Ultrasonographic characteristics of active ocular toxoplasmosis / Achados ultrassonográficos em toxoplasmose ocular ativa

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate ophthalmic ultrasonographic findings associated with active ocular toxoplasmosis. Methods: Forty-seven eyes with active ocular toxoplasmosis in 47 patients were subjected to ocular ultrasonography using the transpalpebral technique (10-MHz transducer) and fundus photography. Patient medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Ocular ultrasonography revealed vitritis, posterior vitreous detachment, retinal wall thickening, and non-rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in 47 (100%), 36 [76.6%; partial in 12 (25.5%) and total in 23 (48.9%)], 12 (25.5%), and 5 eyes (10.6%). Thirty-five of the 36 eyes with posterior vitreous detachment (97.2%) exhibited posterior hyaloid thickening; moreover, adhesion to the exudative lesion and vitreoschisis were observed in 4 (11.1%) and 12 eyes (25.5%), respectively. Ultrasonography detected the location of the exudative focus in 12 eyes (25.5%). Conclusion: Ultrasonography is helpful for detecting important intraocular findings of acute ocular toxoplasmosis that can be hindered by medial opacity or posterior synechiae.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar os achados da ultrassonografia na toxoplasmose ocular ativa. Métodos: Quarenta e sete olhos com toxoplasmose ocular ativa em 47 pacientes foram submetidos à ultrassonografia ocular pela técnica transpalpebral (transdutor de 10 MHz) e fundo de olho. Os prontuários médicos foram revistos retrospectivamente. Resultados: A ultrassonografia ocular revelou vitreíte, descolamento vítreo posterior, espessamento da parede da retina e descolamento de retina não regmatogênico em 47 (100%), 36 [76,6%; parcial em 12 (25,5%) e total em 23 (48,9%)], 12 (25,5%) e 5 olhos (10,6%). Trinta e cinco dos 36 olhos com descolamento vítreo posterior (97,2%) exibiram espessamento hialoide posterior; além disso, a adesão à lesão exsudativa e vitreosquise foi observada em 4 (11,1%) e 12 (25,5%), respectivamente. A ultrassonografia detectou a localização do foco exsudativo em 12 olhos (25,5%). Conclusão: A ultrassonografia é útil na detecção de importantes achados intra-oculares de toxoplasmose ocular aguda que podem ser prejudicados pela opacidade medial ou sinéquia posterior.

CLINICAL PATHOLOGIC CORRELATION OF SARCOIDOSIS-ASSOCIATED MULTIFOCAL CHORIORETINITIS IN AN ELDERLY PATIENT.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: To describe a case of histopathologic clinical correlation of sarcoidosis-related multifocal chorioretinitis in an elderly individual. METHODS: This is a single case report and review of the pertinent literature. A 72-year-old white woman with a history of asthma was referred with bilateral asymmetric low-grade chronic panuveitis with advancing peripheral punched-out chorioretinal lesions despite systemic corticosteroid treatment. RESULTS: Coalescent chorioretinal punched-out lesions on fundus examination in the more severely affected right eye did not respond to corticosteroid treatment, and the refractory nature resulted in a suspicion of intraocular lymphoma despite a previous inconclusive diagnostic vitrectomy result. A transvitreal chorioretinal biopsy in the vitrectomized eye demonstrated a chorioretinal noncaseating granuloma centered on the choriocapillaris and invading Bruch membrane and the outer retina. This case illustrates an example of the second peak of incidence in sarcoidosis that can occur in ages >50 in Caucasians and Japanese patients, as well as a tendency to develop chronic disease in Caucasians, and to have extrapulmonary sarcoidosis in the elderly. CONCLUSION: This case emphasizes the differences in presentation of ocular sarcoid in older Caucasian women as well as the histopathologic findings in multifocal peripheral chorioretinitis associated with sarcoidosis.

Safety and Efficacy of AAV5 Vectors Expressing Human or Canine CNGB3 in CNGB3-Mutant Dogs.

Achromatopsia is an inherited retinal disorder of cone photoreceptors characterized by markedly reduced visual acuity, extreme light sensitivity, and absence of color discrimination. Approximately 50% of cases are caused by mutations in the cone photoreceptor-specific cyclic nucleotide gated channel beta subunit (CNGB3) gene. Studies in CNGB3-mutant dogs showed that subretinal injection of an AAV vector expressing human CNGB3, which has 76% amino acid identity with canine CNGB3, driven by a 2.1 kb human red cone opsin promoter (PR2.1) and packaged in AAV5 capsids (AAV5-PR2.1-hCNGB3) rescued cone photoreceptor function, but at high doses was associated with an inflammatory response (focal chorioretinitis) consistent with immune-mediated toxicity. AAV vectors containing the PR2.1 promoter packaged in AAV5 capsids and expressing either the native canine CNGB3 (AAV5-PR2.1-cCNGB3) or the human CNGB3 (AAV5-PR2.1-hCNGB3) were evaluated at different dose levels in CNGB3-mutant dogs. The vector expressing canine CNGB3 achieved somewhat better rescue of cone function but unexpectedly was associated with a greater degree of retinal toxicity than the vector expressing human CNGB3. Very low-level T-cell immune responses to some AAV or CNGB3 peptides were observed in animals that received the higher vector dose. There was a more than twofold increase in serum neutralizing antibodies to AAV in one of three animals in the low-dose group and in two of three animals in the high-dose group. No serum anti-hCNGB3 antibodies were detected in any animal. The results of this study do not support the hypothesis that the focal chorioretinitis seen with high doses of AAV5-PR2.1-hCNGB3 in the initial studies was due to an immune response to human CNGB3.

Incidence and Risk Factors of Ocular Infection Caused by Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia.

Staphylococcus aureusbacteremia (SAB) often leads to ocular infections, including endophthalmitis and chorioretinitis. However, the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of ocular infections complicated by SAB are largely unknown. We retrospectively analyzed the incidence and risk factors of ocular involvement in a prospective cohort of patients with SAB at a tertiary-care hospital. Ophthalmologists reviewed the fundoscopic findings and classified the ocular infections as endophthalmitis or chorioretinitis. During the 5-year study period, 1,109 patients had SAB, and data for 612 (55%) who underwent ophthalmic examinations within 14 days after SAB onset were analyzed. Of those 612 patients, 56 (9% [95% confidence interval [CI], 7 to 12%]) had ocular involvement, including 15 (2.5%) with endophthalmitis and 41 (6.7%) with chorioretinitis. In a multivariate analysis, infective endocarditis (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 5.74 [95% CI, 2.25 to 14.64]) and metastatic infection (aOR, 2.38 [95% CI, 1.29 to 4.39]) were independent risk factors for ocular involvement. Of the 47 patients with ocular involvement who could communicate, only 17 (36%) had visual disturbances. Two-thirds of the patients with endophthalmitis (10/15 patients) were treated with intravitreal antibiotics combined with parenteral antibiotics, whereas all of the patients with chorioretinitis were treated only with systemic antibiotics. No patients became blind. Among 42 patients for whom follow-up assessments were available, the ocular lesions improved in 29 (69%) but remained the same in the others. Ocular involvement was independently associated with death within 30 days after SAB onset. Ocular involvement is not uncommon among patients with SAB. Routine ophthalmic examinations should be considered for patients with infective endocarditis or metastatic infections caused by SAB.

Visual function and macular architecture in patients with inactive zone 2 and 3 toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis / Função visual e arquitetura macular em pacientes com retinocoroidite toxoplásmica inativa nas zonas 2 e 3

ABSTRACTPurpose:To evaluate the visual function and architecture of the central and peripapillary retina in patients with inactive toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis outside the macular and peripapillary regions (zones 2 and 3).Methods:Cross-sectional study of 20 eyes (18 patients) with zone 2 and 3 toxoplasmic scars and visual acuity ≥20/25. Patients underwent Humphrey 10-2 perimetry, contrast sensitivity (Mars test), and color vision testing (L'Anthony desaturated D-15). The retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and macular thicknesses were determined by optical coherence tomography.Results:The patients' mean age was 27.4 ± 10.3 years, and the mean duration of remission was 6.15 ± 5.19 months. Abnormal contrast sensitivity and color vision were observed in three (15.0%) and four eyes (20.0%), respectively. Mean deviation (MD) and pattern standard deviation (PSD) fell outside the 95% normal confidence limits of the perimeter's database in 14 (70.0%) and seven eyes (35.0%), respectively. Foveal and mean RNFL thicknesses were within the normal limits in all eyes. Eyes with zone 2 retinochoroiditis had lower foveal sensitivity than eyes with zone 3 lesions (p=0.041). Eyes with a longer duration of remission had a higher MD (r=0.575; p=0.013) and a lower PSD (r=-0.593; p=0.010).Conclusions:Despite normal central and peripapillary retinal architecture, eyes with inactive zone 2 and 3 toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis can present with abnormal color, contrast, and macular perimetric sensitivity. Zone 2 retinochoroiditis was associated with lower foveal sensitivity, and a longer duration of retinochoroiditis remission was associated with better perimetric parameters (MD and PSD).

RESUMOObjetivo:Avaliar a função visual e arquitetura da retina central e peripapilar em pacientes com retinocoroidite toxoplásmica inativa fora da região macular e peripapilar (zonas 2 e 3).Métodos:Estudo transversal de 20 olhos (18 pacientes) com cicatrizes toxoplásmicas nas zonas 2 e 3 com acuidade visual ≥20/25. Os pacientes foram submetidos à perimetria Humphrey 10-2, teste de sensibilidade ao contraste (Teste Mars) e teste de visão de cores (L'Anthony D-15 dessaturado). As espessuras da camada de fibras nervosas da retina (CFNR) e da mácula foram determinadas pela tomografia de coerência óptica.Resultados:A média de idade dos pacientes foi 27,4 ± 10,3 anos, e a duração média da remissão da retinocoroidite foi de 6,15 ± 5,19 meses. Alterações na sensibilidade ao contraste e cores foram observada em, respectivamente, 3 olhos (15,0%) e 4 olhos (20,0%). Os índices perimétricos mean deviation (MD) e pattern standard deviation (PSD) estiveram fora do intervalo de confiança de 95% do perímetro em 14 olhos (70,0%) e 7 olhos (35,0%), respectivamente. A espessura foveal e da CFNR média estiveram dentro do limite da normalidade em todos os olhos. Olhos com retinocoroidite na zona 2 tiveram menor sensibilidade foveal que olhos com lesões na zona 3 (p=0,041). Olhos com remissão de longa duração tiveram um MD mais alto (r=0,575; p=0,013) e um PSD mais baixo (r=-0,593; p=0,010).Conclusão:Apesar da arquitetura normal da retina central e peripapilar, olhos com retinocoroidite inativa nas zonas 2 e 3 podem apresentar anormalidades da visão de cores, sensibilidade ao contras e perimetria macular. A retinocoroidite na zona 2 está associada a uma menor sensibilidade foveal. Longos intervalos de remissão da retinocoroidite estiveram associados a melhores parâmetros perimétricos (MD e PSD).

[AIDS-related primary CNS non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in a patient with previous Epstein-Barr virus panuveitis. A clinico-pathological report]. / Linfoma no-Hodgkin primario del sistema nervioso central asociado a sida en un paciente con panuveítis por virus Epstein-Barr. Reporte clínico-patológico.

CLINICAL CASE: Patient with AIDS and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) uveitis. The PCR of the aqueous and vitreous humor was positive for EBV, and DNA quantification was 56.602×10(6) copies/ml in the vitreous humor, 173,400 copies/ml in the peripheral blood, and negative in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The patient developed a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), diagnosed in the autopsy. CONCLUSION: The EBV is a rare cause of uveitis and it may be necessary to perform a quantitative PCR to reach the diagnosis. High amounts of EBV DNA are associated with a greater incidence of NHL.

Detection of choroid- and retina-antigen reactive CD8(+) and CD4(+) T lymphocytes in the vitreous fluid of patients with birdshot chorioretinopathy.

Birdshot chorioretinopathy (BSCR), a progressive form of non-infectious uveitis, is the strongest HLA-associated disease described to date, with >95% of the patients displaying HLA-A29. Since indirect evidence indicates the involvement of T cells in the etiopathology of the disease, we now isolated, cultured and analyzed the vitreous fluid-infiltrating T cells from two BSCR patients with respect to their phenotype, cytokine profile, clonal distribution and antigen specificity. Phenotypic analyses revealed the predominant presence of both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells in vitreous fluid. Further analyses on short term expanded and cloned T cells suggested that eye-infiltrating T cells generally displayed a Th1 like cytokine profile with secretion of high levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α. In one patient an oligoclonal CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell infiltration, with a moderate to strongly skewed TCR Vß usage was suggestive for an antigen driven infiltration/expansion. Indeed, a number of intraocular CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells responded to crude retinal and choroidal lysates. These results, which demonstrate for the first time the existence of eye-antigen-specific T cells in the vitreous fluid of BSCR patients, substantiate the current view on the role of eye-antigen specific T cells in the etiopathology of BSCR.

Imágenes de la coroides por tomografía de coherencia óptica en sujetos sanos y con enfermedades coriorretinales / Images of choroid by optical coherence tomography in healthy subjects and chorioretinal diseases

Objetivos: Describir las imágenes de la coroides por tomografía de coherencia óptica (TCO) de dominio espectral en sujetos sanos y con enfermedades coriorretinales. Materiales y métodos: Estudio de serie de casos. Se evaluaron 67 casos que incluyeron sujetos sanos oculares y pacientes con enfermedades coriorretinales. Las tomografías realizadas incluyeron un barrido de la retina y coroides a nivel de la mácula de manera convencional y otro usando el protocolo de profundidad de imagen mejorada (PIM). El espesor coroideo se midió desde el borde exterior del epitelio pigmentario de la retina hasta el reborde escleral interno. Resultados: De los 67 casos, 12 (17.4%) fueron sujetos sanos oculares, 10 (14,5%) con coriorretinopatía serosa central (CSC), 23 (33,4%) degeneración macular relacionada con la edad (DMRE), 9 (13,0%) miopía magna. 13 (18.8%) vasculopatía polipoidal coroidea. Existen diferencias en la calidad de las imágenes con TCO convencional y las realizadas con PIM, permitiendo describir solo coriocapilaris en algunos casos mientras que con el protocolo PIM se puede apreciar el grosor total coroideo. La coroides es de mayor espesor en la vasculopatía polipoidal coroidea (353,92 ± 68,66 µm) y en la CSC (408,81 ± 95,56 µm) que en los sujetos sanos (251,97 ± 66.37 µm) (p<0,05) y está disminuida en DMRE forma seca (124.69 ± 34.02 µm) (p<0,05), al igual que en la miopía magna (118.47 ± 34.02 µm) (p<0,05). Conclusiones: Las imágenes de TCO de la coroides por PIM es una técnica reproducible que permite describir y medir su espesor, estando disminuida en la DMRE, y miopía magna; e incrementada en vasculopatía polipoidal y la CSC.

Objectives: Describe the images of the choroid by optical coherence tomography (OCT) spectral domain in healthy subjects and chorioretinal diseases. Materials and methods: Case series study. We evaluated 67 cases involving healthy ocular subjects and patients with chorioretinal diseases. The scans included a sweep of the retina and choroid at level of the macula conventionally, and other using enhanced depth imaging (EDI). The choroid thickness was measured from the outer edge of the retinal pigment epithelium to the internal scleral rim. Results: Of the 67 cases, 12 (17.4%) were healthy ocular subjects, 10 (14.5%) with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC), 23 (33.4%) agerelated macular degeneration (AMD), 9 (13.0%) with myopia, 13 (18.8%) with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy. There are differences in the quality of images with conventional OCT and those with EDI, allowing only to describe the choriocapillaris in some cases while the EDI protocol can appreciate the total thickness of the choroid. The choroid is thicker in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (353.92 ± 68.66 microns) and CSC (408.81 ± 95.56 microns) than in healthy subjects (251.97 ± 66.37 mm) (p<0.05) and is decreased in the dry AMD (124.69 ± 34.02 microns) (p<0.05), as well as in the myopia (118.47 ± 34.02 microns) (p<0.05). Conclusions: OCT images of the choroid by PIM is a reproducible technique for describing and measuring its thickness, being decreased in AMD and myopia, and was increased in the polypoidal vasculopathy and CSC.

Granulomatous keratic precipitates in birdshot retinochoroiditis.

With the purpose of facilitating clinical studies of this infrequent disease, an expert panel published research criteria for birdshot retinochoroiditis (RCBRC). The aim of our study was to investigate the sensitivity of the exclusion criteria of the RCBRC as applied to all patients seen in our center with a diagnosis of BRC. This was a single center retrospective study involving all patients with an ocular inflammatory disease seen at the Centre for Ophthalmic Specialized Care, Lausanne, Switzerland, between 1995 and 2012. The percentage of patients with a diagnosis of BRC was identified. The exclusion criteria of the RCBRC were applied to all patients and the percentage of patients with absence of keratic precipitates (KPs) and absence of posterior synechiae were calculated. Out of 1,504 new patients, 25 patients (1.66 %; 19 female, 6 male) were diagnosed with BRC and 19 patients had sufficient data to be included in the study (1.26 %, 13 female). All patients were positive for HLA-A29 testing. The sensitivity of the RCBRC with respect to the exclusion criteria applied to our patient cohort was 84.2 % due to the exclusion of three patients showing KPs. Our study supports the motion to re-evaluate the RCBRC, since granulomatous KPs can be present and are more frequent than previously estimated and stringent application of the criteria would lead to a substantial loss of study patients.

OCT findings in birdshot chorioretinitis: a glimpse into retinal disease evolution.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Birdshot chorioretinitis is a rare disease independently involving the retina and the choroid. Retinal involvement has deleterious functional consequences. This study aimed to follow retinal profiles in early (< 1 year, untreated), intermediate (1 to 6 years, receiving therapy), and late (> 6 years) birdshot chorioretinitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Optical coherence tomography images were retrospectively evaluated in 28 eyes and retinal thickness was calculated in the foveola, parafoveal nasal, and temporal area; nasal and temporal mid-peripheral macula; and nasal and temporal periphery of the macula. RESULTS: Retinal thickness was significantly elevated in early birdshot chorioretinitis because of diffuse exudative retinal vasculopathy. In late disease, retinal thickness was significantly thinned at all measured locations compared with early disease. Epiretinal membrane development was observed in 92% of eyes with late birdshot chorioretinitis. CONCLUSION: The retina is thickened and exudative in early birdshot chorioretinitis, thickness diminishes during intermediate birdshot chorioretinitis, and retinal thinning/atrophy with a high rate of epiretinal membrane is observed in late birdshot chorioretinitis.

Indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) is essential for the early diagnosis of birdshot chorioretinopathy.

BACKGROUND: Birdshot chorioretinitis (BC) is a rare disease involving the retina and the choroid independently. The hallmark for BC is the presence of depigmented oval lesion of the choroid, the so called "birdshot lesions", however in the early phase of disease these lesions are often not visible. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of BC patients that were investigated in Centre for Ophthalmic Specialised Care, Lausanne, Switzerland between 1995 and 2010 was performed. Patients seen in the initial phase of BC disease devoid of a specific diagnosis when referred were included. Clinical investigations along with fluorescein angiography (FA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and visual field testing (VF) were analysed. RESULTS: Three out of 7 patients (43 %) seen in the initial phase of the disease devoid of a diagnosis at presentation were analysed. These patients presented with no "birdshot" lesions whatsoever. All three patients were HLA-A29 positive, presented with vitreitis and retinal vasculitis on FA. On ICGA, all 3 patients presented bilateral evenly distributed choroidal hypofluorescent dark dots (HDD) representing choroidal granulomas. CONCLUSIONS: ICGA, by providing occult information on the choroid, is an essential tool for early diagnosis of BC. Because ICGA is still not universally practiced in uveitis centres early disease is often missed, its diagnosis delayed and proper treatment started late.

Value of herpes simplex virus type-specific serology: a case report.

Genital herpes, usually caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in humans. By contrast, intrauterine HSV-2 infections have been described rarely in the literature. Our report describes a case of neonate who was delivered after 30+2 gestational weeks by cesarean section. He presented with a respiratory distress syndrome resulting in broncho-pulmonary dysplasia. At the age of 6 weeks, a chorioretinal scar was detected. During the 4th month of age, the infant developed recurrent HSV-2 infection with nasal lesions. The retrospective type-specific serologic diagnosis revealed previous HSV-2 infection of the mother resulting in prenatal HSV-2 infection of the infant. In conclusion, intrauterine HSV-2 infections may be underrepresented since they may not be associated with severe congenital malformations and the diagnosis requires the use of HSV type-specific serologic methods not widely applied in microbiological laboratories.

Histological findings of birdshot chorioretinopathy in an eye with ciliochoroidal melanoma.

PURPOSE: To describe the histological findings of birdshot chorioretinopathy. DESIGN/PARTICIPANT: This is a case study of a single patient who has both birdshot chorioretinopathy and ciliochoroidal melanoma. METHODS: A 55-year-old woman who was HLA-A29 positive and had birdshot chorioretinopathy had a large ciliochoroidal melanoma (T4b N0 M0) and underwent enucleation. OUTCOME MEASURES: Using histopathology, we hope to further define the pathological findings in an eye with both birdshot chorioretinopathy and coexistant ciliochoroidal melanomas. RESULTS: The eye showed a ciliochoroidal melanoma. In addition, elsewhere, there were multiple choroidal nodules of lymphocytes that showed the presence of CD3-positive cells, which also stained for CD4 or CD8. There were only a few CD20-positive B cells and rare CD68-positive histiocytes. No granulomas were present. DISCUSSION: To our knowledge, there are only two previous reports describing the histological findings in birdshot chorioretinopathy: one that was HLA-A29 negative showing choroidal granulomas and another that was HLA-A29 positive exhibiting histological findings similar to our case. Incidentally, the latter case had a history of cutaneous melanoma. CONCLUSION: Birdshot chorioretinopathy is a nongranulomatous nodular infiltration of the choroid.

[Toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis: relapse vs choroidal neovascular membrane]. / Retinocoroiditis toxoplásmica: ¿recidiva o membrana neovascular coroidea?

CLINICAL CASE: We report four patients with both decreased visual acuity and retinochoroidal lesions compatible with ocular toxoplasmosis in which a diagnosis of active toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis or choroidal neovascular membrane was made based on a specifically designed diagnostic screening. DISCUSSION: In the context of a compatible clinical picture, with retinochoroidal scars and low grade or absence of inflammation, choroidal neovascular membranes may mimic active toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis and vice-versa. A thorough ophthalmic, serological, and immunological examination (in ocular fluids) may help in the differential diagnosis allowing for proper therapeutic decision-making.

Optical coherence tomography and indocyanine green angiography findings in acute syphilitic posterior placoid choroidopathy: case report / Achados da tomografia de coerência óptica e angiografia com indocianina verde na coroidopatia placóide posterior aguda sifilítica: relato de caso

The optical coherence tomography (OCT) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) findings of a 58-year-old male with acute syphilitic posterior placoid chorioretinitis are reported herein. Best-corrected visual acuity was 20/150 in the right eye (OD) and 20/30 in the left eye (OS) at presentation. On funduscopy, there was a central subretinal placoid yellowish lesion in OD. VDRL and serum FTA-ABS were positive. OCT showed increased reflectance and thickening of the subfoveal RPE-choriocapillaris complex corresponding to the lesion in OD. ICGA revealed a hypofluorescent spot corresponding to the lesion in OD and confluent small dots extending to periphery, without any correspondence in fundus examination. The same dots were also seen in OS, even though no lesions could be observed clinically. Intravenous ceftriaxone 2 g daily was given for 10 days. One month after the first visit, visual acuity improved to 20/30 and marked improvement of the lesion was seen. OCT was normal in both eyes at the final visit.

Relatamos aqui os achados da tomografia de coerência óptica (OCT) e angiografia com indocianina verde (ICGA) de um paciente masculino de 58 anos com a coroidopatia placóide posterior aguda sifilítica. A acuidade visual corrigida na apresentação foi de 20/150 no olho direito (OD) e 20/30 no olho esquerdo (OE). A fundoscopia evidenciou lesão sub-retiniana placóide amarelada central no OD. As sorologias VDRL e FTA-ABS foram positivas. OCT evidenciou aumento de refletividade subfoveal e espessamento do complexo EPR-coriocapilar correspondente à lesão do OD. ICGA revelou hipofluorescência local correspondente à lesão do OD e pequenos pontos confluentes que se estendiam para a periferia, sem qualquer correspondência na fundoscopia. O mesmo também foi visto no OE, embora nenhuma lesão pode ser observada clinicamente. Ceftriaxona 2 g intravenosa diária foi administrada durante 10 dias. Um mês após a primeira visita, a acuidade visual do OD foi 20/30 e melhora acentuada da lesão foi observada. Na última visita, o OCT foi normal em ambos os olhos.

Influence of antisense oligonucleotides targeting tumor necrosis factor-alpha on experimental herpetic-induced chorioretinitis of mouse eye.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect on the pathological process of topical treatment with antisense oligonucleotides (ASON) targeting tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in experimental herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1)-induced chorioretinitis of mouse eye. METHODS: 50 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into two different groups (25 mice in each group). The Von Szily model was induced in mice by inoculating 1x10(5) plaque-forming units of HSV-1 (KOS strain) into the anterior chamber of the right eye. In one group, FITC-labeled ASON targeting TNF-alpha was injected subconjunctively into the left eye on days -1, 1, and 4, whereas phosphate buffer was used in the same way on the same days in another group. The clinical appearances were observed after infection each day and the eyes were examined histologically. The TNF-alpha content of retina and choroid were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: After infection, acute inflammation appeared in the right eye of both groups. As for the non-inoculated eye, the inflammation in the ASON group was significantly decreased compared to the PBS group. The number of inflammatory cells in the ASON group was significantly lower than in the PBS group, especially in the choroid, retina and ciliary body. The TNF-alpha content in the choroid and retina of the ASON group was diminished. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that TNF-alpha ASON reduced the content of TNF-alpha in mouse eyes, and this topical treatment decreased the inflammatory reaction. It may be an effective method for treating HSV-1-induced chorioretinitis in the clinic.

Imaging serpiginous choroidopathy with spectral domain optical coherence tomography.

The use of spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in the study of chronic serpiginous choroiditis was evaluated. Two patients with chronic serpiginous choroiditis were imaged using two prototype SD-OCT systems (6-microm axial resolution). Raster scans covering 6 x 6 X 2-mm regions of the retina were obtained, enabling the study of different retinal cross-sectional images. Thickness maps were obtained after segmentation of retinal layers, which could be compared with those on follow-up. SD-OCT allowed the visualization of the cross-sectional retinal architecture at different horizontal positions. Superimposition of SD-OCT generated reconstructed fundus images with fundus photographs provided accurate images registration. Segmentation of retinal layers provided thickness maps and higher-density improved visualization of photoreceptor layer, cysts, and atrophy, which was useful in following change in disease activity over time. The researchers concluded that SD-OCT is a useful tool to study disease morphology and follow-up of chronic serpiginous choroiditis.