Remission in Crohn's disease is accompanied by alterations in the gut microbiota and mucins production.

Previous studies have demonstrated that patients with Crohn's disease (CD) in remission do not exhibit an improvement in gut microbiota composition, which might trigger relapses. The present study investigated the dysbiosis and mucins production in CD patients during remission. We performed an analytical cross-sectional single center study, which recruited 18 CD patients and 18 healthy controls (CG) residing in the same home, meaning that all of the participants experienced the same environmental factors, with similar hygiene status, diet, pollution and other common lifestyle characteristics that may influence the composition of the gut microbiota. When compared to healthy controls, the CD patients exhibited lower microbial α-diversity (p = 0.047), a greater abundance of the Proteobacteria phylum (p = 0.037) and a reduction in the Deltaproteobacteria class (p = 0.0006). There was also a reduction in the Akkermansia (p = 0.002) and Oscillospira (p = 0.024) genera and in the proportion of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (p = 0.01). Additionally, CD patients in remission presented increased neutral (p = 0.001) and acid mucin (p = 0.002) concentrations. The reductions in the proportions of Oscollospira and Akkermansia genera, sulfate-reducing bacteria and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, observed in the CD group, may account for the increased mucins production observed in these patients.

Bilateral subacute lacrimal gland enlargement mimicking dacryoadenitis in a 7-year-old boy: a rare adverse effect of valproic acid (sodium valproate).

A healthy 7-year-old boy presented with bilateral symmetrical lacrimal gland enlargement; a week later salivary gland enlargement was also noted. Clinical investigations suggested no diagnosis, and surgical biopsy was considered. Valproic acid (sodium valproate), which he was taking for absence seizures, has been reported to cause salivary gland swelling in adults. Suspecting that a similar mechanism could be causal, the drug was discontinued. Complete resolution of the lacrimal and salivary gland enlargement rapidly ensued. This is the first report of lacrimal gland enlargement caused by valproic acid.

Posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy in X linked Alport syndrome / Distrofia corneana polimorfa posterior em Síndrome de Alport

ABSTRACT We describe a six-year-old boy with a history of hematuria, posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy and dots and fleck retinopathy. Alport syndrome should be ruled out in patients presenting with posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy or anterior lenticonus and a family history of renal disease.

RESUMO Descrevemos um paciente de 6 anos de idade com história de hematúria, distrofia corneana polimorfa posterior e retinopatia em "dots and flecks". Síndrome de Alport deve ser excluída se o paciente apresentar com distrofia corneana polimorfa posterior ou lenticone anterior com historia familiar de doença renal.

Enlarging corneoscleral cyst in a 2-year-old girl.

Cysts rarely develop within the cornea or sclera of children with no previous history of trauma or surgery. Primary corneoscleral cysts may arise from proliferation of anomalously situated epithelial or endothelial cells. We report the case of a 2-year-old girl with a primary enlarging cyst situated at the limbus of her left eye. Optical coherence tomography was used to determine whether there was any communication between the cyst and the anterior chamber and to help plan appropriate management.

Clinical Pearls and Management Recommendations for Strabismus due to Thyroid Orbitopathy.

Thyroid orbitopathy causes a unique form of strabismus with adult-onset diplopia. Prisms can be a temporizing measure, but many patients require strabismus surgery, which can be challenging. In this article, we highlight clinical guidelines for addressing strabismus due to thyroid orbitopathy and review our surgical experience.