Acute unilateral vision loss from central retinal artery occlusion associated with an atrial septal aneurysm and a patent foramen ovale: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Acute unilateral vision loss is an ophthalmological emergency. It can have multiple aetiologies, and physicians must be able to quickly determine the cause of the condition, as immediate intervention may prevent permanent vision loss. Acute unilateral vision loss has not previously been associated with a patent foramen ovale (PFO). OBJECTIVE: We describe a patient who presented with painless sudden loss of vision in his left eye. He was diagnosed to have central retinal artery occlusion, likely from a paradoxical embolus associated with an atrial septal aneurysm containing a PFO. The patient underwent successful percutaneous closure of the PFO without complication. This report details the evaluation and differential diagnosis of acute unilateral vision loss. Additionally, the controversy of whether a PFO should be closed prophylactically for stroke prevention is discussed. CONCLUSION: Acute unilateral vision loss from central retinal artery occlusion may be caused by a paradoxical embolus originating from an atrial septal aneurysm with a PFO. This case should be considered in the controversy of whether prophylactic closure of a PFO could be beneficial for primary prevention of stroke.

Sudden loss of vision in one eye is an emergency, and rapid evaluation and treatment are essential. We report a case of acute vision loss in one eye that was associated with a communication between the right and left receiving chambers of the heart, with blood clot at the communication. It was assumed that clot passing from the venous to arterial side of the heart, was carried in the blood stream, and subsequently blocked the main artery to the affected eye. The communication was closed with a device, without the need for surgery. This potential cause of vision loss has not previously been reported. It is important that physicians search for this type of communication in the heart when there is abrupt vision loss in one eye. The merits of closing such a communication is discussed.

Antibacterial Activity and Toxicity of Analogs of Scorpion Venom IsCT Peptides.

Seven analogs of the natural, α-helix peptides IsCT1 and IsCT2-found in the venom of scorpion Opithancatus Madagascariensis-have been synthesized and tested to compare their antibacterial and hemolytic activity against natural peptides. In general, results show that increasing hydrophobicity by substituting positions 5 and 9 of the sequences with alanine, valine, and leucine, enhances antibacterial activity. However, this also increases hemolytic activity. The analog with an increased net positive charge from +1 to +3 produces moderate bacterial growth inhibition but also has high hemolytic activity. On the other hand, the analog with a negative net charge (-1) has low antibacterial properties but also no cytotoxicity under the tested conditions, a similar result was found for five of the seven studied analogs.

Synthesis of analogs of peptides from Buthus martensii scorpion venom with potential antibiotic activity.

Five analogs of a natural peptide (BmKn1) found in the venom of scorpion Buthus martensii Karsh have been synthesized and tested to compare their antimicrobial and hemolytic activity with the wild type. Circular dichroism spectra show that these peptides form an alpha helix structure and its amino acid positions predict an amphipathic nature. Results show that increasing hydrophobicity by substituting successively positions 5 and 9 of the sequence (on the hydrophobic side of the helix) with alanine, valine and leucine enhances antimicrobial activity and hemolysis. When changes are done on positions 7 and 10 (on the hydrophilic side) by introducing more positive charges with addition of lysine, both activities also increase. However, when negative charges are introduced instead (with glutamic acids), antimicrobial activity is observed but hemolysis is reduced to zero under the concentrations studied. Although strong inhibitory activity begins at low concentrations (10µg/mL), some peptides level off inhibition and no change is observed as concentrations are increased.