KNOWLEDGE OF ANTIMICROBIAL DRUG RESISTANCE (AMR) AMONG PATIENTS IN A GENERAL OUTPATIENT CLINIC IN ABUJA MUNICIPAL AREA COUNCIL (AMAC), FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, NIGERIA.

Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is currently prevalent and has the potential to affect everyone, of any age, in any country. In humans, animals, and the environment, antimicrobial-resistant microbes are quickly emerging and spreading. This study aims to assess the knowledge of Antimicrobial Drug Resistance (AMR) among patients in a General Outpatient Clinic in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study among 400 clients in a district hospital done in 2022 using a multistage sampling technique. Data was collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire and analyzed and presented as tables, proportions, and percentages using the IBM SPSS 28 Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Ethical approval was granted by Bingham University Teaching Hospital Ethical Research Committee, Jos, and Plateau State. Results: The study revealed that 8.5% of female respondents had good knowledge, 20.75% had fair knowledge while 27.75% had poor knowledge. Of all the male respondents, 8.5% had good knowledge, 13% had fair knowledge and 21.5% had poor knowledge. Summarily, only 68 (17.0%) of participants had good knowledge of antimicrobial resistance, 135 (33.75%) had fair knowledge of antimicrobial resistance, and 197 (49.25%) had poor knowledge of antimicrobial resistance. Test of association between knowledge of antimicrobial resistance and socio-demographics showed that marital status (χ² = 44.28, p < 0.045), Education (χ²= 123.80, p < 0.001), and Age (χ² = 112.95, p < 0.001) were statistically significant. Conclusion: The Federal, State, and Local governments, health care providers, and community health workers should focus on increasing awareness of AMR risk factors through health campaigns and programs that will aid behavioral change.

Pediatric Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2B: Clinicopathological Correlation of Perilimbal Mucosal Neuromas and Treatment of Secondary Open-Angle Glaucoma.

Ocular findings of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B (MEN 2B) include prominent corneal nerves, mucosal neuromas of the conjunctiva, glaucoma, and dry eyes. A 15-year-old girl with MEN 2B presents with advanced secondary open-angle glaucoma and bilateral perilimbal masses. High-resolution optical coherence tomography (HR-OCT) of the perilimbal lesions showed normal epithelial thickness and subepithelial lobular areas of mixed reflectivity, which correlates well with histopathologic findings of benign mucosal neuromas. The patient underwent bilateral gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) in both eyes, which achieved adequate intraocular pressure control at short-term follow-up. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report correlating HR-OCT and histopathologic findings in benign mucosal neuroma associated with MEN 2B, and the first description of secondary open-angle glaucoma associated with MEN 2B treated with GATT.

Consequences of Puberty on Efficacy of Intraocular Pressure-Lowering Drugs in Male Dutch-Belted Rabbits.

PURPOSE: To investigate the changes in intraocular pressure (IOP), aqueous flow, and outflow facility, as well as efficacy of IOP-lowering drugs before and after sexual development in rabbits. METHODS: Male Dutch-belted rabbits were studied at night between the ages of 8 and 44 weeks. During these times, body weight, testicular volume, and serum testosterone were measured to monitor sexual maturity. Ocular measurements included anterior chamber depth, central corneal thickness, IOP, aqueous flow, and outflow facility. Systemic acetazolamide or topical timolol, latanoprost, or saline were administered pre- and postpuberty to assess drug effects on these parameters. RESULTS: Body weight, testicular volume, and serum testosterone increased until 28 weeks of age. IOP increased during prepuberty (R2 = 0.49, P = 0.003), dropped significantly during puberty, rising again immediate postpuberty, and changing little thereafter. Postpuberty compared with prepuberty found higher IOP (P < 0.0001), slower aqueous flow (P = 0.008), lower outflow facility (not statistically significant, P = 0.07), increased central cornea thickness, and increased anterior chamber volume. Timolol lowered IOP both pre- and postpuberty, whereas, latanoprost and acetazolamide decreased IOP postpuberty only. CONCLUSIONS: As male rabbits mature, the cornea thickens and the anterior chamber volume increases. At the same time, aqueous flow slows, yet, IOP increases. This suggests that decreased outflow facility and/or increased episcleral venous pressure might contribute to the puberty-related changes in IOP. Underdevelopment of tissues of the outflow pathways may contribute to the differences in drug efficacy in rabbits when young compared with after sexual maturity.

Measuring intraocular pressure.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Tonometry is undergoing a long-overdue renaissance. Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) is 50-year-old technology. Although GAT is considered a 'reference standard', it has many limitations and confounders. This review compares GAT to some of the newer technologies that have recently been commercialized or are in development. RECENT FINDINGS: Dynamic contour tonometry is fairly cornea-independent, but requires technical skill to carry out. Rebound tonometry requires no anesthetic and is particularly useful in children. The ocular response analyzer quantifies corneal biomechanical factors and provides other useful measures relevant to glaucoma risk. A transpalpebral tonometer that claims to measure intraocular pressure (IOP) through the closed eyelid has been introduced, but studies comparing it to conventional tonometers suggest it is too unreliable for routine use. Various new technologies including IOP-sensing contact lenses and implantable sensors are in clinical evaluation. SUMMARY: There is no perfect tonometer, and clinicians must choose which to use in their daily practice, balancing accuracy, precision, convenience, and cost. Clinicians should recognize that a single IOP measurement is but an often error-prone snapshot of a widely varying physiologic parameter. IOP data should only be used in the context of the overall clinical picture.