Manifestation of rs1888747 polymorphisms in the FRMD3 gene in diabetic kidney disease and diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes patients.

BACKGROUND: FRMD3 polymorphisms has suggested that they could be an alternative test to differentiate diabetic nephropathy (DN) from nondiabetic renal disease (NDRD) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. This study was performed to investigate the relationship between the FRMD3 gene and clinical characteristics of DN. METHODS: Patients who already had renal pathologic results were tested for FRMD3 polymorphisms. The subjects were classified into three groups; DN with diabetic retinopathy (DR), DN without DR, and DM with NDRD. FRMD3 polymorphisms were analyzed in each group. RESULTS: The prevalence of GG, CG, and CC was 44.4%, 42.2%, and 13.3% respectively. There was no significant difference in clinical parameters, which consisted of disease duration, proteinuria, and complications in DN with or without DR and DM with NDRD. The G allele was mainly found in DN with DR patients (50.8%) whereas the C allele was found in DM with NDRD patients (43.5%) (p = 0.02). There was a significant association between the CC genotype in NDRD when compared to GG (p = 0.001). In addition, the C allele was 2.10-fold more often associated with NDRD than the G allele (p = 0.03). The CC genotype was correlated with risk for NDRD than the GG and GC genotypes, with odds ratios of 6.89 and 4.91, respectively (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: C allele presentation, especially homozygous CC, was associated with NDRD pathology in patients with overt proteinuria. Hence, kidney biopsy is suggested in those with the C allele or homozygous CC genotype, regardless of retinopathy manifestations.

Blindness and low vision in a tertiary ophthalmologic center in Thailand: the importance of cytomegalovirus retinitis.

PURPOSE: To determine the causes of blindness and low vision in patients consulting a tertiary ophthalmologic center in northern Thailand. METHODS: The study population included 2,951 new consecutive patients from the Department of Ophthalmology at University Hospital in Chiang-Mai, Thailand. Main outcome measures were blindness and low vision, which were defined according to World Health Organization criteria. RESULTS: Of 2,951 patients, 369 (12.5%) had blindness and/or low vision (bilateral blindness in 73, unilateral blindness in 129, bilateral low vision in 77, and unilateral low vision in 90). Of the etiological causes of visual loss, age-related ocular disease was the most frequent (128 patients [35%]) followed by infections (66 patients [18%]) and trauma (43 patients [12%]). Although infections and trauma were the predominant causes of blindness, age-related disorders were frequently found in patients with low vision. Of anatomical sites, the lens (134 patients [36%]) was the main location of visual loss, closely followed by disorders of the retina and/or uvea (126 patients [34%]). Blindness and low vision were considered avoidable in 70% of cases. Of 73 patients with bilateral blindness, 14 had active cytomegalovirus retinitis, accounting for 19% of all patients with bilateral blindness. CONCLUSION: The most common causes of blindness and low vision in a tertiary center in northern Thailand were age-related ocular disorders and infections, which were predominantly cases of cytomegalovirus retinitis in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients.

Endogenous endophthalmitis due to Salmonella choleraesuis in an HIV-positive patient.

PURPOSE: To report a case of endogenous endophthalmitis caused by the gram-negative bacterium Salmonella choleraesuis as a first sign of HIV infection in a patient from Thailand. METHOD: Case description and literature review. RESULTS: A 54-year-old male without systemic complaints developed non-painful panuveitis in his left eye accompanied by high intraocular pressure. On investigation, HIV serology was found positive, and aqueous and blood cultures revealed the bacterium Salmonella choleraesuis. Despite aggressive treatment with antibiotics, the affected eye did not improve, and his visual acuity decreased to no light perception. CONCLUSIONS: Endogenous endophthalmitis with the non-typhoidal Salmonellae can occur in the absence of systemic symptoms in an immunocompromised host.