye visual acuity is presented. After excluding other causes of visual acuity decrease, the diagnosis of prethrombotic state was made and anticoagulant treatment was started. Key words: optic disc edema, prethrombotic state, retinal vein occlusion, visual acuity decrease, hormonal contraception.

Alloscardovia macacae sp. nov., isolated from the milk of a macaque (Macaca mulatta), emended description of the genus Alloscardovia and proposal of Alloscardovia criceti comb. nov.

A novel bacterial strain, designated M8(T), was isolated from milk of a female macaque bred in captivity. The strain was Gram-stain-positive, anaerobic, irregular coccoid-rod-shaped without catalase activity. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity revealed that the isolate was most closely related to Alloscardovia omnicolens CCUG 31649(T) (96.4%) and Metascardovia criceti OMB105(T) (96.6%). Sequences of hsp60, fusA, and xfp genes also confirmed that the strain was most closely related to the type strains of A. omnicolens and M. criceti. The isolate produced fructose-6-phosphate phosphoketolase which is in agreement with classification within the family Bifidobacteriaceae. The major fatty acids were C18 : 1ω9c (35.8%), C16 : 1 (6.2 %) and C14 : 0 (5.7 %). Polar lipid analysis revealed five different glycolipids, two unidentified phospholipids and diphosphatidylglycerol. The peptidoglycan was of the type A4α l-Lys-d-Asp with the presence of d(l)-alanine, d-glutamine, d-asparagine and l-lysine. The DNA G+C content of strain M8(T) was 50.1 mol%. On the basis of genetic, phylogenetic and phenotypic data, strain M8(T) represents a novel species of the genus Alloscardovia for which the name Alloscardovia macacae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is M8(T) ( = DSM 24762(T) = CCM 7944(T)). In addition, our results also revealed that Alloscardovia omnicolens DSM 21503(T) and Metascardovia criceti DSM 17774(T) do not belong to different genera within the family Bifidobacteriaceae. We therefore propose to reclassify Metascardovia criceti as Alloscardovia criceti comb. nov. An emended description of the genus Alloscardovia is also provided.

Pseudoscardovia suis gen. nov., sp. nov., a new member of the family Bifidobacteriaceae isolated from the digestive tract of wild pigs (Sus scrofa).

Seventeen fructose-6-phosphate phosphoketolase-positive bacterial strains were isolated from the digestive tract of wild pigs (Sus scrofa). Most of them were identified as Bifidobacterium boum according to sequences of 16S rRNA gene. Two strains isolated from the small intestine content had unusual morphology of cells in comparison with bifidobacteria. Cells growing in liquid anaerobic media were regular shaped rods arranged mostly in pairs. These isolates showed relatively low 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities (maximum identity of 94%) to members of the family Bifidobacteriaceae. Nevertheless, phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA, hsp60 and xfp gene sequences revealed that these strains are more related to recently described Neoscardovia, Aeriscardovia and other scardovial genera, than to Bifidobacterium species. Partial gene sequences of other phylogenetic markers showed low (65.8-89.5%) similarities to genome sequences of bifidobacteria and Gardnerella vaginalis. The major fatty acids detected in cells of the representative strain DPTE4(T) were C(16:0), C(18:1), C(14:0). The peptidoglycan type of the DPTE4(T) strain was A3ßl-Orn(l-Lys)-l-Ser(l-Ala)-l-Ala(2). Polar lipid analysis revealed two phosphoglycolipids and phospholipids, a glycolipid and diphosphatidylglycerol. The results of phylogenetic, genotypic and phenotypic analyses support the proposal of a novel taxa, Pseudoscardovia suis gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain=DPTE4(T)=DSM 24744(T)=CCM 7942(T)).