ASSESSMENT OF SIMULATED SURGICAL DEXTERITY AFTER MODIFIABLE EXTERNAL EXPOSURES AMONG NOVICE VERSUS EXPERIENCED VITREORETINAL SURGEONS.

PURPOSE: To evaluate novice and senior vitreoretinal surgeons after various exposures. Multiple comparisons ranked the importance of these exposures for surgical dexterity based on experience. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 15 novice and 11 senior vitreoretinal surgeons (<2 and >10 years' practice, respectively). Eyesi-simulator tasks were performed after each exposure. Day 1, placebo, 2.5 mg/kg caffeine, and 5.0 mg/kg caffeine; day 2, placebo, 0.2 mg/kg propranolol, and 0.6 mg/kg propranolol; day 3, baseline simulation, breathalyzer readings of 0.06% to 0.10% and 0.11% to 0.15% blood alcohol concentrations; day 4, baseline simulation, push-up sets with 50% and 85% repetitions maximum; and day 5, 3-hour sleep deprivation. Eyesi-generated score (0-700, worst-best), out-of-tolerance tremor (0-100, best-worst), task completion time (minutes), and intraocular pathway (in millimeters) were measured. RESULTS: Novice surgeons performed worse after caffeine (-29.53, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -57.80 to -1.27, P = 0.041) and alcohol (-51.33, 95% CI: -80.49 to -22.16, P = 0.001) consumption. Alcohol caused longer intraocular instrument movement pathways (212.84 mm, 95% CI: 34.03-391.65 mm, P = 0.02) and greater tremor (7.72, 95% CI: 0.74-14.70, P = 0.003) among novices. Sleep deprivation negatively affected novice performance time (2.57 minutes, 95% CI: 1.09-4.05 minutes, P = 0.001) and tremor (8.62, 95% CI: 0.80-16.45, P = 0.03); however, their speed increased after propranolol (-1.43 minutes, 95% CI: -2.71 to -0.15 minutes, P = 0.029). Senior surgeons' scores deteriorated only following alcohol consumption (-47.36, 95% CI: -80.37 to -14.36, P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Alcohol compromised all participants despite their expertise level. Experience negated the effects of caffeine, propranolol, exercise, and sleep deprivation on surgical skills.

Ocular Leptospirosis: Report of a Challenging Diagnosis.

PURPOSE: To report a challenging case of serologically confirmed posterior uveitis due to leptospirosis. METHODS: Review of medical records. RESULTS: Thirteen-year-old boy presented focal necrotizing retinochoroiditis after flood exposure. Laboratory work-up confirmed leptospirosis infection and proper antibiotic treatment was done. The patient evolved well. but during late follow-up he developed nummular keratitis. CONCLUSION: Leptospirosis is a possible etiology of necrotizing posterior uveitis. The use of antimicrobial therapy is controversial but was used in this case, in association with corticosteroids, leading to resolution of retinal inflammation. Despite treatment, the patient developed late corneal opacities, which did not lead to visual impairment.

Not Always Toxoplasmosis: Active Retinochoroiditis Presumably Secondary to Herpes in Eyes with Hyperpigmented Retinochoroidal Previous Scars.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate that the presence of active retinochoroiditis in eyes with previous hyperpigmented old retinochoroidal lesions is not exclusive of ocular toxoplasmosis. METHODS: A case series was constructed by reviewing medical records. RESULTS: Four Brazilian patients presenting active posterior uveitis in eyes with previous hyperpigmented old retinochoroidal lesions were identified. Ocular toxoplasmosis was ruled out in all cases. One case had viral etiology confirmed through vitreous PCR (HSV-2 was positive), and the other 3 cases had a presumed diagnosis of herpetic posterior uveitis. CONCLUSION: Focus active retinitis adjacent to an old cicatricial lesion should not be considered pathognomonic of toxoplasmosis and viral etiology must be considered.

Long-Term Low-Dose Pyrimethamine Use for the Prevention of Ocular Toxoplasmosis Recurrences: A Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: To describe the effect of long-term, low-dose pyrimethamine for the prevention of ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) recurrences. METHODS: Sixty-three consecutive patients with inactive ocular toxoplasmosis and positive toxoplasma IgG serology were included. Pyrimethamine (25 mg) + folinic acid (15 mg) were administered every other day (three times weekly) for 12 months. Eighteen patients received the treatment for an additional six months as part of an extension study. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients (60.3%, n = 63) were female; 38 (60.3%) had a previous history of recurrence and 37 (58.7%) had active OT within the preceding 12 months. Three (4.8%) patients had unilateral recurrences at 8, 12 and 18 months after starting intermittent pyrimethamine treatment. Five patients (7.9%) were discontinued due to hematological, renal and hepatic changes. Treatment was considered successful in 42 patients (84%). CONCLUSION: Long-term, low-dose pyrimethamine can be considered as a treatment option for the prevention of ocular toxoplasmosis recurrence in selected patients, with only a few, mild and reversible systemic adverse events.

Protein profile of purified plasma- and aqueous humor-derived extracellular vesicles from patients with ocular toxoplasmosis.

PURPOSE: To characterize the extracellular vesicle protein cargo in the aqueous humor and plasma of patients with ocular toxoplasmosis. METHODS: Aqueous humor and plasma were collected from six patients with active ocular toxoplasmosis and six patients with cataract. Extracellular vesicles were isolated, and western blotting and mass spectrometry were performed for protein analysis. RESULTS: All plasma samples from patients with ocular toxoplasmosis and cataract were positive for the tetraspanins CD63 and TSG101. However, the aqueous humor from patients with ocular toxoplasmosis was positive only for CD63. Sixty-seven new unreported proteins were identified in the aqueous humor and plasma of patients with the ocular toxoplasmosis and cataract. Of the 67 proteins, 10 and 7 were found only in the cataract and ocular toxoplasmosis groups, respectively. In general, these proteins were involved in immune system activation and retina homeostasis and were related to infections and retina-associated diseases. CONCLUSION: The distinct protein signatures between ocular toxoplasmosis and cataract may be helpful in the differential diagnosis of ocular toxoplasmosis. However, more studies are needed to better understand the role of these proteins in the pathogenesis of ocular toxoplasmosis.

Toxoplasmosis outbreak in São Paulo, Brazil: Epidemiology and visual outcome.

PURPOSE: To describe a 2019 acute toxoplasmosis outbreak in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, and to evaluate the laboratory serological profile for toxoplasmosis for three consecutive years. The ophthalmological manifestations of the patients involved in the outbreak were also studied. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study of a toxoplasmosis outbreak in São Paulo, Brazil, between February and May 2019. Epidemiological data were described, as were the observed ocular manifestations. As part of this study the number of patients with positive IgM toxoplasmosis serology was obtained from a large laboratory network (DASA) for three consecutive years, including the year of the outbreak (2018, 2019, 2020). RESULTS: Eighty-three individuals were identified in the outbreak and two clusters were studied. The clinical picture of at least 77% of the patients, the epidemiological analysis, and the short incubation period (5-8 days) suggested contamination by oocysts. Serological laboratory data analysis revealed an increase of positive toxoplasmosis IgM in 2019 of 73% compared to the previous year. Ophthalmological examination revealed that at least 4.8% of the patients developed toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis, none of whom had been treated during the acute systemic disease. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate vegetable contamination as the possible source of this outbreak, a high prevalence of toxoplasmosis in São Paulo during the outbreak period, and a drop in the number of tests during the COVID-19 pandemic. Retinochoroiditis was observed in at least 4.8% of the cases. We confirm the need to implement effective means for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of the disease. This may involve raising awareness among the population of the importance of vegetable hygiene, and improved quality control of food and water.

Influence of gender on clinical presentation, management practices and outcomes of ocular syphilis.

Ocular syphilis is a re-emerging inflammatory eye disease with a clear gender imbalance, disproportionately affecting men. We investigated the impact of gender on the presentation, management practices and clinical outcomes of this condition. Data generated from a study of patients consecutively diagnosed with ocular syphilis who attended a subspecialist uveitis service at one of four hospitals in Brazil over a 30-month period were disaggregated for analysis by gender. Two-hundred and fourteen eyes (161 men and 53 women) of 127 patients (96 men and 31 women) were included. Posterior uveitis was the most common presentation in both men and women (80.1% vs. 66.7%, p > 0.05), but men were significantly more likely to have vitritis as a feature of their disease (49.4% versus 28.8%, p = 0.019). Three eyes of women had nodular anterior scleritis (p = 0.015). Men were more likely to undergo a lumbar puncture to assess for neurosyphilis (71.9% vs. 51.6%, p = 0.048), but men and women undergoing a lumbar puncture were equally likely to have a cerebrospinal fluid abnormality (36.2% vs. 25.0%, p = 0.393). All patients were treated with aqueous penicillin G or ceftriaxone, and there was a trend towards more men receiving adjunctive systemic corticosteroid treatment as part of their management (65.2% vs. 46.7%, p = 0.071). There were no significant differences in the age of presentation, bilaterality of disease, anatomical classification of uveitis, initial or final visual acuity, and rates of ocular complications between men and women. Our findings indicate that ocular syphilis has comparable outcomes in men and women, but that there are differences in the type of ocular inflammation and management practices between the genders.

The Amazon Ocular Oncology Center: The first three years / Centro de Oncologia Ocular do Amazonas: primeiros três anos

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the first three years of The Amazon Ocular Oncology Center, the first ocular cancer center in the North of Brazil. Methods: Here, we report patient information including patients' age, gender, diagnosis, treatment, and city of origin. Results: Two hundred and twenty-one patients were included on this study: 160 (72%) patients came from the city of Manaus, 52 (24%) from other cities in Amazonas, and 9 (4%) from other states. Of the 221 patients, 150 (68%) were afflicted with benign lesions and the remaining 71 (32%) had malignant lesions. Benign diagnosis included pterygium, chalazium, conjunctival nevus, and papilloma, cataract, and retinal detachment. Of the malignant cases, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the conjunctiva was the most frequent with 43 cases (60%). Other diagnoses included choroidal melanoma (8 cases, 11%), retinoblastoma (7 cases, 9%), lymphomas (5 cases, 7%), basal cell carcinomas of the eyelid (4 cases, 5%), conjunctival melanoma (2 cases, 2%), and Kaposi sarcomas (1 case, 1%). Of the 43 patients with SCC, the mean age was 62 years old, and 30 (69%) were male; 29 patients (67%) were treated with an excisional biopsy, and 14 (33%) were treated with neoadjuvant topic chemotherapy, followed by surgery.

RESUMO Objetivo: Reportar sobre os primeiros três anos do Centro de Oncologia Ocular do Amazonas, primeiro centro de oncologia ocular na região Norte do Brasil. Métodos: Relatamos informações de diagnóstico, idade, sexo, tratamento e cidade de origem dos pacientes atendidos nos 3 primeiros anos. Resultados: Identificamos 221 pacientes, dos quais 160 (72%) eram da cidade de Manaus, 52 (24%) de outras cidades do Amazonas e 9 (4%) de outros estados. Dos 221 casos, 150 (68%) eram lesões benignas e 71 (32%) malignas. Lesões benignas incluíram pterígio, calázio, nevus e papiloma de conjuntiva, catarata e descolamento de retina. Das lesões malignas a mais comum foi o carcinoma escamoso de conjuntiva com 43 casos (60%). Outros diagnósticos incluíram melanoma de coróide (8 casos, 11%), retinoblastoma (7 casos, 9%), linfomas (5 casos, 7%), carcinoma da pálpebra (4 casos, 5%), melanoma da conjunctiva (2 casos, 2%) e sarcoma de Kaposi (1 caso, 1%). Dentre os CEC de conjuntiva, a idade media foi de 62 anos e 30 pacientes (69%) eram do sexo masculino. Vinte e nove casos (67%) foram tratados com biópsia excisional e 14 (33%) com quimioterapia tópica neoadjuvante seguida de cirurgia.

Metastatic choroidal melanoma to the contralateral eye: a rare case / Melanoma de coróide metátastico para o olho contralateral: caso raro

ABSTRACT Uveal melanoma is the most common adult primary intraocular cancer. Although liver metastasis is common to the natural history of the disease, metastasis to the fellow eye is extremely rare. Here we report the case of a 59-year-old man with choroidal melanoma in his right eye who underwent enucleation at a different center. The patient was referred to our service 21 months postoperatively, complaining of decreased vision. He was found to have a new pigmented choroidal tumor in his left eye associated with liver disease. Ocular ultrasonography and liver biopsy with histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis were performed and confirmed the diagnosis. Few similar cases have been described in the literature. The differential diagnosis included primary bilateral choroidal melanoma and metastatic choroidal tumor from a primary skin melanoma.

RESUMO O melanoma uveal é o câncer intraocular primário mais frequente em adultos. Embora a metástase hepática seja comum à história natural da doença, a metástase para o outro olho é extremamente rara. Aqui relatamos o caso de um homem de 59 anos com melanoma de coroide em seu olho direito que foi submetido à enucleação em um centro diferente. O paciente foi encaminhado ao nosso serviço 21 meses após a cirurgia, com queixa de diminuição da visão. Foi encontrado um novo tumor de coróide pigmentado em seu olho esquerdo associado com doença hepática. Ultrassonografia ocular e biópsia hepática com exame histopatológico e imuno-histoquímico foram realizadas e confirmaram o diagnóstico. Poucos casos semelhantes foram descritos na literatura. O diagnóstico diferencial incluiu melanoma de coróide bilateral orimário e tumor coroidal metastático de um melanoma primário da pele.

Largest case series of Latin American eyelid tumors over 13-Years from a single center in Sao Paulo, Brazil / A maior série de casos de tumores de pálpebra na América Latina ao longo de 13 anos de um único centro em São Paulo, Brasil

ABSTRACT Purpose: Malignant lesions of the eyelid are the most common eye cancers. Although rarely lethal, late diagnosis can lead to serious visual morbidity. Definitive diagnosis of neoplastic lesions is pathological. Indications and types of eyelid lesions in a single high-volume ophthalmic reference center in Sao Paulo, Brazil, were analyzed. Methods: The surgical pathological reports of patients who underwent eye removal procedures between January 2000 and December 2012 were retrieved from the electronic database of the Ophthalmology Department and retrospectively reviewed. Data regarding the final anatomopathological diagnosis, sex, and age were analyzed via the χ2 test with Yates' correction. Results: Of the 1,113 eyelid tumors resected over the 13-year study period, 324 (29%) lesions were malignant. The most prevalent lesions were basal cell, squamous cell, and sebaceous gland carcinomas. The median ages of patients (females, n=165, 51%; males, n=159, 49%) with a diagnosis of basal cell, squamous cell, and sebaceous gland carcinomas were 65, 75, and 70 years, respectively. Conclusion: This is the largest retrospective cohort analysis of eyelid tumors in a Latin American population. These findings are in agreement with those from large centers in other countries and regions.

RESUMO Objetivo: As lesões malignas de pálpebras são os cânceres oftalmológicos mais frequentes. Embora raramente letal, o diagnóstico tardio pode levar a diversas complicações severas e a uma alta taxa de morbidade visual. O diagnóstico definitivo de lesões neoplásicas é patológico. No presente estudo, revisamos casos de um único centro de referência oftalmológica de maior volume em São Paulo, Brasil. Métodos: Avaliação retrospectiva de todos os tumores palpebrais operados entre os anos de 2000 e 2012 no Departamento de Oftalmologia. Dados incluindo diagnóstico anatomopatológico final, sexo e idade - foram analisados através do método χ2 YATES. Resultados: Dentre os 1.113 tumores palpebrais ressecados no período de estudo de 13 anos, 324 (29%) dos pacientes com lesões únicas eram malignas. A lesão mais prevalente foi Carcinoma Basocelular (CBC), seguido por carcinoma espinocelular (CEC) e carcinoma de células sebáceas (CCS). A média da idade dos pacientes com diagnóstico de CBC, CCS e CEC foi 65, 75 e 70 respectivamente distribuídos entre 165 (51%) mulheres e 159 (49%) homens. Conclusão: Essa é a maior análise de coorte retrospectivo de tumores palpebrais da América Latina. Nossos achados estão de acordo com outros grandes centros de outros países e continentes.

Indications for eye removal over a 13-year period at an ophthalmology referral center in São Paulo, Brazil / Indicações para remoção ocular ao longo de um período de 13 anos no centro de referência oftalmológica em São Paulo, Brazil

ABSTRACT Purpose: To analyze the indications and types of eye removal at Latin America's highest-volume ophthalmic reference center in São Paulo, Brazil. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of surgical pathological reports in the electronic database of the Ophthalmology Department of the Universidade Federal de São Paulo Hospital of patients who underwent eye-removal procedures between January 2000 and December 2012. Results: A total of 412 cases met the inclusion criteria for this study. The most common indications for eye removal were ocular melanoma and retinoblastoma, representing 35.4% and 31.1% of the total cases, respectively. Other frequent indications included endophthalmitis (6.3%), nonspecific inflammation (4.1%), squamous cell carcinoma (3.6%), panophthalmitis (3.4%), and phthisis bulbi (1.2%). The remaining indications accounted for 14.8% of all cases, with each accounting for <1% of the total cases. Enucleation was the most common eye-removal procedure seen in our study. Conclusions: The two most common indications for eye removal were ocular melanoma and retinoblastoma. Alternative treatment options are effective in limiting the need for eye removal but are constrained by our public center's so cioeconomic context.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar os tipos e indicações para a remoção dos olhos no maior centro de referência oftalmológica da América Latina em São Paulo, Brasil. Métodos: Revisão retrospectiva de laudos cirúrgico patológico em uma base de dados eletrônica do Departamento de Oftalmologia do Hospital da Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Foram analisados pacientes submetidos ao procedimento de remoção oftálmica no período de janeiro de 2000 a dezembro de 2012. Resultados: Um total de 412 casos estiveram de acordo com os critérios de inclusão desse estudo. A indicação mais comum para remoção oftálmica foi Melanoma ocular e Retinoblastoma, representando, respectivamente, 35,4% e 31,1% do total de casos. Outras indicações frequentes incluíam Endoftalmite 6,3%, Inflamação inespecífica 4,1%, Carcinoma escamocelular 3,6%, Panoftalmite 3,4% e Phthisis Bulbi 1,2%. O restante das indicações totalizaram 14,8% de todos os casos, sendo que cada um correspondem com menos de 1% do total. Enucleação foi o procedimento de remoção oftálmica mais comum observado em nosso estudo. Conclusão: As duas indicações mais frequentes para remoção oftálmica no centro oftalmológico de referência do Brasil foi melanoma e retinoblastoma. Opções terapêuticas alternativas são efetivas para limitar a necessidade da remoção ocular, porém são restritos devido ao contexto socioeconômico de nossa população.

Comparisons of choroidal nevus measurements obtained using 10- and 20-MHz ultrasound and spectral domain optical coherence tomography / Comparação entre a medida de nevus de coroide obtida com 10-MHz e 20-MHz e tomografia de coerência óptica de domínio espectral

ABSTRACT Purpose: To compare measurements of lesions clinically diagnosed as choroidal nevi using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and 10- and 20-MHz ultrasound (US). Methods: This prospective study, which was conducted between May 2011 and December 2011, evaluated eyes diagnosed with choroidal nevus via photographic documentation using 10- or 20-MHz A- and B-mode US (experienced examiner using both the transpalpebral technique and direct contact) or SD-OCT in the enhanced depth imaging mode (performed by a different examiner blinded to the US results). Anteroposterior (AP) and transverse (T) US sections corresponded to sections adjusted perpendicularly on SD-OCT. Results: We evaluated 14 eyes from 12 patients (six males, mean patient age= 64.5 years) diagnosed with choroidal nevus. The choroidal nevi of all samples had a melanocytic profile. Moreover, eight nevi were located at the equator, five nevi were located in the posterior pole (peripapillary in one sample), and one nevus shifted from the equator to the periphery. On SD-OCT, the maximum measurable dimension was 9 mm. The lesions in the posterior pole were easier to evaluate, and image acquisition of lesions located more peripherally was possible depending on patient cooperation. The accurate assessment of height was difficult. Baseline dimensions on 10- and 20-MHz US were larger than those determined via OCT. No significant differences in height were observed between US and SD-OCT. All parameters were statistically similar between 10- and 20-MHz US measurements. Conclusions: No significant difference in the AP and T diameters was observed between 10- and 20-MHz US measurements; however, these measurements (AP and T) were significantly higher than those obtained using OCT. No significant differences in height were observed among the techniques adopted.

RESUMO Objetivo: Comparar as medidas obtidas de lesões diagnosticadas clinicamente como nevus de coroide através da tomografia de coerência óptica de domínio espectral (Spectralis, Heidelberg Engineering, Inc.), ultrassonografia com 10 MHz e de 20 MHz. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo realizado entre maio e dezembro de 2011, avaliou olhos com diagnóstico de nevus de coroide, utilizando documentação fotográfica, ultrassonografia com transdutor 10-MHz e 20-MHz A- e B-mode e SD-OCT em modo de EDI, por um examinador diferente para cada técnica. Os cortes realizados perpendiculares entre si, correspondentes ao corte ântero-posterior e latero-lateral à ultrassonografia. Resultados: Foram avaliados 14 olhos de 12 pacientes (6 do sexo masculino), com média de idade média de 64,5 anos. Todos os nevus tinham um perfil melanocítico. Observou-se 8 nevus no equador, 5 no polo posterior (peripapilar em uma amostra), e 1 deslocado a partir do equador para a periferia. Em SD-OCT, a dimensão máxima mensurável foi de 9 mm. As lesões no polo posterior eram mais fáceis de avaliar e aquisição de imagens de lesões mais periféricas era possível, dependendo da colaboração do paciente. A avaliação precisa da altura era difícil. As dimensões usando transdutor 10-MHz e 20-MHz US foram maiores que as encontradas pelo SD-OCT. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas na altura entre métodos SD-OCT e US. Todas as medidas foram estatisticamente semelhantes entre 20-MHz e 10-MHz. Conclusão: Para o parâmetro AP e T não foi detectada diferença entre as medidas utilizando US de 10-MHz e de 20-MHz. Porém estas medidas se mostraram significativamente maiores em relação à medida obtida com OCT. Para a altura, não foram detectadas diferenças estatística em relação à técnica utilizada, US 10-MHz e 20-MHz e SD-OCT.

Iris metastases from systemic cancer: a report of three cases / Metástase de íris de câncer sistêmico: relato de três casos

ABSTRACT Ocular metastasis is relatively uncommon, with a reported incidence of approximately 8%, according to the results of autopsy evaluation. The majority of ocular metastases are located within the choroid, while metastatic tumors affecting the iris are rare. Metastatic tumors may manifest as stromal nodules or ill-defined iris thickening, or they may present with nonspecific features such as pain, iridocyclitis, and hyphema. Here, we describe three patients with iris metastasis and discuss the diagnostic challenges and unusual findings associated with these cases.

RESUMO A maioria das metástases oculares do câncer sistêmico são encontrados na coroide. As metástases para a íris são incomuns, podendo se manifestar como nódulo estromal, espessamento de íris de limites mal definidos ou como uma iridociclite ou hifema. Relatamos 3 pacientes com lesão de íris e história pregressa de câncer sistêmico. Enfatizamos a dificuldade no diagnóstico e raridade dessas lesões comparando com relatos anteriores.

Visual loss resulting from immunosuppressive therapy in patients with syphilitic uveitis / Perda visual resultante do uso de terapia imunossupressora em pacientes com uveíte por sífilis

ABSTRACT Permanent visual loss can be caused by improper use of immunosuppressive therapy in cases of uveitis without differential diagnosis of syphilitic uveitis. We present four cases of syphilitic uveitis that were incorrectly diagnosed as being secondary to rheumatic diseases and were subsequently treated with immunosuppressive therapy, leading to permanent visual loss. These cases highlight the importance of ruling out syphilis in the differential diagnosis of inflammatory ocular diseases before starting use of immunosuppressive therapy.

RESUMO Elucidar os efeitos adversos do uso de medicações imunossupressoras em pacientes com uveíte não diagnosticada por sífilis. Avaliação de quatro pacientes com uveíte por sífilis submetidos a tratamento com drogas imunossupressoras por suspeita de uveíte secundária a doenças reumáticas, que desenvolveram perda visual permanente. Sífilis deve ser sempre um diagnóstico diferencial nas doenças inflamatórias oculares, principalmente antes do início de terapia imunossupressora.

Ocular toxoplasmosis: an update and review of the literature

Ocular toxoplasmosis is the most common cause of posterior uveitis worldwide. The infection can be acquired congenitally or postnatally and ocular lesions may present during or years after the acute infection occur. Current treatment controls ocular infection and inflammation, but does not prevent recurrences. We present a review and update on ocular toxoplasmosis and address misconceptions still found in the current medical literature.

Conteúdo protéico do humor aquoso de portadores de glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto / Protein content of the aqueous humor of carriers of open angle primary glaucoma

Utilizando a técnica de Lowry de quantificaçäo de proteínas, a técnica de Laemli de eletroforese em gel de poliacrilamida e a técnica de Oakley et al. de coloraçäo pela prata, ananlisou-se quantitativa e qualitativamente o conteúdo protéico do humor aquoso de 32 pacientes que iriam ser submetidos a cirurgia oftálmica: 18 portadores de catarata senil e 14 portadores de glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto. Verificou-se que a média da concentraçäo protéica total do grupo e portadores de catarata senil era 20, 546 mg por cento e a do grupo de portadores de glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto 19,356 mg por cento, näo havendo diferença estatisticamente significante entre elas. Foram encontradas oito proteínas no grupo de portadores de catarata senil e nove no grupo de portadores de glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto, em número variável de pacientes. A única proteína encontrada em todas as amostras de humor aquoso, dos dois grupos, foi a de 67 quilodautons, a albumina. A proteína com peso molecular de 150 quilodaltons foi encontrada somente no grupo de portadores de glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto, em 57,1 por cento das amostras e a de 190 quilodaltons em 85,7 por cento dos portadores de glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto e em 16,6 por cento das amostras de portadores de catarata senil.

Achados oculares entre habitantes do Município de Pauiní e possível associaçäo entre lesöes corneanas e mansonelose na Amazônia / Ocular findings in Pauiní (Southwest of the Brazilian Amazon) and possible corneal lesions by Mansonella

Introduçäo: A mansonelose, causada por infestaçäo pela microfilária é encontrada no Brasil em áreas da floresta amazônica (Amazônia, Roraíma) e Mato Grosso. Sua patogenicidade é discutida e em oftalmologia é referida como possível causa do prurido ocular e conjuntivite. Alteraçöes corneanas associadas a Mansonella spp. näo existem na literatura. O sudoeste do estado do Amazônas está entre as regiöes do Brasil ainda sem registro oftalmológico, desconhecendo-se as suas necessidades e prioridades. Objetivo: Relatar os achados oftalmológicos dos habitantes do município de Pauiní (localizado a sudoeste do estado da Amazônia, a 915 Km de Manaus, a beira do rio Purus) e apresentar as lesöes corneanas encontradas, possivelmente relacionadas à Mansonella, bem como verificar a porcentagem de habitantes que necessitavam de óculos. Pacientes e Métodos: Em setembro de 1997, 524 moradores de Pauiní foram submetidos a exame oftalmológico. Os óculos necessários foram doados, enviados e entregues aos moradores. Quatro pacientes foram submetidos à biópsia cutânea para pesquisa de oncocercose e outros quatro à venoclise para pesquisa de mansonelose. Resultados: As ametropias foram as alteraçöes oftalmológicas mais freqüentes nesta populaçäo. Foi indicada a prescriçäo de óculos em 178 (33,59 por cento) pacientes. Cicatriz retiniana compatível com toxoplasmose no pólo posterior causando grande perda visual esteve presente em pelo menos 6 pacientes (1 por cento). Vinte e dois olhos de 20 pacientes (3,8 por cento) apresentavam opacidade periféricas de córnea. Todas as lesöes eram circulares, de 0,5 a 1,0 mm de diâmetro, com área translúcida de córnea entre a lesäo e o limbo, sem neovascularizaçäo e sem afetar a visäo, sendo bilaterais em dois pacientes. Tracoma, oncocercose, conjuntivite cicatricial, alteraçöes pupilares ou uveíte näo foram encontradas. Nenhuma biópsia de pele foi positiva para oncocercose. Dois dos quatro pacientes submetidos a venóclise apresentavam Mansonella ssp. no exame de sangue. Conclusäo: A falta de óculos é a causa mais importante de baixa acuidade visual na regiäo estudada, seguida pela catarata. As lesöes corneanas sem causa conhecida e a presença de Mansonella a sugerem com possível causa das opacidades corneanas encontradas.

Microbiota anaeróbia e facultativa da conjuntiva normal de recém-nascidos / Anaerobic and facultative microbial flora of newborns normal conjunctiva

Para o estudo da microbiota anaeróbia e facultativa da conjuntiva normal de recém-nascidos no período neonatal, 193 amostras da secreçäo do fundo de saco conjuntival foram obtidas. Durante o período neonatal os recém-nascidos foram divididos em 3 grupos: I- recém-nascidos imediatamente após o parto; II- do nascimento até 15 dias de vida; III- recém-nascidos entre 15 e 28 dias de vida. Cento sessenta e sete amostras apresentaram crescimento bacteriano positivo, sendo isolados 183 microrganismos num total de 12 espécies bacterianas. Entre as bactérias facultativas, Staphylococcus aureus foi o microrganismo isolado mais frequente e entre os anaeróbios Bacteroides sp. Em todos os grupos, Staphylococcus aureus foi o microrganismo mais frequente. Bactérias anaeróbias obrigatórias foram isoladas em maior frequência no terceiro grupo. Foi demonstrado maior número de culturas positivas e isolamento de S. aureus em recém-nascidos de parto normal e com ruptura das membranas. O presente estudo demonstra a existência de uma flora conjuntival normal e facultativa durante o período neonatal, revelando que a colonizaçäo começa imediatamente após o nascimento e o número de culturas positivas está relacionado com o tempo de exposiçäo individual