Preparation and characterization of novel, mucoadhesive ofloxacin nanoparticles for ocular drug delivery

The efficacy of conventional ocular formulations is limited by poor corneal retention and permeation, resulting in low ocular bioavailability. Mucoadhesive chitosan (CS)/ tripolyphosphatesodium (TPP) and chitosan (CS)/ tripolyphosphatesodium (TPP)-alginate (ALG) nanoparticles were investigated for the prolonged topical ophthalmic delivery of ofloxacin. A modified ionotropic gelation method was used to produce ofloxacin-loaded nanoreservoir systems. The ofloxacin-loaded CS/TPP and CS/TPP-ALG nanoparticles were characterized for particle size, morphology, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, subsequent release and corneal penetration study. The designed nanoparticles have a particle size from 113.8 nm to 509 nm and zeta potential from 16.2 mV to 40.3 mV and encapsulation efficiency values ranging from 19.7% to 33.1%. Nanoparticles revealed a release during the first hours, followed by a more gradual drug release. The ofloxacin-loading CS/TPP or CS/TPP-ALG NPs developed are pronounced penetration enhancing effect as compared to OFX solution (5-6.5 times). Thus, these nanoparticles have a strong potential for ocular drug delivery.

Ocular Autoimmune Systemic Inflammatory Infectious Study (OASIS) - Report 1: Epidemiology and Classification.

PURPOSE: To report the epidemiology and classification of ocular inflammation at a tertiary eye care center in Singapore. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of the clinical records of consecutive new cases from the Ocular Autoimmune Systemic Inflammatory Infectious Study (OASIS) database from 2004-2015. RESULTS: A total of 2200 patients were studied from the OASIS database. The most common anatomic diagnosis was anterior uveitis (55.9%), posterior uveitis (17.5%), panuveitis (9.6%), and intermediate uveitis (4.7%). In addition, scleritis (6.1%), keratouveitis (2.8%), retinal vasculitis (2.2%), and episcleritis (1.2%) were observed. Etiology was established in 65.1%, with 35.2% of patients associated with non-infectious etiologies. The most common etiologies found were presumed tuberculosis (7.2%), followed by cytomegalovirus infection (6.9%), herpetic infection (6.3%), HLA-B27-associated anterior uveitis (4.2%), and ankylosing spondylitis (3.8%). CONCLUSIONS: The pattern of ocular inflammation in Singapore has similarities with both Western and Asian populations. Anterior uveitis was the most common, with non-infectious etiologies being slightly more common than infectious etiologies.

[Clinical and immunological factors of the onset and development of age-related macular degeneration].

UNLABELLED: The purpose of the study is to determine the role of certain clinical and immunological factors of the onset and development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patients records; determination of IFNalpha IFNgamma, IL-1beta, and TNFalpha cytokines levels as well as extracellular peroxidase activity (EPA) in blood serum and tear; measuring frequency of occurrence of intraocular infectious antigens with predominantly intracellular localization, such as Herpesviridae spp. (Herpes simplex, Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus) and Chlamydiaceae spp. (Chlamydia pneumoniae, Chlamydia trachomatis) in lens matter and aqueous humor by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The new evidence strongly suggests a relationship between AMD development and hypertension (p < 0.001; r = +0.30, P < 95%) as well as between AMD progression and hypertension accompanied by chronic inflammation with predominantly intracellular localization of the infectious agent (p < 0.05 for the predisciform stage, p < 0.001 for the disciform and cicatrical stages; r = +0.30, P < 95%). "Dry" AMD is characterized by hypertension-associated systemic and then local increase of EPA. In "wet" AMD it is the interferon response that is impaired: IFNalpha and IFNgamma are systemically decreased, while local level of IFNalpha is increased. Intraocular Herpes simplex infection is pathogenically significant for AMD development (18.8% in the study group vs 0% in the control group). CONCLUSION: AMD progression is associated with hypertension accompanied by chronic inflammation with predominantly intracellular localization of the infectious agent as well as impairment of the interferon response (systemic decrease of IFNalpha and IFNgamma with local increase of IFNalpha). Moreover, the presence of intraocular Herpes simplex infection leads to activation of the first line antiviral immunity (IFNgalpha) with decompensation of the local interferon response (IFNgamma).

Clinical patterns of uveitis in two ophthalmology centres in Bogota, Colombia.

PURPOSE: To describe the distribution pattern and the clinical features of uveitis in two ophthalmology referral centres in Colombia. METHODS: This was a retrospective study in which clinical records of patients attending the centres between 1996 and 2006 were systematically reviewed. Data were analysed and compared with previous reports. RESULTS: Uveitis was found in 693 patients: 335 men (48.3%) and 358 women (51.7%). The mean age for the first presentation was 31.7 +/- 18.3 years. Unilateral (73.4%), acute (68.3%), posterior (35.9%) and non-granulomatous (90.6%) were the most common types of uveitis found in the sample. Toxoplasmosis was the most frequent cause in this study followed in order by idiopathic and toxocariasis. Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada, Behçet's disease, sarcoidosis and white dot syndromes were less common. Some causes such as systemic lupus erythematosus and tuberculosis were extremely rare. Presumed ocular histoplasmosis, onchocerciasis and Lyme disease were absent. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study provide the first report of clinical patterns for uveitis in Colombia. This study will enhance awareness of uveitis, and data should assist in the development of public health policies in our population for the improvement of patient outcomes.

Patología ocular para el patólogo general / Ocular pathology for the general pathologist

La Patología Ocular incluye el estudio de los procesos o enfermedades que afectan el globo ocular (las estructuras que lo componen) y sus anexos. Esta especialidad ha avanzado en el tiempo en la misma proporción que lo han hecho la Patología General y la Oftalmología, de las cuales se nutren. El objetivo de la presente revisión es la actualización de términos y procedimientos de utilidad para los patólogos generales, que reciben muestras relacionadas con el campo de la Oftalmología. Los especialistas en Oftalmología y sus pacientes se beneficiarán de un óptimo estudio y, con el consiguiente reporte final se accederá a un tratamiento adecuado. Se revisan así mismo, los tópicos más resaltantes y comunes en la práctica diaria de la Patología Ocular.

Estudo sobre as causas mais freqüentes de perdas oculares / A study on the most frequent causes of ocular losses

As perdas oculares são constrangedoras ao portador por comprometer a face que é parte do corpo humano que possue os órgãos essenciais para o relacionamento humano. Foram avaliados no presente estudo prontuários de 53 pacientes da clínica de prótese buco-maxilo-facial do Centro de Oncologia Bucal da UNESP de Araçatuba, que tiveram a região ocular comprometida, sendo classificadas em ordem de prevalência as causas das perdas oculares. O glaucoma foi responsável por 37 por cento das perdas oculares, seguido por traumas ou acidentes com 32 por cento. Muitas são as causas das perdas oculares, sendo o glaucoma o principal responsável. As próteses oculares foram criadas com o intuito de devolver a função e a estética comprometidas pela ausência de parte ou total do globo ocular

[Unconventional transmissible agents]. / Agents transmissibles non conventionnels.

Ophthalmologists must take into account the possible emergence of unconventional transmissible agents in their daily practice. Official recommendations have been circulated; however, their routine application remains difficult, with technical and financial considerations limiting factors in the use of an ideal of one disposable medical device per patient. This review describes how these recommendations are followed and tries to provide insights into improving daily practice with these unconventional transmissible agents.

[Infectious-allergic ophthalmic brucellosis (the validation of a new nosological form)]. / Infektsionno-allergicheskii oftal'mobrutsellez (obosnovanie novoi nozologicheskoi formy).

The necessity of distinguishing a new nosological entity: infectious allergic ophthalmic brucellosis-is validated. Based on her own clinical and experimental findings and published data, the author describes the etiology, pathogenesis, clinical picture, diagnosis, and treatment of this disease.

[Ocular infections in immunodepressed patients]. / Les infections oculaires de l'immunodéprimé.

Two kinds of immunosuppression must be distinguished: malignant diseases on one hand, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome on the other hand. Ocular infections can involve any part of the eye and they can lead to blindness. They usually attest of a systemic infection. Their treatment consist of an induction course to provide complete healing of the lesions, immediately followed by a maintenance course to prevent relapses. Retinitis are the most common posterior involvement, especially the retinitis due to cytomegalovirus and Toxoplasma gondii. Zoster ophtalmicus is the most common anterior involvement. Mucormycosis is rare but very severe. A closed collaboration between ophtalmologists and internists is mandatory to provide the most appropriate management of these infections.