Splenic infarction caused by a rare coinfection of Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Mycoplasma pneumoniae are common pathogens of respiratory infection among children and young adults. Although single infection of 1 of these pathogens is common enough, their coinfection has been rarely reported. A 19-year-old woman presented with severe upper abdominal pain for 5 hours as well as flu-like symptoms and jaundice for 2 to 3 weeks. Initial tests found pancytopenia, abnormal liver functions, and presence of atypical lymphocytes in blood smear; the computed tomography of the abdomen revealed para-aortic lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, and a wedge-shaped focal hypodensity lesion at the periphery of the spleen that was later diagnosed as splenic infarction. Her presentation raised suspicion of infectious mononucleosis. Nevertheless, monospot test, human immunodeficiency virus screening, and hepatitis viral serology were all negative, except that her M pneumoniae immunoglobulin M was found positive. Azithromycin was promptly given, but her fever and abdominal pain persisted. A strong suspicion of mononucleosis led to serological tests for EBV and CMV, which confirmed coinfection of EBV and CMV. By hospital day 7, her fever and abdominal pain had subsided and her liver function became normal. This case exemplifies the challenges in the diagnosis of coinfection of multiple respiratory pathogens and its associated complications. Greater awareness among clinicians would ensure an earlier and more accurate diagnosis of coinfection of EBV/CMV with other respiratory pathogen(s).

Antagonism of vascular endothelial growth factor for macular edema caused by retinal vein occlusions: two-year outcomes.

PURPOSE: To determine the long-term effects of intraocular antagonism of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with macular edema caused by retinal vein occlusions (RVOs). DESIGN: Prospective randomized trial. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty patients with macular edema caused by branch RVOs (BRVOs) and 20 patients with central RVOs (CRVOs). METHODS: After the month 3 primary end point, patients were seen every 2 months and received injections of an anti-VEGF agent as needed for recurrent edema. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mean change from baseline best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at month 24 with assessment of other parameters of visual function and center subfield thickness (foveal thickness [FTH]). RESULTS: For 17 patients with BRVO who completed 2 years of follow-up, the mean improvement from baseline in BCVA at month 24 was 17.8 letters compared with 15.6 letters at month 3. Improvement by at least 6, 3, or 2 lines occurred in 18%, 59%, and 76% of patients, respectively. The Snellen equivalent BCVA at month 24 was 20/40 or better in 10 patients. With an average of 2 injections of ranibizumab during year 2, the mean FTH at month 24 was 245.8 µm compared with 217.1 µm at month 3 and 481.5 µm at baseline. For 14 patients with CRVO who completed 2 years of follow-up, the mean improvement in BCVA at month 24 was 8.5 letters compared with 12.0 letters at month 3. Improvement by at least 6, 3, or 2 lines occurred in 14%, 21%, and 43% of patients, respectively. The Snellen equivalent BCVA at month 24 was 20/40 or better in 4 patients. With an average of 3.5 injections of ranibizumab in year 2, mean FTH at month 24 was 338 µm compared with 278 µm at month 3 and 533 µm at baseline. Duration of RVO >1 year at study entry and nonperfusion of perifoveal capillaries for 360 degrees correlated with reduced visual outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Antagonism of VEGF provides substantial long-term benefit to patients with macular edema caused by RVO, but frequent injections are required in some patients with BRVO and most patients with CRVO.

Topical mecamylamine for diabetic macular edema.

PURPOSE: Stimulation of nicotinic acetylcholine (nACh) receptors on vascular endothelial cells promotes angiogenesis and vascular permeability in animal models. The safety and bioactivity of topical mecamylamine, an antagonist of nACh receptors, was tested in patients with diabetic macular edema. DESIGN: A multicenter phase I/II clinical trial. METHODS: Twenty-three patients with chronic diabetic macular edema received 1% mecamylamine topically twice daily for 12 weeks, the primary end point. Patients underwent safety assessments, measurement of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and measurement of foveal thickness using optical coherence tomography at baseline, 1, 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks. RESULTS: Mecamylamine drops were well tolerated and there were no drug-related safety problems. Mean improvement in BCVA at 1, 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks was 2.8, 1.9, 2.4, 0.8, and 3.1 letters, respectively. There was little change in mean excess foveal thickness. There was substantial heterogeneity in response, because 8 patients showed convincing improvement in BCVA, foveal thickness, or both, 9 patients showed equivocal or no substantial changes, and 4 patients showed worsening. Five patients showed a substantial improvement in BCVA, foveal thickness, or both between their last visit while receiving mecamylamine and 1 month after stopping mecamylamine. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that administration of topical mecamylamine, a nonspecific nACh receptor blocker, may have heterogeneous effects in patients with diabetic macular edema. Variable expression of nACh receptor subtypes on endothelial cells that have different effects on permeability would provide an explanation for these results and should be investigated, because more specific nACh receptor blockers may dissociate antipermeability and propermeability effects.