Central retinal vein occlusion after mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccination: A case report.

A central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) case in a patient developed with sudden blurred vision in some hemifield areas of his left eye, maintaining 20/20 vision 15-days after the COVID-19 vaccination. Initial retinal findings were venous dilation and tortuosity with dispersing dot hemorrhages. Fluorescein angiography (FA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) confirmed a non-ischemic CRVO diagnosis, and a complete blood panel was requested with average results. An intravitreal steroid dose was applied. A decrease in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (20/30) with more intraretinal hemorrhages was documented. An intravitreal dose of bevacizumab and oral apixaban were added with a final BCVA of 20/20 with decreased hemorrhages. There is no specific causal relationship between COVID-19 vaccines and CRVO. Without previous risk factors and positive treatment response, this case may correlate the first COVID-19 vaccine dose and the event.

Oclusión vascular mixta de la retina en una paciente con síndrome antifosfolípido. Reporte de caso / Mixed retinal vascular occlusion secondary to antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. A case report

Introducción: La oclusión combinada de la arteria y la vena central de la retina es un evento vascular poco frecuente, caracterizado por pérdida visual súbita y pronóstico reservado. Los pocos casos reportados se asocian con antecedentes de patología sistémica vasculítica, reumatológica, infecciosa o tumoral. Objetivo: Describir un caso de doble oclusión vascular retiniana secundario a síndrome de anticuerpos antifosfolípidos. Resumen del caso: Se reporta el caso de una paciente de 31 años con oclusión de vena y arteria central de la retina, con historia clínica y paraclínicos compatibles con un síndrome de anticuerpos antifosfolípidos de base, enfermedad de difícil manejo con un pobre pronóstico visual, con secuelas visuales graves, rápidas e irreversibles. Conclusiones: Las oclusiones vasculares combinadas de arteria y vena central de la retina son poco frecuentes. Se caracterizan por pérdida súbita de la visión y hallazgos clínicos propios de ambos tipos de oclusiones: palidez retinal, mancha de color rojo cereza, dilatación venosa, hemorragias en llama, edema de disco, etc. Por lo regular tiende a relacionarse con patologías infecciosas, autoinmunitarias o tumorales, entre otras, como es el caso del síndrome antifosfolípido. Las opciones terapéuticas son limitadas y la respuesta es incierta, con un mal pronóstico visual y secuelas irreversibles

Introduction: Combined vascular occlusion of the central retinal artery and vein is a rare vascular event, characterized by sudden visual loss and uncertain prognosis. The few cases reported in literature are associated with a history of vasculitic, rheumatological, infectious or tumoral pathology. Objective: To describe a mixed retinal vascular occlusion secondary to antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. Case summary: We report a case with mixed retinal vascular occlusion in a patient with history of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome , with poor visual prognosis, difficult treatment and severe irreversible sequelae. Conclusions: Combined retinal vascular occlusions are rare entities characterized by sudden vision loss and clinical findings of both types of occlusions: retinal pallor, cherry red spot, venous dilatation, hemorrhages, disc edema, etc. Usually, these are related to infectious, autoimmune or neoplasic diseases, like antiphospholipid syndrome. The therapeutic options are limited and their effectiveness is vague, leading to poor visual prognosis and irreversible sequelae

Prevalencia de potenciales interacciones farmacológicas de Azitromicina en Colombia, 2012-2013 / Prevalence of potential drug interactions with azithromycin in Colombia, 2012-2013

Objetivos Determinar la prevalencia de potenciales interacciones farmacológicas entre azitromicina y diferentes antiarrítmicos del grupo IA y III en una base de datos de prescripción de medicamentos a nivel nacional durante el año 2012-2013. Métodos Estudio retrospectivo a partir de una base de datos poblacional de dispensación de medicamentos. Se extrajeron datos de los pacientes que recibieron azitromicina desde 1 de enero de 2012 a 30 junio de 2013, al igual que pacientes que recibieron este antibiótico en combinación a otros medicamentos con demostrado riesgo de provocar arritmias cardíacas al usarse concomitantemente. Se establecieron frecuencias y proporciones. Resultados Se identificaron 13 859 pacientes que recibieron azitromicina sola o en combinación con otros medicamentos. El tiempo promedio de uso fue 4,5±0,9 días; Un total de 702 pacientes (5,1 %) recibieron azitromicina más otros 19 fármacos de potencial riesgo. Los más frecuentemente asociados fueron: loratadina (77,1 %), difenhidramina (16,5 %) y amitriptilina (8,1 %). Las combinaciones con un solo medicamento fueron las más frecuentes (n=533, 75,9 %), con predominio de azitromicina+loratadina. El máximo número de fármacos combinados fue seis (n=2, 0,3 %). Conclusiones La identificación mediante bases de datos poblacionales la prescripción de medicamentos, es una manera eficaz de encontrar potenciales interacciones entre estos. La frecuencia de potenciales interacciones entre azitromicina y otros fármacos es común en pacientes colombianos. Se debe estimar el riesgo de ocurrencia de eventos cardiacos adversos.(AU)

Objective To determine the prevalence of potential drug interactions between azithromycin and different IA and III antiarrhythmic groups in a national database of drug prescriptions in 2012-2013. Methods Retrospective study based on a population database of medicine dispensation. Data from patients who received azithromycin between January 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013 were extracted along with data from patients who received azithromycin in combination with other medications shown to cause heart arrhythmias when used concomitantly. Frequencies and proportions were established. Results 13 859 patients receiving azithromycin alone or in combination with other drugs were identified. The average time of use was 4.5 ± 0.9 days. A total of 702 patients (5.1 %) received azithromycin plus 19 other potentially risky drugs. The most frequently associated were loratadine (77.1 %), diphenhydramine (16.5 %) and amitriptyline (8.1 %). Combinations with a single drug were the most frequent (n=533, 75.9 %), predominantly azithromycin+loratadine. The maximum number of combined drugs was six (n=2, 0.3 %). Conclusions Identification of drug prescriptions through population databases is an effective way to find potential drug interactions. The frequency of potential interactions between azithromycin and other drugs is common in Colombian patients. Future research should assess the risk of occurrence of adverse cardiac events.(AU)

Ocular toxocariasis: new diagnostic and therapeutic perspectives.

PURPOSE: To provide an updated insight of concepts regarding the overview, epidemiology, risk factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of ocular toxocariasis. DESIGN: Perspective of literature review. METHODS: Review and synthesis of literature about toxocariasis, with interpretation and perspective. A literature search for "ocular toxocariasis" was performed using PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, SciELO and LILACS databases. RESULTS: Mild to moderate infections are frequently reported in ocular toxocariasis which usually occurs in children and typically presents as unilateral vision impairment, blindness is common and could present invasion of the retina. There are three groups of presentation of toxocariasis (according to the physical examination): chronic endophthalmitis, posterior granuloma and peripheral granuloma. Standard diagnosis of ocular toxocariasis is based on the identification of clinical signs, supported by additional diagnostic methods. Regarding treatment, there is no commonly accepted regimen but most of the authors prefer to use steroids and anthelminthic agents, but nowadays there are no standardized parameters in terms of dosage, duration and route of administration. Surgery has been recommended in some cases. CONCLUSION: Toxocariasis is still a problem of public health, particularly in developing countries with an increasing epidemiological burden in terms of morbidity and mortality and most of the authors agree on the utmost relevance of its prevention. Clinical experience and suspicion of ophthalmologists make an important role in its diagnosis, but always with supportive diagnostic methods. Additional studies should explore new therapeutic options for toxocariasis.