Guía de recomendaciones para el manejo de brolucizumab / Guidance on brolucizumab management recommendations

Objetivo: Brolucizumab, un anti-VEGF de nueva generación, ha demostrado su eficacia y seguridad en la degeneración macular asociada a la edad neovascular exudativa (DMAEn) en los ensayos pivotales HAWK y HARRIER. Tras su comercialización, se han reportado eventos adversos relacionados con la inflamación intraocular no detectados previamente. Una revisión post hoc independiente de los ensayos pivotales cifra la tasa de inflamación intraocular (IIO) en el 4,6%. El objetivo de este trabajo es proponer una serie de recomendaciones para implementar el manejo de brolucizumab en la práctica clínica. Método: Las recomendaciones realizadas por los autores se han basado en su experiencia clínica y en la revisión crítica de: 1)los ensayos pivotales; 2)el análisis post hoc del Comité de Revisión de Seguridad, y 3)la literatura publicada. Resultados: En los ensayos pivotales, brolucizumab mostró ganancias funcionales sostenidas, resultados anatómicos superiores con intervalos entre inyecciones potencialmente más prolongados y un perfil de seguridad global bien tolerado. Los eventos adversos reportados tras la comercialización incluyen vasculitis retiniana y la oclusión vascular retiniana. De acuerdo con la información disponible, los expertos recomiendan: 1)descartar los perfiles de pacientes no recomendados (historial previo de IIO); 2)explorar al paciente antes de cada inyección para descartar la presencia de IIO activa; 3)monitorizar al paciente para detectar precozmente los signos de alerta, y 4)tratar de inmediato en el caso de que se desarrolle algún evento adverso. ConclusionesLos : eventos adversos reportados son poco frecuentes, pero pueden estar asociados con una pérdida severa e irreversible de agudeza visual. Las recomendaciones realizadas pretenden facilitar el manejo de brolucizumab en la práctica habitual de los retinólogos, garantizar la seguridad del paciente y, en caso de que se produzca alguno de los eventos adversos, minimizar su impacto sobre la visión. (AU)

Purpose: Brolucizumab, a new generation anti-VEGF, has demonstrated efficacy and safety in AMD in the pivotal HAWK and HARRIER trials. Post-marketing, previously undetected adverse events related to intraocular inflammation have been reported. An independent post hoc review of the pivotal trials puts the rate of intraocular inflammation (IOI) at 4.6%. The aim of this paper is to propose a set of recommendations for implementing the management of brolucizumab in clinical practice. Method: The recommendations made by the authors are based on their clinical experience and critical review of (i)the pivotal trials; (ii)the post-hoc analysis of the Safety Review Committee, and (iii)the published literature. Results: In the pivotal trials, brolucizumab showed sustained functional gains, superior anatomical outcomes with potentially longer intervals between injections and a well-tolerated overall safety profile. Adverse events reported post-marketing include retinal vasculitis and retinal vascular occlusion. Based on the available information, experts recommend (i)ruling out non-recommended patient profiles (prior history of ORI); (ii)screening the patient prior to each injection to rule out active IOI; (iii)monitoring the patient for early warning signs, and (iv)treating immediately should any adverse events develop. Conclusions: The adverse events reported are rare, but may be associated with severe and irreversible loss of visual acuity. The recommendations made are intended to facilitate the management of brolucizumab in the routine practice of retinologists, to ensure patient safety and, should any adverse events occur, to minimise their impact on vision. (AU)

Guidance on brolucizumab management recommendations.

PURPOSE: Brolucizumab, a new generation anti-VEGF, has demonstrated efficacy and safety in AMD in the pivotal HAWK and HARRIER trials. Post-marketing, previously undetected adverse events related to intraocular inflammation have been reported. An independent post hoc review of the pivotal trials puts the rate of IOI at 4.6%. The aim of this paper is to propose a set of recommendations for implementing the management of brolucizumab in clinical practice. METHODS: The recommendations made by the authors are based on their clinical experience, critical review of (i) the pivotal trials, the post-hoc analysis of the Safety Review Committee, (ii), and (iii) the published literature. RESULTS: In the pivotal trials, brolucizumab showed sustained functional gains, superior anatomical outcomes with potentially longer intervals between injections and a well-tolerated overall safety profile. Adverse events reported post-marketing include retinal vasculitis and retinal vascular occlusion. Based on the available information, experts recommend (i) ruling out non-recommended patient profiles (prior history of ORI), (ii) screening the patient prior to each injection to rule out active ORI, (iii) monitoring the patient for early warning signs, and (iv) treating immediately should any adverse events develop. CONCLUSIONS: The adverse events reported are rare, but may be associated with severe and irreversible loss of visual acuity. The recommendations made are intended to facilitate the management of brolucizumab in the routine practice of retinologists, to ensure patient safety and, should any adverse events occur, to minimise their impact on vision.

Chronic cytomegalovirus necrotizing retinitis in a patient with scleroderma and mixed connective tissue disease.

The case is presented of a 52-year-old woman with scleroderma, mixed connective tissue disease, and interstitial lung disease, who developed chronic cytomegalovirus necrotizing retinitis while on treatment with prednisone, mycophenolate, and hydroxychloroquine. Initially diagnosed as macular hole, the patient underwent a pars plana vitrectomy. Two months after surgery, due to progressive worsening, the diagnosis was made and treatment started (intravenous and intravitreal ganciclovir). The patient developed severe macular atrophy with final visual acuity of counting fingers. A chronic retinal necrosis can be caused by cytomegalovirus infection in non-HIV patients with partial immune dysfunction from other causes, characterized by a slowly progressive granular retinitis with occlusive vasculitis.

Retinitis necrosante crónica por citomegalovirus en una paciente con esclerodermia y enfermedad mixta del tejido conectivo / Chronic cytomegalovirus necrotising retinitis in a patient with scleroderma and mixed connective tissue disease

Mujer de 52 años de edad con esclerodermia, enfermedad mixta del tejido conectivo, enfermedad pulmonar intersticial y malnutrición severa a causa de la afectación esofágica de su enfermedad, en tratamiento con prednisona, micofenolato e hidroxicloroquina, que desarrolló una necrosis retiniana crónica por citomegalovirus. Inicialmente diagnosticada de agujero macular, se realizó una vitrectomía para su corrección. No fue hasta 2meses después de la intervención, como consecuencia del empeoramiento progresivo, cuando se realizó el diagnóstico y el comienzo del tratamiento con ganciclovir por vía intravenosa e intravítrea. La agudeza visual final fue de contar dedos, como consecuencia de una grave atrofia macular. En pacientes VIH negativos con inmunodeficiencia parcial por otras causas, puede desarrollarse una necrosis retiniana crónica por citomegalovirus, caracterizada por una necrosis granular lentamente progresiva acompañada de una vasculitis retiniana oclusiva (AU)

The case is presented of a 52-year-old woman with scleroderma, mixed connective tissue disease, and interstitial lung disease, who developed chronic cytomegalovirus necrotising retinitis while on treatment with prednisone, mycophenolate, and hydroxychloroquine. Initially diagnosed as macular hole, the patient underwent a pars plana vitrectomy. Two months after surgery, due to progressive worsening, the diagnosis was made and treatment started (intravenous and intravitreal ganciclovir). The patient developed severe macular atrophy with final visual acuity of counting fingers. A chronic retinal necrosis can be caused by cytomegalovirus infection in non-HIV patients with partial immune dysfunction from other causes, characterised by a slowly progressive granular retinitis with occlusive vasculitis (AU)

Retinal vasculitis associated with epstein-barr virus infection in a young immunocompetent patient. first colombian case report

RESUMEN Introducción. La infección por virus de Epstein-Barr (VEB) suele ser asintomática y persiste durante toda la vida. La afectación ocular es infrecuente, y aunque existen informes de casos, ninguno de ellos proviene de Colombia o Latinoamérica. Presentación del caso. Paciente masculino inmunocompetente con vasculitis retiniana unilateral generalizada, con vasos sin sangre temporales e inferonasales en la periferia, hemorragias intrarretinianas, vitritis intensa y desprendimiento de retina. La presencia de VEB se definió con una técnica de reacción en cadena de la poli-merasa en humor vítreo. El paciente recuperó la agudeza visual con el tratamiento oral antiviral convencional. Discusión. La afectación ocular asociada con el VEB se describe en pacientes inmunocomprometidos, en especial con infección por virus de inmunodeficiencia humana donde puede haber afectación retiniana. En este caso particular se discute la presencia de esta patología en pacientes inmunocompetentes. Conclusiones. La vasculitis retiniana es una entidad rara con mayor asociación a la inmuno-depresión. No existe un algoritmo de diagnóstico de esta enfermedad y la afectación ocular puede ser variable; tampoco existen líneas estándar de tratamiento. La evidencia reportada en el presente caso podría justificar estudios en pacientes seleccionados que muestran un compromiso de la agudeza visual sin una etiología establecida.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Epstein - Barr virus (EBV) infection is usually asymptomatic and persists throughout life. Eye involvement is rare, and even though there are some case reports, none of them comes from Colombia or Latin America. Case presentation: Immunocompetent young man with generalized unilateral retinal vasculitis, temporal and inferonasal bloodless vessels in the periphery, intraretinal hemorrhages, intense vitritis and retinal detachment. Epstein-Barr virus presence was determined using a polymerase chain reaction technique in vitreous humor. The patient recovered visual acuity with conventional antiviral oral treatment. Discussion: Eye involvement associated with Epstein-Barr virus is observed in immunocompromised patients, especially with HIV infection, where retinal involvement may occur. This case reports the presence of this pathology in an immunocompetent patient. Conclusions: Retinal vasculitis is a rare entity, frequently associated with immunocompromise. There is no diagnostic algorithm for this disease and eye involvement may be variable; there are no standard lines of treatment either. The evidence reported here explains the need for studies in selected patients showing visual acuity involvement without an established etiology.

Diagnosis of Eales disease from a macular epiretinal membrane. / Diagnóstico de enfermedad de Eales a partir de una membrana epirretiniana.

Macular involvement is a common finding in patients with Eales disease. The purpose of this communication is to describe the diagnosis of Eales disease from the finding of a macular epiretinal membrane in a young patient. The case is presented of a 38-year-old man referred to this medical service unit with blurred vision developed over the past 3 months, and was associated with vitreoretinal traction and a macular epiretinal membrane. After an ophthalmological examination including the retinal periphery, optical coherence tomography, tuberculin test, interferon gamma release assay (IGRA), and a systemic study, the patient was diagnosed with Eales disease. Macular oedema or epiretinal membranes due to Eales disease are relatively common. Sd-OCT is recommended in all patients with Eales disease. On the other hand, the presence of epiretinal membranes in young patients usually suggests a non-idiopathic aetiology.

Fenómenos vasculares retinianos en esclerosis múltiple. Reporte de caso y revisión narrativa de la literatura / Retinal vascular phenomena in multiple sclerosis. Case report and narrative review of the literatura

Introducción: La esclerosis múltiple (EM) es la enfermedad inflamatoria desmielinizante del sistema nervioso central (SNC) más prevalente en el mundo. Puede presentar afectación a nivel ocular a través del compromiso inflamatorio de distinto tejidos. Objetivo: Dar a conocer la importancia del enfoque temprano de la esclerosis múltiple por parte del médico oftalmólogo. Diseño del estudio: Reporte de caso y revisión narrativa de la literatura. Resumen del caso: Se reporta el caso de una paciente joven con signos de vasculitis retiniana (VR) asociada a neuritis óptica bilateral y uveítis anterior como debut de inusual de la EM. Para la revisión narrativa se llevó a cabo la búsqueda avanzada en tres bases de datos electrónicas: PUBMED, LILACS y OVID. Por medio del gestor de referencias Zotero se realizó la eliminación de duplicados y lectura crítica de título y resumen de 162 artículos por parte de dos investigadores. Conclusión: La EM es una enfermedad crónica inflamatoria del SNC. Puede afectar las estructuras oculares de distintas maneras, una de ellas es la VR, que aunque se caracteriza por el compromiso de vasos venosos, hay que tener en cuenta presentaciones atípicas como hemorragias periarteriolares, aneurismas de grandes vasos, cierre capilar periférico, oclusión de arterial central de la retina, neovascularización del nervio óptico o aparición en etapas tempranas de la enfermedad. La fuerte asociación entre la VR y la actividad de la EM destaca la importancia del reconocimiento de patrones atípicos de una enfermedad que requiere del manejo y seguimiento oportuno por parte de neurología y oftalmología.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most prevalent infl ammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) in the world. It may present involvement at the ocular level through the inflammatory compromise of different tissues. Objective: To provide knowledge on the importance of the early approach of multiple sclerosis by the ophthalmologist. Study design: Case report and narrative review of the literature. Case summary: We report the case of a young patient with signs of retinal vasculitis (RV) associated with bilateral optic neuritis and anterior uveitis as an unusual debut of MS. For the narrative review, the advanced search was carried out in three electronic databases: PUBMED, LILACS and OVID. Through the Zotero reference manager, the elimination of duplicates and critical reading of the title and summary of 162 articles by two researchers was carried out. Conclusion: MS is a chronic inflammatory disease of the CNS. It can affect the ocular structures in different ways, one of them is RV, which although it is characterized by the involvement of venous vessels, we must take into account atypical presentations such as periarteriolar hemorrhages, large vessel aneurysms,peripheral capillary closure, retinal artery occlusion, neovascularization of the optic nerve or appearance in the early stages of the disease. The strong association between RV and MS activity highlights the importance of recognizing atypical patterns of a disease that requires early management and follow-up by neurology and ophthalmology.

Retinal and optic disc vasculitis in Susac's syndrome. / Vasculitis retiniana y del disco óptico en el síndrome de Susac.

CASE REPORT: The case is presented of 42 year-old woman with no significant medical history, with severe headaches, nausea and vomiting, hearing loss, and alteration of mental status with disorientation and confusion. Ophthalmic examination showed optic disc hyperaemia in right eye, and focal areas of arteriolar occlusion in both eyes. Audiometry demonstrated bilateral neurosensory hypoacusis. Magnetic Resonance Imaging showed multiple small round hyperintense lesions located in the splenium, corpus callosum, basal ganglia, and white matter. DISCUSSION: Besides branch retinal arteriolar occlusion, the angiopathy in Susac's syndrome may affect the optic disc vessels.

New imaging techniques in retinal vasculitis. / Nuevas técnicas de imagen en vasculitis retinianas.

The term retinal vasculitis (RV) encompasses a heterogeneous group of sight-threatening conditions that are included in the intraocular inflammatory diseases that affect the posterior segment of the eye. Based on the nature of the inflammatory process, RV are classified into predominantly inflammatory or ischaemic (occlusive RV). The diagnosis is clinical and the aetiology can be infectious or non-infectious (immune-mediated). RV can be an isolated ocular syndrome or be associated with a systemic disease, of which they can represent the first manifestation. New retinal imaging techniques such as ultra-wide field fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography angiography will help us classify the RV and aid the diagnostic process, which can be challenging and require a multidisciplinary approach. Therefore, clinical knowledge of RV is essential for prompt diagnosis and to establish the appropriate treatment.

Papillophlebitis versus paediatric venous thrombosis. A case with 46C/T polymorphism in the F12 coagulation gene. / Papiloflebitis versus trombosis venosa pediátrica. Un caso con polimorfismo C46T del gen F12 de la coagulación.

CLINICAL CASE: An 8 year-old boy with no known diseases, with sudden loss of visual acuity (VA) in the left eye (LE). EXAMINATION: VA 1 in right eye, and 0.1 in LE, discrete left relative afferent pupil defect (RAPD). Normal biomicroscopy. Funduscopy: congestive papilla, venous tortuosity, peripapillary haemorrhages with macular oedema in LE. The systemic study only revealed A C46Tpolymorphism in the F12 coagulation gene. He had a VA of 1 and normal funduscopy 8 months later. DISCUSSION: Papillophlebitis is an inflammatory and non-ischaemic central retinal vein occlusion, ophthalmoscopically similar to central retinal vein thrombosis. The systemic study is essential to rule out underlying diseases.

Vasculitis Oblioterativa Idiopática. Reporte de tres casos / Idiopathic obliterative retinal vasculitis. Three cases report

Se presentan tres casos de mujeres jóvenes que presentaron perdida de agudeza visual sin otros síntomas asociados, al examen físico se encontraron signos de vasculitis obliterativa de la retina. Se realizaron estudios complementarios tanto oftalmológicos como sistémicos, pero no se encontró ningún hallazgo sugestivo de una patología primaria como causa de la vasculitis. Se les diagnosticó entonces vasculitis obliterativa idiopática de la retina. Es escasa la información que existe en la literatura sobre esta patología, por lo cual el diagnóstico final generalmente se hace de forma tardía, retrasando también un tratamiento oportuno.

This article presents three cases of young women who presented visual acuity loss without other symptoms, the ophthalmologic exam showed evidence of obliterative vasculitis. Complementary ocular and systemic exams were made but there was no fi nding suggesting a primary pathology as the cause of the vasculitis. Thus, they were diagnosed with idiopathic obliterative retinal vasculitis. There is scarce information about this entity in the medical literature.

Churg-Strauss syndrome associated with antiphospholipid antibodies in a patient with retinal vasculitis. / Síndrome de Churg-Strauss asociado con anticuerpos antifosfolipídicos en un paciente con vasculitis retiniana.

CASE REPORT: We present the case of a 69-year-old woman with unilateral retinal vasculitis. Investigations showed asthma, rhinosinusitis, nasal polyposis, peripheral blood eosinophilia, increased sedimentation rate, proteinuria, and antiphospholipid antibodies. Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) were negative. DISCUSSION: Although her anti-neutrophil cytoplasmatic antibody (ANCA) status was negative, taking into account the other clinical and laboratory features, retinal vasculitis was thought to be an ocular manifestation of Churg-Strauss syndrome. Treatment was started with high-dose corticosteroids and anticoagulant therapy.

Early treatment with infliximab in bilateral occlusive vasculitis as a presenting manifestation of Behçet' disease.

CASE REPORT: A 24 year old woman who complained of maculo-papulo rash, genital and bucal aphthous ulcers, abdominal pain, minor dyspnea and visual loss in both eyes. Funduscopy revealed a bilateral occlusive vasculitis including central vessels. Treatment was initiated with a methylprednisolone bolus (1 g/24h) and infliximab 5mg/kg/day (0-2-6 weeks and every 8 weeks). The treatment prescribed induced a fast remission. Visual acuity improved. The patient did not suffer any other relapse after one year of follow-up. DISCUSSION: An initial treatment with Infliximab should be considered in Behçet disease for serious outbreaks, such as macular occlusive vasculitis with ischemia.