Deciphering the interplay of gut microbiota and metabolomics in retinal vein occlusion.

This study aims to explore the link between retinal vein occlusion (RVO), a blinding ocular condition, and alterations in gut microbiota composition, to offer insights into the pathogenesis of RVO. Fecal samples from 25 RVO patients and 11 non-RVO individuals were analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Significant differences in the abundance of gut microbial species were noted between RVO and non-RVO groups. At the phylum level, the RVO group showed an elevation in the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes. At the genus level, the RVO group showed higher abundance in Escherichia_Shigella (P < 0.05) and less abundance in Parabacteroides (P < 0.01) than the non-RVO group. Functional predictions indicated reduced folate synthesis, biotin metabolism, and oxidative phosphorylation, with an increase in butyric acid metabolism in the RVO group. LC-MS analysis showed significant differences in purine metabolism, ABC transporters, and naphthalene degradation pathways, especially purine metabolism. Pearson correlation analysis revealed significant associations between bacterial genera and fecal metabolites. Enrichment analysis highlighted connections between specific metabolites and bacterial genera. The findings showed that the dysregulation of gut microbiota was observed in RVO patients, suggesting the gut microbiota as a potential therapeutic target. Modulating the gut microbiota could be a novel strategy for managing RVO and improving patient outcomes. Furthermore, the study findings suggest the involvement of gut microbial dysbiosis in RVO development, underscoring the significance of understanding its pathogenesis for effective treatment development. IMPORTANCE: Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is a blinding ocular condition, and understanding its pathogenesis is crucial for developing effective treatments. This study demonstrates significant differences in gut microbiota composition between RVO patients and non-RVO individuals, implicating the involvement of gut microbial dysbiosis in RVO development. Functional predictions and metabolic profiling provide insights into the underlying mechanisms, highlighting potential pathways for therapeutic intervention. These findings suggest that modulating the gut microbiota might be a promising strategy for managing RVO and improving patient outcomes.

Syphilitic Scleritis.

A 47-year-old man developed a painful right red eye for 72 hours with a 20/25 decreased visual acuity. He had no medical history. Slit-lamp examination revealed a painful nodular scleritis at the equator of the globe in the infero-temporal quadrant. There was a moderate intraocular inflammation in the anterior segment. Fundus examination revealed a grade 1 hyalitis and a focal retinitis with vasculitis and arterio-veinous occlusion toward the scleritis zone. Syphilis and HIV serology were positive and the scleritis resolved 5 days after a penicillin G medication. Syphilitic scleritis are relatively uncommon.

Aspergillus terreus endophthalmitis in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

A 65-year-old woman with a 7-year history of chronic lymphocytic leukemia presented with acute visual loss, pain, and redness in her right eye. Results of stains and cultures of anterior chamber fluid were negative. Neurologic problems, bronchopulmonary pneumonia, recurrent skin lesions, and a low-grade fever developed. Progressive respiratory distress ensued, and the patient died 1 month after presentation. Cultures from antemortem sputum and skin samples were positive for Aspergillus terreus. Postmortem histologic results showed extensive A terreus invasion of the posterior vitreous, retina, choroid, and anterior optic nerve. This organism was also found in histologic sections from the right adrenal gland, left kidney, thyroid, urinary bladder, right lung, skin, esophagus, sputum, vessels of the myocardium, and brain. To our knowledge, A terreus endophthalmitis has not been reported previously.

Bartonella henselae infection associated with neuroretinitis, central retinal artery and vein occlusion, neovascular glaucoma, and severe vision loss.

PURPOSE: To report a case of Bartonella henselae infection. DESIGN: Observational case report. METHODS: Review of the clinical, laboratory, photographic, and angiographic records of a patient with cat scratch disease associated with central retinal artery and vein occlusion, neovascular glaucoma, and severe vision loss. RESULTS: A 21-year-old man had no light perception in the left eye secondary to concurrent central retinal artery and vein occlusion believed to have resulted from infection with Bartonella henselae. Forty days later, he developed neovascular glaucoma in the left eye. CONCLUSION: Ocular complications associated with Bartonella henselae infection may include central retinal artery and vein occlusion, neovascular glaucoma, and severe vision loss.

Branch retinal vein occlusion in the right eye and retinal hemorrhage in the left in a patient with classical Tsutsugamushi disease.

PURPOSE: To report branch retinal vein occlusion and retinal hemorrhages associated with tsutsugamushi disease. METHODS: Case report of a 60-year-old woman who complained of fever, chills, headache, lymphadenopathy, and blurred vision in the right eye following an insect bite to the lower right forehead. RESULTS: Serological findings showed elevated titers for the strains of Rickettsia tsutsugamushi. Ophthalmologic examination disclosed bilateral conjunctival injection, flame-shaped hemorrhage in her right fundus, and scattered hemorrhage in her left fundus. Fluorescein angiography demonstrated dye leakage and dilation of capillaries. CONCLUSIONS: Branch retinal vein occlusion associated with classical tsutsugamushi disease, as demonstrated in our patient, may be rare.

Bilateral Candida albicans endophthalmitis associated with an infected deep venous thrombus.

BACKGROUND: To describe the clinical and histopathologic findings in a patient with bilateral Candida albicans endophthalmitis due to an infected deep venous thrombus. CASE: A 43-year-old patient with bilateral Candida albicans endophthalmitis due to an infected central venous thrombus. The patient's ophthalmology and hospital charts were reviewed. Histopathologic sections of the Candida albicans retinal granuloma were examined under light microscopy. OBSERVATIONS: Our patient had multiple blood cultures positive for Candida albicans owing to an infected subclavicular venous thrombosis. Bilateral Candida albicans endophthalmitis was diagnosed. Bilateral vitrectomy and membrane peeling for macular traction retinal detachments were performed. In the right eye, a large retinal granuloma was excised during surgery to adequately relieve traction on the macula. Vision improved in both eyes after surgery. Histopathologic findings revealed branching hyphae surrounded by giant cells, endothelial cell-lined vascular channels, and inflammatory cells. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of an infected deep venous thrombosis causing bilateral endogenous endophthalmitis. Appropriate management of these patients requires clear differentiation between endogenous chorioretinitis and endophthalmitis. Patients with documented fungemia should have a dilated fundus examination on a regular basis until complete clearance of the infection.