A novel variant of the infectious bronchitis virus resulting from recombination events in Italy and Spain.

Infectious bronchitis is considered to be one of the most devastating diseases in poultry. Control of its spread is typically attempted through biosecurity measures and extensive vaccination. However, the remarkable genetic and antigenic variability of the virus, which originate from both mutations and recombination events, represents an unsolved challenge for this disease. The present study reports on the emergence and spread of recombinant clusters detected in Italy and Spain between 2012 and 2014. A total of 36 Spanish and Italian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) field strains were investigated and genetically characterized using phylogenetic, molecular, recombination and selection pressure analyses of the complete S1 gene. Based on the partial S1 sequencing, 27 IBV strains originating from Spain and nine from Italy were initially classified as being closely related to the Guandong/Xindadi (XDN) genotype. Phylogenetic analysis of the complete S1 gene revealed that the XDN strains formed a homogeneous clade with the Spanish IBV isolates within the QX genotype, whereas there was higher variability within the Italian strains. Recombination analysis determined that these strains belonged to four groups, which originated from independent recombination events between the QX and 793B IBV genotypes. Our data support the hypothesis of two different scenarios: firstly, in Spain, the large and homogeneous clade probably originated from a single offspring of the recombinant founder, which became dominant and spread throughout the country. Secondly, the nine Italian recombinants, which are characterized by three different recombination patterns, probably represent less fitted strains, because they were less viable with respect to their recombinant parents.

Nanoimaging: photophysical and pharmaceutical characterization of poly-lactide-co-glycolide nanoparticles engineered with quantum dots.

Quantum dots (QDs) and polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) are considered good binomials for the development of multifunctional nanomedicines for multimodal imaging. Fluorescent imaging of QDs can monitor the behavior of QD-labeled NPs in both cells and animals with high temporal and spatial resolutions. The comprehension of polymer interaction with the metallic QD surface must be considered to achieve a complete chemicophysical characterization of these systems and to describe the QD optical properties to be used for their unequivocal identification in the tissue. In this study, by comparing two different synthetic procedures to obtain polymeric nanoparticles labeled with QDs, we investigated whether their optical properties may change according to the formulation methods, as a consequence of the different polymeric environments. Atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, confocal and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy characterization demonstrated that NPs modified with QDs after the formulation process (post-NPs-QDs) conserved the photophysical features of the QD probe. In contrast, by using a polymer modified with QDs to formulate NPs (pre-NPs-QDs), a significant quenching of QD fluorescence and a blueshift in its emission spectra were observed. Our results suggest that the packaging of QDs into the polymeric matrix causes a modification of the QD optical properties: these effects must be characterized in depth and carefully considered when developing nanosystems for imaging and biological applications.

Study of oral cavity lesions by infrared spectroscopy.

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy is considered a useful tool in the biomedical field, for analysing in situ and at cellular level, very small areas of tissues and cells, with minimal sample preparation and without the use of stains or probes. This spectroscopic technique has been successfully applied to analyse biological samples from patients affected by tumoral pathologies, with particular attention to oral cavity lesions. In this study, we describe the application of FTIR microspectroscopy to characterize and discriminate the most recurrent benign and malignant diseases of oral cavity compartment. Infrared maps were acquired on tissues affected by the following pathologies: squamous cell carcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma, squamous dysplasia, keratocystic odontogenic tumor, radicular cyst, residual cyst, unicystic ameloblastoma, and ameloblastic fibroma, together with healthy tissue samples (used as control group). The epithelial and connective components of all samples were distinguished and submitted to multivariate analysis. The results were in agreement with histological suggestions.

Exploiting Bacterial Pathways for BBB Crossing with PLGA Nanoparticles Modified with a Mutated Form of Diphtheria Toxin (CRM197): In Vivo Experiments.

Drugs can be targeted to the brain using polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) engineered on their surface with ligands able to allow crossing of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). This article aims to investigate the BBB crossing efficiency of polymeric poly lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) NPs modified with a mutated form of diphtheria toxin (CRM197) in comparison with the results previously obtained using PLGA NPs modified with a glycopeptide (g7-NPs). Different kinds of NPs, covalently coupled PLGA with different fluorescent probes (DY405, rhodamine-B base and DY675) and different ligands (g7 and CRM197) were tested in vivo to assess their behavior and trafficking. The results highlighted the possibility to distinguish the different kinds of simultaneously administered NPs and to emphasize that CRM-197 modified NPs and g7-NPs can cross the BBB at a similar extent. The analysis of BBB crossing and of the neuronal tropism of CRM197 modified NPs, along with their BBB crossing pathways were also developed. In vivo pharmacological studies performed on CRM197 engineered NPs, loaded with loperamide, underlined their ability as drug carriers to the CNS.

Vibrational characterization of female gametes: a comparative study.

In the last few years, vibrational spectroscopies have been widely applied in biology and medicine, as a synergic support to commonly used analytical and diagnostic techniques. This review summarizes the relevant researches carried out by using FTIR and Raman spectroscopy on oviparous and mammalian gametes, including human ones.

Development of a feed additive to reduce caecal Campylobacter jejuni in broilers at slaughter age: from in vitro to in vivo, a proof of concept.

AIM: In vitro and in vivo challenge studies were undertaken to develop an in-feed additive of microencapsulated propionic, sorbic acids and pure botanicals to control Campylobacter jejuni in broilers at slaughter age. METHODS AND RESULTS: Organic acids (OA) and pure botanicals were tested in vitro against Camp. jejuni, whereas in vivo, chickens were fed either a control diet, or increasing doses of the additive for 42 days (experiment 1); in the second experiment, chickens received the additive at 0.1 or 0.3% from day 0 to 21 or from day 22 to 42. The additive consistently reduced Camp. jejuni caecal counts at any given dose (exp. 1) or inclusion plan (exp. 2). Moreover, it was able to reduce the number of goblet cells and modify mucin glycoconjugates biosynthesis pattern. CONCLUSIONS: We developed an additive that was effective in reducing Camp. jejuni in slaughter-age chickens even at low doses (0.1%). That efficacy was the result of the synergistic action between OA and botanicals. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study provides a strategy to reduce Camp. jejuni in broilers and, as a consequence, to improve the safety of the food chain. Moreover, data suggest that a treatment limited to the last weeks before slaughter would allow to save on inclusion of the additive throughout the whole production cycle.

Industrial wastes from the boat-building sector in the Marche Region (Italy): a parametric and chemical-physical characterization.

Using the renowned leisure boat-building sector in the Marche Region (Italy) as a case-study, this paper addresses the characterization of (1) the industrial waste generation from the building of composite material-based boats and (2) some chemical-physical properties of representative types of boat-building residues (plastic foam, hardened resin, fibre-reinforced composite residues, and sanding dust). A parametric evaluation based on the number of employees gave a representative unit generation rate per employee (UGRpE) of 1.47 tons(waste) employee(-1) year(-1) for the entire Marche regional boatbuilding district, whereas evaluations carried out separately for three case-study companies provided values of 1.56, 3.07, and 1.12 tons(waste) employee(-1) year(-1) as representative for a mass-produced motor boat builder (case-study company '1'), a customized sailing boat builder (case-study company '2'), and a mould and structural component builder (case-study company '3'), respectively. The original proposal and evaluation of two additional generation rates based on physical characteristics intrinsic to the manufactured product, i.e. the unit generation rate per boat area (UGRpA) and per boat weight (UGRpW), confirmed the higher waste generation for the sailing boat builder(representative UGRpA and UGRpW values of 0.35 tons(waste) m(-2)(boat) year(-1) and 2. 71 tons(waste) tons(-1)(boat) year(-1), respectively) compared with the motor boat builder (representative UGRpA and UGRpW values of 0.06 tons(waste) m(-2)(boat) year(-1) and 0.49 tons(waste) tons(-1)(boat) year(-1), respectively). The chemical-physical property characterization of the selected residues revealed the following aspects: a general condition of low moisture contents; significant ash contents in the glass- and carbon-fibre composite residues and the correlated sanding dust; and relatively high energy content values in the overall range 14,144-32,479 kJ kg(-1), expressed as the lower heating value.

Retrospective assessment of tolerability and efficacy of zoledronate in the palliative treatment of cancer-bearing dogs.

Zoledronate is a bisphosphonate frequently used for the treatment of hypercalcaemia of malignancy and tumour-associated bone pain in dogs, however, there is a paucity of information regarding its use in veterinary medicine. The aim of this retrospective study was to report the tolerability of zoledronate in the palliative treatment of cancer-bearing dogs and secondarily to to assess the efficacy of zoledronate for the treatment of hypercalcaemia of malignancy. Thirty-seven dogs (22 with tumour-associated bone pain and 15 with hypercalcaemia of malignancy) that received 114 zoledronate infusions were included. Tolerability was assessed by the absence of post-zoledronate hypocalcaemia or other adverse events as defined by Veterinary Cooperative Oncology Group-Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events criteria. Efficacy was assessed by comparison of available ionized calcium levels before and after zoledronate administration in hypercalcaemic dogs. In 79% of zoledronate infusions, no adverse events were reported. The majority of adverse events which occurred in the other 21% of infusions could be attributed to concurrent chemotherapy or the underlying neoplastic disease. There was a small but significant increase in creatinine following treatment with zoledronate, however, none of the dogs developed clinically significant renal disease. In eight hypercalcaemic dogs with available ionized calcium following zoledronate administration, ionized calcium decreased rapidly within 7 days following treatment with zoledronate. Zoledronate is well-tolerated with few recorded adverse events, however, monitoring of serum creatinine is advised. Zoledronate seems to be effective in the treatment of hypercalcaemia of malignancy.

Asymptomatic bacteriuria in candidates for active treatment of renal stones: results from an international multicentric study on more than 2600 patients.

The occurrence of asymptomatic bacteriuria concomitant to urolithiasis is an issue for patients undergoing renal stone treatment. Disposing of a preoperative urine culture is essential to reduce the risk of septic events. The endpoint of the study is to report which characteristics of candidates for renal stone treatment are frequently associated with positive urine culture. 2605 patients were retrospectively enrolled from 14 centers; inclusion criteria were age > 18 and presence of a single renal stone 1-2 cm in size. The variables collected included age, gender, previous renal surgery, comorbidities, skin-to-stone distance, stone size, location, density, presence of hydronephrosis. After a descriptive analysis, the association between continuous and categorical variables and the presence of positive urine culture was assessed using a logistic regression model. Overall, 240/2605 patients (9%) had preoperative bacteriuria. Positive urine culture was more frequent in females, patients with previous renal interventions, chronic kidney disease, congenital anomalies, larger stones, increased density. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that previous renal interventions (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.9-3.4; p < 0.001), renal-related comorbidities (OR 1.31; 95% CI 1.19-1.4; p < 0.001), higher stone size (OR 1.06; 95% CI 1.02-1.1; p = 0.01) and density (OR 1.00; 95% CI 1.0-1.00; p = 0.02) were associated with bacteriuria; male gender and lower caliceal location were inversely related to it. Beyond expected risk factors, such as female gender, other parameters are seemingly favoring the presence of positive urine culture. The awareness of variables associated with bacteriuria allows to assess which individuals are at increased risk of presenting bacteriuria and reduce the rate of septic complications.

Onset and dynamics of vortex-antivortex pairs in polariton optical parametric oscillator superfluids.

We study, both theoretically and experimentally, the occurrence of topological defects in polariton superfluids in the optical parametric oscillator (OPO) regime. We explain in terms of local supercurrents the deterministic behavior of both the onset and dynamics of vortex-antivortex pairs generated by perturbing the system with a pulsed probe. Using a generalized Gross-Pitaevskii equation, including photonic disorder, pumping and decay, we elucidate the reason why topological defects form in couples and can be detected by direct visualizations in multishot OPO experiments.

NIR-labeled nanoparticles engineered for brain targeting: in vivo optical imaging application and fluorescent microscopy evidences.

The presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) makes extremely difficult to develop efficacious strategies for targeting contrast agents and delivering drugs inside the Central Nervous System (CNS). To overcome this drawback, several kinds of CNS-targeted nanoparticles (NPs) have been developed. In particular, we proposed poly-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) NPs engineered with a simil-opioid glycopeptide (g7), which have already proved to be a promising tool for achieving a successful brain targeting after i.v. administration in rats. In order to obtain CNS-targeted NPs to use for in vivo imaging, we synthesized and administrated in mice PLGA NPs with double coverage: near-infrared (NIR) probe (DY-675) and g7. The optical imaging clearly showed a brain localization of these novel NPs. Thus, a novel kind of NIR-labeled NPs were obtained, providing a new, in vivo detectable nanotechnology tool. Besides, the confocal and fluorescence microscopy evidences allowed to further confirm the ability of g7 to promote not only the rat, but also the mouse BBB crossing.

The loading of labelled antibody-engineered nanoparticles with Indinavir increases its in vitro efficacy against Cryptosporidium parvum.

There is much evidence to indicate the ability of Indinavir (IND) to reduce Cryptosporidium parvum infection in both in vitro and in vivo models. However, there are limitations to the administration of IND as such, due to its renal toxicity and the high rate of metabolism and degradation. We aimed to encapsulate IND in biodegradable poly (D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles (Np) and to engineer their surface by conjugation with an anti-Cryptosporidium IgG polyclonal antibody (Ab). Tetramethylrhodamine-labelled Np were loaded with IND and modified by conjugation with an Ab. The IND-loaded modified Np (Ab-TMR-IND-Np) did not show any change, as demonstrated by chemical analysis studies. Simultaneous addition of 50µM Ab-TMR-IND-Np and excysted oocysts to the cell culture resulted in complete inhibition of the infection. In C. parvum-infected cells, the extent to which the infection decreased depended on the duration of treatment with the Ab-TMR-IND-Np. The antibody-engineered Np loaded with IND were able to target C. parvum in infected cells and therefore might represent a novel therapeutic strategy against Cryptosporidium sp. infection. Moreover, the use of Np as an IND delivery device, allows the development of a more appropriate dose formulation thereby reducing the IND side effects.

Microencapsulated sorbic acid and nature-identical compounds reduced Salmonella Hadar and Salmonella Enteritidis colonization in experimentally infected chickens.

The reduction of Salmonella prevalence in broilers is a priority in European Union agricultural policies because treatment with antibiotics is forbidden by Regulation (EC) 2160/2003. Two trials were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a microencapsulated blend of sorbic acid and nature-identical compounds (i.e., chemically synthesized botanicals; SAB) on the reduction of the cecal prevalence and contents of Salmonella enterica serovars Hadar and Enteritidis in experimentally infected chickens. In the first trial, 125 one-day-old Lohmann specific-pathogen-free chickens were assigned to one of the following treatments: negative control (not challenged and not treated), positive control (challenged and not treated), SAB0.3, SAB1, or SAB5 (challenged and treated with the microencapsulated blend included in the feed at 0.03, 0.1, or 0.5%, respectively). At 30 d of age, birds were infected with 10(6) cfu of Salmonella Hadar, and after 5, 10, or 20 d postinfection, 5, 10, and 10 birds per treatment, respectively, were killed and the cecal contents and liver and spleen samples were analyzed for Salmonella Hadar. In the second trial, 100 one-day-old Ross 708 chickens were assigned to 1 of 5 treatments: control (not treated), SAB0.3, SAB1, SAB2, or SAB5 (treated with the blend included in the feed at 0.03, 0.1, 0.2, or 0.5%, respectively). At 7 d of age, the birds were challenged with 10(5) cfu of Salmonella Enteritidis, and after 7, 14, or 24 d after challenge, 5, 5, and 10 birds per treatment, respectively, were killed and cecal contents were analyzed for Salmonella Enteritidis. Results showed that in the early stage of infection Salmonella prevalence was high in both studies, whereas at the end of the observation periods, the blends at 0.03, 0.1, and 0.5 in the challenge with Salmonella Hadar and at 0.2 and 0.5% in the challenge with Salmonella Enteritidis significantly reduced (by 2 log(10) cfu) the cecal content of Salmonella. This study showed that intestinal delivery of microencapsulated sorbic acid and nature-identical compounds can result in a 100-fold reduction of Salmonella at the intestinal level in broilers at slaughter age.

Back in control of intentional action: Improvement of ideomotor apraxia by mirror box treatment.

OBJECTIVES: A novel method of rehabilitation for ideomotor apraxia (IMA), using a modified version of the mirror box (MB), is proposed. The rationale is based on the theory that disrupted body representation occurs in IMA and that MB training may improve body representation. In the present MB training, patients observed and reproduced movements made by the experimenter in a mirror. The visual perspective gave the illusory sensation of seeing one's own affected hand in the mirror. METHODS: Thirteen patients were included in the study; apraxia was measured four times: i) at baseline; ii) after a week of unspecific poststroke rehabilitation (rest); iii) after a week of imitation training for apraxia, used as a control; and iv) after a week of MB training. Imitation and mirror box training were presented in counterbalanced order between participants. The effect of the mirror box on a measure of body representation was also assessed. RESULTS: The results show that MB training improved apraxia when compared to the outcomes in both the imitation and rest conditions. The improvement correlates with the impact of the mirror box on the body representation (i.e., the degree of embodiment). CONCLUSIONS: MB training shows promising effects in promoting recovery from apraxia. The hypothesis is that the mirror box triggers a quickly generated sense of embodiment of the reflected moving arm into the observer's body representation. This embodiment of the visuomotor features of the observed movements would positively affect motor programming, promoting motor improvement. Crucially, this effect seems to extend to actions performed outside the mirror box setup, enhancing patients' performance on an apraxia test.

Spontaneous in-the-bag intraocular lens luxation into the vitreous cavity: last-stage complication of pseudoexfoliative syndrome after phacoemulsification.

PURPOSE: We describe 8 cases of late spontaneous in-the-bag intraocular lens (IOL) luxation into the vitreous cavity, which occurred at the Department of Ophthalmology and Neurosurgery of the University of Siena between January and December 2006. METHODS: In this interventional case series, the medical records of all patients with posterior luxation of in-the-bag IOLs - who had undergone a pars plana vitrectomy with IOL removal and scleral fixation IOL implantation between January and December 2007 at the Department of Ophthalmology and Neurosurgery of Siena, Italy - were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The final post- operative visual acuity was 20/30 or better in 6 patients, while myopic macular degeneration and total retinal detachment limited visual acuity in the remaining 2 patients. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of pseudoexfoliation (PEX) in the patients who had been operated for cataract phacoemulsification in our department could explain the occurrence of 8 posterior luxations of in-the-bag IOLs in only 1 year. Our study suggests that for the next years we will expect an increase in occurrence of spontaneous in-the- bag IOL luxations in the vitreous cavity. This condition could represent the last stage of PEX syndrome.

A randomized prospective study comparing trabeculectomy with and without the use of a new removable suture.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this prospective study is to verify, in terms of both early postoperative complications and intraocular pressure (IOP) outcomes, the performance of a scleral flap removable suture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-six patients that underwent trabeculectomy were randomly divided into two groups: in the first group (group A, 33 eyes) a standard fornix-based trabeculectomy was performed by using a conjunctival chain suture. In the second group (group B, 33 eyes) the same technique was performed with the additional employment of a new removable suture to the scleral flap. The patients were followed-up for 12 months. RESULTS: After 1 year the mean IOP was 16.58 mmHg (+/-3.73 mmHg) in group A, and 16.12 mmHg (+/-4.21 mmHg) in group B; statistical analysis did not show significant differences between the two groups (P = 0.19). Early postoperative hypotony and shallowing of the anterior chamber were significantly more frequent after standard trabeculectomy than after trabeculectomy using the removable suture (P < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The employment of a fornix-based conjunctival chain suture for the flap allows the use of the removable scleral flap suture, which has proved very effective in preventing insufficient flap resistance with aqueous overdrainage and hypotony, and which is also easy to apply and to remove. Compared with standard trabeculectomy, this device has proved to have similar IOP-lowering efficacy, together with a lower rate of early postoperative complications.

In vivo confocal microscopy in bilateral herpetic keratitis: a case report.

PURPOSE: Bilateral herpetic keratitis is a rare infection of the cornea. Ocular herpes in atopic patients is more often bilateral, with more frequent recurrences. The authors report a case of bilateral herpes simplex virus (HSV) keratitis during the active phase studied by in vivo confocal microscopy. METHODS: A 28-year-old man with 5 years history of unilateral HSV keratitis and atopic dermatitis was referred to the authors for a clinical and diagnostic evaluation.RESULTS. The corneas showed the typical features of dendritic HSV keratitis in both eyes. Examination by in vivo confocal microscopy demonstrated similar lesions in both eyes: a distortion of the superficial and basal epithelium and the presence of irregular hyperreflective structures and dendritic particles near the epithelial cells. The subbasal nerve plexus presented a tortuous appearance with hyperreflective areas and beadlike formations along the fibers. After a week of antiviral treatment, in vivo confocal microscopy examination demonstrated an irregular epithelium with highly reflective deposits and reflective areas. A reduction of nerve fiber bundles with a large number of beadlike formations and abnormal tortuosity was also noted. CONCLUSIONS: In vivo confocal microscopy enables a noninvasive evaluation of the ocular surface at a high magnification level. It could be useful for the early and differential diagnosis of corneal infections and when HSV keratitis recurrence is suspected.

Monitoring of ochratoxin A and ochratoxin-producing fungi in traditional salami manufactured in Northern Italy.

Fungi have a crucial role in the correct maturation of salami, but special attention should be addressed to the production of the nephrotoxic, immunotoxic, and carcinogenic mycotoxin ochratoxin A (OTA). In a monitoring study conducted in Northern Italy, OTA was detected by liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry in 13 out 133 samples of traditional salami (9.8% of the total count). Mycological analysis of these samples yielded 247 fungal isolates which were identified to species level. The most frequent species were Penicillium nalgiovense, P. solitum, and P. chrysogenum. P. nordicum, an OTA-producing species commonly found in proteinaceous food, was not found in these samples. Three isolates were found to be Aspergillus westerdijkiae, an OTA-producing species. In order to check the results of the microbiological identification, 19 different strains of Aspergillus and 94 of Penicillium were tested for the presence of a sequence common to OTA-producing fungi by real-time PCR. None of the studied isolates, including the three A. westerdijkiae, possessed the otanpsPN target which is common to OTA-producing strains. Two out of three isolates of the A. westerdijkiae were also PCR-negative for the otanpsPN gene and did not produce OTA in culture. Conversely, this target sequence was amplified from the DNA purified from 14 salami casings including three casings harboring A. westerdijkiae. The amplification of sequences specific for OTA-producing strains performed on total genomic DNA extracted directly from salami casings provided a more suitable approach than PCR analysis of isolates from salami for the OTA-related otanpsPN gene to evaluate the risk of OTA contamination.

Cytoplasmic and nuclear interaction between Rb family proteins and PAI-2: a physiological crosstalk in human corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells.

Extracellular plasminogen activator inhibitor type-2 (PAI-2) is a potent inhibitor of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) and also acts as a multifunctional protein. However, the biological activity of intracellular PAI-2, as well as its intracellular targets, until now remain an enigma. Here, we show that pRb2/p130 and Rb1/p105, but not p107, interact with PAI-2 in both the cytoplasm and nucleus of normal primary human corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells. We provided the first in vivo evidence that a specific fragment of the PAI-2 promoter is bound simultaneously by pRb2/ p130, PAI-2, E2F5, histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1), DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), and histone methyltransferase (SUV39H1), in normal primary human corneal epithelial cells, and by pRb2/p130, PAI-2, E2F5, HDAC1, and DNMT1, in normal primary human conjunctiva epithelial cells. Our results strongly indicate a physiological interaction between pRb family members and PAI-2, suggesting the hypothesis that pRb2/p130 and PAI-2 may cooperate in modulating PAI-2 gene expression by chromatin remodeling, in normal corneal and conjunctival cells.

Unilateral corneal endothelial dystrophy and anterior keratoconus.

PURPOSE: To describe a case of keratoconus and Fuchs' corneal endothelial dystrophy in the left eye with no corneal disease in the right eye. METHODS: A 64-year-old woman presented with visual impairment in her left eye; computer-assisted topographic analysis and specular microscopy were performed in both eyes and left cornea was histopathologically examined. RESULTS: Keratoconus was diagnosed by slit-lamp examination, keratometry, and computer-assisted topographic analysis. Corneal endothelial dystrophy was diagnosed on the basis of clinical examination and specular microscopy. Histopathologic examination revealed a stromal degeneration typical of keratoconus and a non-guttae form of endothelial dystrophy. CONCLUSIONS: This is a rare case of unilateral corneal endothelial dystrophy and keratoconus.