[Chloramphenicol eyedrops in acute bacterial conjunctivitis. A comparison of 2 dosage regimes in general practice]. / Kloramfenikol øyedråper ved akutt bakteriell konjunktivitt. En sammenlikning av to doseringsregimer i allmennpraksis.

Acute bacterial conjunctivitis is a prevalent infection in the population. Topically applied chloramphenicol has been the most frequently used treatment on this indication. The recommended dosage of 0.5% eye drops has been one drop hourly/every two hours for three days, thereafter every 4-6 hours. This dosage is not based on scientific documentation. We have conducted a clinical trial in general practice to compare the standard dosage with a simplified dose regimen. 77 patients were allocated to the regimen described above and 75 patients were instructed to use the drops four times a day. Mean duration until complete healing of all symptoms was 4.4 days (median 4; 95%-confidence interval (CI) 4-5) and 4.8 days (median 5; CI 4-5) in the two groups. The proportion of completely cured patients after nine days of treatment was 95% and 88% respectively; after four days corresponding percentages were 61% and 44% (p < 0.05). For other clinical variables the differences were small and not statistically significant. Compliance was significantly better for the simplified regimen (p < 0.001). The study indicates that the simplified dose regimen may be preferable in clinical practice.

In vitro ingrowth of choroidal cells on Bruch's membrane.

Full thickness eyewall explants were made from human eyes, the retina and retinal pigment epithelium were removed, and the explants were maintained in vitro in Ham's F-10 medium with 20% foetal bovine serum. Cultured explants were examined by scanning and transmission electronmicroscopy after varying lengths of time. When in vitro, choroidal cells migrated across the cut edge of the explant onto the denuded Bruch's membrane where they subsequently showed production of extracellular matrix. In the human eye, ingrowth of choroidal cells on Bruch's membrane is found in macular degenerations, inflammatory chorioretinal disorders and subsequent to trauma. The in vitro model system presented in our study could facilitate evaluation of the dynamics underlying such ingrowth and also of factors affecting the course of this process.

Acne in pubertal boys undergoing treatment with androgens.

In the present study, the development of acne lesions was studied in boys deemed to be too tall, for which they were treated with injections of androgens. In a retrospective and a prospective group of pubertal boys, an increased incidence of acne was observed as a consequence of treatment with androgens.

[Development of acne in systemic androgen therapy in boys during puberty]. / Utvikling av akne ved systemisk androgenterapi hos gutter i puberteten.

Acne is a multifactorial disease. Hereditary factors and the hormonal influences of androgens are important. In this study the development of acne lesions are studied in boys treated with androgens for expected excessive bodily height. In two groups of pubertal boys increased incidense of acne was observed during the period of treatment.

DNA synthesis in human retinal pigment epithelium in organ culture.

Retinal pigment epithelium from human eyes was maintained in organ culture, and DNA synthesis was visualized by autoradiography of cultures exposed to labelled thymidine. In Ham's F10 medium, labelling of cells was observed after 7 as well as after 14 days in vitro. At both stages the labelled cells were characteristically located adjacent to areas of epithelial damage. Cells remote from such areas did not incorporate thymidine, This pattern was observed in epithelia removed from the posterior pole as well as from the periphery of the fundus. Several types of routine media and media with human as well as foetal bovine serum (FBS) were found to support DNA synthesis in the cultured epithelium, labelled cells were not observed in epithelium maintained in Ham's F10 without serum, or with low serum concentration. Our study demonstrates, that DNA synthesis does take place in organ cultured human retinal pigment epithelium when the appropriate culture conditions are used. Our findings indicate that induction of DNA synthesis in the cells is not promoted by an indiscriminate effect of the medium but related to the presence of epithelial damage.