Efficacy of olopatadine in allergic conjunctivitis

Olopatadine ophthalmic solution (0.1 percent) is an antiallergic and antihistaminic agent indicated for the prevention and treatment of the signs and symptoms of ocular allergic conjunctivitis. This paper deals with the efficacy and mode of action of the drug and its clinical use in allergic conjunctivitis.(AU)

Nosocomial infection in a neonatal unit - abstract

This study of nosocomial infection (NI) was conducted to obtain baseline data on NI between epidemics. All infants who were admitted to the Special Care Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and who stayed there for > 48 hours in the period June 1 to October 31, 1989, were enrolled in the study. NI was defined as an infection which was not present at birth or incubating in the mother and beginning 48 hours after birth, and was classified as major (meningitis and bacteraemia) and minor (all other infections). There were 28 NIs in 22 neonates with a mean age of 4.5 days, gestational ages ranged from 31 to 40 weeks, and birth weight from 1 to 5 kg. Conjunctivitis (50 per cent) and bacteraemia/meningitis (23 per cent), were the commonest NIs. Psuedomonas aeruginosa (21 per cent) was the commonest organism cultured. Four of six major NIs were due to gram-negative and the rest to gram-positive organisms. The NI rate was 10 per 100 discharges and no deaths from NI occurred. It is concluded that there is a high level of NI, mainly gram-negative organisms, in the neonatal unit, and a strong case exists for a larger improved unit, continuous surveillance and continuing education on prevention of NI (AU)

Epidemic acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis in Belize

Acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis was first introduced into Belize in July 1981, during the course of a larger Caribbean epidemic. The index case apparently arrived by boat from Honduras. The disease spread rapidly from the coastal centers of Belize City and Dangriga, the first urban areas affected, and within two weeks all the districts in the country were reporting cases. Peak attack rates generally occurred about four weeks after the initial cases. Countrywide, government clinics reported 121 cases of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivities for every 1,000 inhabitants. Data from different census enumeration districts in Belize City indicated attack rates ranging from 0 to 417 cases per 1,000 inhabitants. Statistically significant correlations were observed between the Belize City data and other data on adult education and census district population size. The limited data available also suggest that the disease showed slight dependence upon conditions prevailing in the tropical coast-city environment that constitutes its typical setting. Instead, very similar epidemic patterns appear to have emerged in coast cities and inland farming areas; and the main factor limiting the outbreak appears to have been restrictions on the opportunities for the disease to suggests that the disease's decade-long absence from the Americas did not result from intrinsically unsuitable conditions, but rather from its lack of an effective introduction to the Region.(AU)

Rhinosporidiosis in Trinidad

Five cases of rhinosporidiosis are reported for the first time from Trinidad and Tobago. All patients were males. The conjunctiva was the site of the lesion in four cases, the nose in one case (AU)

Some common eye diseases in British Guiana

In this paper we attempt to give a "bird's eye view" of some common eye diseases in British Guiana, and some of their peculiarities. The greatest peculiarities are seen in senile and pre-senile cataracts which begin centrally. There is a racial predilection of glaucoma and optic atrophy due to avitaminosis of the B group and this predilection is confined to diseases in the negro or mixed negro races. (AU)

Observations on lymphogranuloma venereum

Lymphogranuloma venereum is a venereal disease caused by a virus belonging to the lymphogranuloma-psittacosis group. This disease is by no means limited to tropical countries. Acute infections with lymphogranuloma venereum show a conspicuous predilection for the male sex, whereas the later stages, elephantiasis genito-anorectalis and esthiomene, are much more frequent in the female. The value and limitations of Frei's intradermal test are discussed. The significance of transmission of the virus to animals and the results of virus research and their bearing on Frei's test and C.F.T. are surveyed. The three clinical stages of lymphogranuloma venereum are described and reference is made to the general manifestations of the disease as seen in eyes, joints and skin. A short evaluation of diagnostic procedures is presented and the principles of modern treatment of the disease are outlined. Some personal observations derived from the author's experience during war service in the Far East are mentioned (AU)