Moraxella Keratitis: A Case Series.

OBJECTIVE: To report the ocular and systemic risk factors, clinical manifestations, and management outcomes of Moraxella keratitis. METHODS: This retrospective study included patients with culture-proven Moraxella keratitis in South Texas between 2012 and 2018. Clinical data including demographics, ocular and systemic risk factors, clinical presentation, speciation, and treatment course were collected. RESULTS: Fourteen eyes of 14 patients had culture-proven Moraxella keratitis which made up 8.1% of cases of culture-proven bacterial keratitis in the period studied. These included 10 men and 4 women with a mean age of 52.7±11.3 years. Ten patients (71.4%) had different ocular risk factors such as ocular trauma, corneal foreign body, contact lens use, preceding viral keratitis, neurotrophic cornea, and recent corneal transplant on topical steroids. Systemic risk factors included diabetes mellitus, systemic immunosuppressive therapy, cancer chemotherapy, and AIDS. There was no specific clinical manifestation. The size of stromal infiltration on initial presentation varied among the cases, with 71.4% stromal infiltrations of 4 mm or less. The patients were managed with fortified tobramycin, fortified vancomycin, and moxifloxacin eye drops. No eyes required surgical intervention during treatment for the active infection, except for one eye with pre-existing no light perception that was enucleated because of chronic pain. CONCLUSIONS: Moraxella keratitis is a less frequent form of bacterial keratitis that appears more prevalent in patients with previous ocular conditions. Early diagnosis of this infection and medical treatment with a conventional corneal ulcer regimen can result in good clinical outcomes without the need for a surgical intervention.

Giant papillary conjunctivitis: A review.

Giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC), which is characterized by the development of "giant" papillae on the superior tarsal conjunctiva, is a common complication in contact lens wearers. This condition can be associated with excessive mucus production, itching, blurry vision, and diminished contact lens tolerance. Risk factors for GPC include non-disposable lenses, infrequent lens replacement, long wearing time, inadequate lens hygiene, and atopy. Although the exact pathophysiology of GPC remains incompletely understood, it likely develops from the combination of mechanical trauma to the superior tarsal conjunctiva and an immunologic response by the conjunctiva to deposits on the anterior surface of the contact lens. With proper management, GPC has an excellent prognosis. In mild cases, prompt contact lens cessation is sufficient for the resolution of signs and symptoms. For more severe cases, the use of topical anti-histaminic agents is indicated. Uncommonly, topical steroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, immunomodulatory medications, or very rarely surgery may be needed. In this review article, we provide a comprehensive review of the available literature on GPC, with an emphasis on recent findings and treatment advances for this common condition.

Complete Genome Sequences of Staphylococcus epidermidis Myophages Quidividi, Terranova, and Twillingate.

Staphylococcus epidermidis is an opportunistic pathogen that commonly colonizes human skin and mucous membranes. We report here the complete genome sequences of three S. epidermidis phages, Quidividi, Terranova, and Twillingate, which are members of the Twort-like group of large myophages infecting Gram-positive hosts.