Rheumatic fever and long-term use of benzathine penicillin as possible risk factors for extensive macular atrophy with pseudodrusen in a Brazilian cohort.

BACKGROUND: Although there has been a large increase in the number of extensive macular atrophy with pseudodrusen (EMAP) cases, the basic aspects of this disease remain unknown. Brazilian patients have a common past history of rheumatic fever (RF) and/or benzathine penicillin (BP) treatment possibly related to the disease. We analyzed how RF and BP might be correlated with EMAP in Brazilian patients. DESIGN: Observational, retrospective, case-control study. METHODS: The databases of three private eye clinics in Brazil were searched for patients with an EMAP-like appearance. Each patient was asked about a previous history of RF and/or long-term use of BP. Patients underwent best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measurement, color fundus imaging, fundus autofluorescence (FAF) imaging, optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging, and electroretinography (ERG). The following characteristics were analyzed: subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDD), pigment mottling, retinal pigment epithelial/basement membrane (RPE/BM) separation, outer retinal or RPE atrophy, and identification of a paving stone-like appearance. The choroidal thickness was measured using enhanced depth imaging OCT. The central atrophic area was measured manually on ultra-wide-field FAF. RESULTS: A total of 154 eyes of 77 patients (women, 66.2%; mean age, 58.6 years) with EMAP were included; 90.9% of patients were diagnosed with RF; 94.8% had been treated with BP and treatment was started at an average age of 7.3 years (mean duration, 11.8 years). The treatment duration was significant for the area of atrophy (P = 0.027) in which each 1-year increase in treatment duration led to an average reduction of 6.91 mm2 in area. The age at diagnosis of RF was significant (P = 0.026) for SDD. The increase of 1 year in the diagnosis of RF (late disease) led to a reduction of 24% in the chance of central SDD being present. On OCT, 65.5% eyes had SDD and more than 70% had a split RPE/BM and outer retinal or RPE atrophy. The choroidal thickness in patients with EMAP was significantly (P < 0.001) thinner than the control group. The ERG was abnormal in all eyes. CONCLUSION: These findings may suggest a relation between RF and EMAP in Brazilian patients. Patients with EMAP should be questioned about a history of RF.

Unilateral acute idiopathic maculopathy secondary to yellow fever disease: a case report.

PURPOSE: To report a case of unilateral acute idiopathic maculopathy (UAIM) associated with yellow fever. OBSERVATIONS: A 59-year-old man presented with acute blurring of his vision 30 days after symptoms of yellow fever virus infection. Findings resembling unilateral acute idiopathic maculopathy of the left eye were noted on ophthalmoscopy, fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography. The right eye exam was normal. He was managed conservatively and recovered complete visual function in 8 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: We describe a case of unilateral acute idiopathic maculopathy disease in a patient infected by yellow fever virus confirmed with reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Transcranial direct current stimulation: a study on naming performance in aphasic individuals. / Estimulação transcraniana por corrente contínua: estudo sobre respostas em tarefas de nomeação em afásicos.

PURPOSE: Compare the results in naming tasks of after-stroke aphasic individuals divided into active and placebo groups pre- and post-transcranial direct current stimulation. METHODS: A double-blind, randomized, controlled study conducted with 14 individuals. Patients underwent five 20-min sessions with stimulation of 2mA's on consecutive days. The cathode was placed over the Broca's homologous area and the anode was placed over the supraorbital region of the left hemisphere. Boston and Snodgrass naming tasks were assessed before and after the stimulation sessions and the results were compared between the groups. RESULTS: No significant results were observed for sequences 1 and 2 in the Snodgrass test. The Boston test results indicated significant difference related to mean time for correct responses with strategy. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that simultaneous transcranial direct current stimulation (anodic and cathodic) is a method that can improve the rehabilitation of patients with anomic and Broca's aphasia after stroke, and that language strategies should be considered in the analysis of naming task responses.

OBJETIVO: Comparar os resultados nas tarefas de nomeação de pacientes afásicos após AVC dos grupos ativo e controle. MÉTODO: Estudo duplo-cego, randomizado controlado com 14 pacientes. Os indivíduos foram submetidos a cinco sessões de 20 minutos de 2 mA em dias consecutivos. O catodo foi posicionado na área homóloga à Broca e o anodo sobre a região supraorbital do hemisfério esquerdo. Os testes de Boston e Snodgrass foram aplicados e os resultados comparados entre os grupos. RESULTADOS: Não houve resultados significativos para as sequências 1 e 2 no teste do Snodgrass. No teste de Boston, os dados indicaram uma diferença significativa para o tempo médio de acertos com estratégia. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados sugerem que a ETCC simultânea (anódica e catódica) é um método que pode auxiliar a reabilitação de pacientes com afasia do tipo anômica e de Broca, após AVC, e que as estratégias linguísticas deveriam ser consideradas nas análises das respostas dos testes de nomeação.

Estimulação transcraniana por corrente contínua: estudo sobre respostas em tarefas de nomeação em afásicos / Transcranial direct current stimulation: a study on naming performance in aphasic individuals

RESUMO Objetivo Comparar os resultados nas tarefas de nomeação de pacientes afásicos após AVC dos grupos ativo e controle. Método Estudo duplo-cego, randomizado controlado com 14 pacientes. Os indivíduos foram submetidos a cinco sessões de 20 minutos de 2 mA em dias consecutivos. O catodo foi posicionado na área homóloga à Broca e o anodo sobre a região supraorbital do hemisfério esquerdo. Os testes de Boston e Snodgrass foram aplicados e os resultados comparados entre os grupos. Resultados Não houve resultados significativos para as sequências 1 e 2 no teste do Snodgrass. No teste de Boston, os dados indicaram uma diferença significativa para o tempo médio de acertos com estratégia. Conclusão Os resultados sugerem que a ETCC simultânea (anódica e catódica) é um método que pode auxiliar a reabilitação de pacientes com afasia do tipo anômica e de Broca, após AVC, e que as estratégias linguísticas deveriam ser consideradas nas análises das respostas dos testes de nomeação.

ABSTRACT Purpose Compare the results in naming tasks of after-stroke aphasic individuals divided into active and placebo groups pre- and post-transcranial direct current stimulation. Methods A double-blind, randomized, controlled study conducted with 14 individuals. Patients underwent five 20-min sessions with stimulation of 2mA's on consecutive days. The cathode was placed over the Broca's homologous area and the anode was placed over the supraorbital region of the left hemisphere. Boston and Snodgrass naming tasks were assessed before and after the stimulation sessions and the results were compared between the groups. Results No significant results were observed for sequences 1 and 2 in the Snodgrass test. The Boston test results indicated significant difference related to mean time for correct responses with strategy. Conclusion The results suggest that simultaneous transcranial direct current stimulation (anodic and cathodic) is a method that can improve the rehabilitation of patients with anomic and Broca's aphasia after stroke, and that language strategies should be considered in the analysis of naming task responses.