Glaucoma patients have an increased level of trimethylamine, a toxic product of gut bacteria, in the aqueous humor: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: Animal studies suggest that gut bacteria metabolites are involved in regulation of intraocular pressure or development of glaucoma. However, clinical data are lacking. Here, we wanted to compare level of trimethylamine (TMA), an uremic toxin produced by gut bacteria, along with betaine and trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a substrate and a product of its metabolism, in the aqueous humor and in plasma of patients with glaucoma and their controls. METHODS: Twenty patients were selected for cataract phacoemulsification, and 20 patients selected for phacotrabeculectomy were enrolled in the study. Patients were matched with controls on systemic diseases and estimated glomerular filtration rate. Blood samples were collected in the preoperative suite, whereas aqueous humor samples were collected as the first step of both procedures. Subsequently, level of betaine, TMA and TMAO was analyzed by means of chromatography. RESULTS: In the aqueous humor, level of TMA, but not betaine or TMAO, was significantly higher in the phacotrabeculectomy group than in the phacoemulsification group. Plasma level of betaine, TMA and TMAO was similar between groups. In both groups, level of betaine and TMA, but not TMAO, was significantly higher in plasma than in the aqueous humor. CONCLUSION: TMA, but not TMAO or betaine level, is increased in the aqueous humor of patients with glaucoma. TMA might play a role in pathogenesis of glaucoma; however, prospective studies are needed to confirm our findings.

The status of Demodex cornei: description of the species and developmental stages, and data on demodecid mites in the domestic dog Canis lupus familiaris.

Demodecosis canina is one of the most important dog parasitoses, but its aetiology is still not well known. There are currently two known species of demodecid mite specific to the domestic dog Canis lupus familiaris Linnaeus, 1758 (Carnivora: Canidae). These are Demodex canis Leydig, 1859 (Acariformes: Demodecidae) and Demodex injai Desch & Hillier, 2003. There have also been many reports of the so-called 'short form', considered to be a separate species functioning under the name Demodex cornei nomen nudum, for which, however, no formal valid description has been documented. Taxonomic analysis of short forms of dog demodecid mites, associated with the stratum corneum, was performed, in line with the taxonomic criteria of Demodecidae systematics. This form was found to be a distinct species with features that differ from those of the other known species of this family. The species, including the adult and immature stages, is described. It is likely that different Demodex species parasitizing the domestic dog may be responsible for differentiated symptoms and different courses of demodecosis. However, the basis for clarifying this issue should be the correct, unambiguous identification of the species causing parasitosis.

A new genus and species of demodecid mites from the tongue of a house mouse Mus musculus: description of adult and immature stages with data on parasitism.

The study of the parasitofauna of the house mouse Mus musculus (Rodentia: Muridae) Linnaeus is particularly important owing to its multiple relationships with humans - as a cosmopolitan, synanthropic rodent, bred for pets, food for other animals or laboratory animal. This article proposes and describes a new genus and species of the parasitic mite based on adult and immature stages from the house mouse. Glossicodex musculi gen. n., sp. n. is a medium-sized demodecid mite (adult stages on average 199 µm in length) found in mouse tissue of the tongue. It is characterized by two large, hooked claws on each tarsus of the legs; the legs are relatively massive, consisting of large, non-overlapping segments. The palps consist of three slender, clearly separated, relatively narrow segments, wherein their coxal segments are also quite narrow and spaced. Also, segments of the palps of larva and nymphs are clearly isolated, and on the terminal segment, trident claws that resemble legs' claws can be found. On the ventral side, in immature stages, triangular scuta, topped with sclerotized spur, can be also observed. Glossicodex musculi was noted in 10.8% of mice with a mean infection intensity of 2.2 parasites per host.

Polymorphism of the LIG3 gene in keratoconus and Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy.

The product of the LIG3 gene encodes DNA ligase III, which is involved in the repair of oxidatively damaged DNA in the base excision repair pathway. We hypothesized that polymorphism in this gene may change susceptibility to oxidative stress and predispose individuals to the development of keratoconus (KC) and Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD). Therefore, we investigated the association between genotypes and haplotypes of the g.29661G>A polymorphism (rs1003918) and the g.29059C>T polymorphism (rs1052536) of the LIG3 gene and the occurrence of KC and FECD in patients with FECD (258 individuals) or KC (283) and ethnically matched controls (300). The A/A genotype and the A allele of the g.29661G>A polymorphism were associated with increased occurrence of KC, while the G allele of this polymorphism was positively correlated with a decreased occurrence of this disease. The T/C genotype of the g.29059C>T polymorphism was associated with decreased FECD occurrence. In addition, the AT haplotype was associated with increased occurrence of KC and FECD, while the GT haplotype was associated with decreased occurrence of these diseases. The g.29661G>A and g.29059C>T polymorphisms may play a role in the KC and FECD pathogenesis and can be considered as markers in these diseases.

Demodex phylloides (Acari, Demodecidae) as a specific parasite of Sus scrofa (Mammalia, Artiodactyla).

Within 1994-2000, sections of skin collected from eleven areas on the body of 650 wild boars and 85 pigs living in the northern Poland and in the Great Poland were examined. The D. phylloides infestation in the wild boar was observed to be very heavy (prevalence 32%, mean intensity 74 ind.). In contrast, the domestic pig turned out to be free of the parasite. The wild boar D. phylloides infestations are symptomless. The parasite is relatively rare in the domestic pig, although the high animal density typical of farm stocks should aid in its spreading. Compared to that in the wild boar, the pigs affected show associated skin symptoms. Where demodicosis did occur, most often the entire population was suffering of the condition. Most probably, the wild boar is the original host of D. phylloides. The hair follicle mite in question is very frequent in the wild boar, but produces symptomless infestations. The parasite occurs more seldom in the domestic pig, but--in contrast--the infestations are much more violent.

The occurrence of parasitic arthropods in two groups of European bison in the Bialowieza primeval forest.

Within 1992-2000, a total of 181 Bialowieza Forest bison were examined from two winter herds. Twelf parasitic arthropod species were observed, a high infestation being typical of Demodex bisonianius, Chorioptes bovis, Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor reticulatus, and Bisonicola sedecimdecembrii. The infestation in section 422 herd being higher for B. sedecimdecembrii, I. ricinus, D. reticulatus, Ch. bovis. D. bisonianus was slightly more prevalent in the section 391 herd, the intensity being, however, lower than that in the other herd. Among the remaining arthropods found in the Bialowieza Forest European bison, some Lipoptena cervi occurred in both herds, Demodex sp. and Sarcoptes scabiei were recorded only in the section 422 herd, Ixodes persulcatus was present only in the section 391 bison and those kept in the reservation, while D. bovis, Psoroptes ovis, and Melophagus ovinus were found in the reserve bison only. In the present study, the largest differences in the extent of infestation involved the hair-dwelling arthropods (B. sedecimdecembrii, I. rixinus).

[Demodex ssp. (Acari, Demodecidae) in Mus musculus from Poland]. / Nowe gatunki Demodex ssp. (Acari, Demodecidae) u Mus muscul us w Polsce.

Two species (Demodex arvicolae and D. flagellurus) were collected in Mus musculus the first time in Poland. Also Myobia musculi was noted.

[Trusopt--a new form of drug for treating glaucoma]. / Trusopt--nowa forma leku w leczeniu jaskry.

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAI) have been investigated for topical administration in glaucoma therapy during the past few years. Dorzolamide is the first topical CAI to become available for clinical use. CAI's lower intraocular pressure (IOP) by the inhibition of bicarbonate secretion into the posterior chamber by the ciliary epithelium, thereby suppressing aqueous humor production and lowering the IOP. A topical CAI with ocular hypotensive efficacy is comparable with that of oral agents, but without their systemic effects would represent a major advance in medical treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Data from clinical trials with dorzolamid (Trusopt) have shown this topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor to be comparable in efficacy to beta-blockers when used as monotherapy, and as effective as pilocarpine when used as an adjunct to beta-blocker therapy. The aim of this paper was to present the results of long-term clinical and experimental studies with dorzolamid (Trusopt).

[Parasitic arthropods of Bison bonasus from the Bialowieza primeval forest]. / Stawonogi pasozytnicze zubra Bison bonasus z Puszczy Bialowieskiej.

During the period 1991-1993, 61 bisons from the Bialowieza Primaeval Forest were examined. 8 species of ectoparasites were noted: Bovicola sedecimdecembrii, Lipoptena cervi, Dermacentor reticulatus, Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes persulcatus, Chorioptes bovis, Psoroptes ovis, Demodex bisonianus. The most frequent incidence noted was D. bisonianus, prevalence 52%, followed B. sedecimdecembrii--28%, I. ricinus--12% and L. cervi 8%.

Demodex bisonianus sp. nov. (Acari, Demodicidae) a new parasite of the bison (Bison bonasus L.).

Demodex bisonianus sp. nov. (Acari, Demodicidae) and its stages of development has been described. It was found in the Meibomian glands of the Bison bonasus L. from the Puszcza Bialowieska (Poland).