Corneal infections in the 21st century.

Ninety years ago, the first issue of the Postgraduate Medical Journal published a review of an article written by Mr Robert Lindsay-Rea, a consultant ophthalmic surgeon in the Western Ophthalmic Hospital and an oculist in the West End Hospital for Nervous Diseases, entitled "A preliminary report on the treatment of keratitis". Today, microbial keratitis remains an important cause of avoidable visual impairment in the world. The aetiology of microbial keratitis has changed greatly over the past century due to the discovery of antibiotics, improvement in sanitation and education, the rising trend of contact lens wear and increased air travel. Significant advances have also been made in our understanding and management of this important disorder. This article highlights some of these changes and discusses the current management and research.

Vertical transmission of bacterial eye infections, Angola, 2011-2012.

To determine transmission rates for neonatal conjunctivitis causative microorganisms in Angola, we analyzed 312 endocervical and 255 conjunctival samples from mothers and newborns, respectively, during 2011-2012. Transmission rates were 50% for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae and 10.5% for Mycoplasma genitalium. Possible pathogenic effects of M. genitalium in children's eyes are unknown.

Gerhard Henrik Armauer Hansen (1841-1912)--100 years anniversary tribute.

2012 marks the 100th year of death of Gerhard Henrik Armauer Hansen (1841-1912), who discovered Mycobacterium leprae, but also gave the first systematic scientific work on the leprosy of the eye. The article reviews his life and scientific achievements with special regard to eye and ophthalmology.

Ocular bartonellosis.

PURPOSE: To review recent advances in the basic and clinical biology of Bartonella-related eye disease. METHOD: A review of the pertinent medical literature was performed. RESULTS: A number of novel Bartonella species have been identified over the past decade. Of these, Bartonella henselae, the etiologic agent in cat scratch disease, is most often associated with ocular complications, which may include Parinaud oculoglandular syndrome, neuroretinitis, and focal retinochoroiditis. Although cat and flea exposure appear to be the main risk factors for contracting cat scratch disease, the diagnosis of ocular bartonellosis relies primarily on the recognition of suggestive clinical signs in conjunction with positive serologic testing. B. henselae-associated ocular complications are usually self-limited but may be treated with doxycycline or erythromycin, with or without rifampin, when the infections are severe or sight-threatening. CONCLUSIONS: B. henselae infection is common and should be considered in patients with Parinaud oculoglandular syndrome, neuroretinitis, or focal retinochoroiditis, particularly when there is a history of cat or flea exposure.

Avaliaçäo oftalmológica em hanseníase multibacilar / To evalue the ocurrence of ophthalmologic involvement in multibacillary leprosy patients

Determinar a freqüência e o tipo de comprotimento ocular em pacientes portadores de hanseníase no momento do diagnóstico. Metodologia: O estudo foi realizado na Fundaçäo Oswaldo Cruz (Rio de Janeiro) e avalia 77 casos classificados como multibacilares. O exame oftalmológico foi realizado de acordo com o sistema de classificaçäo de discapacidades recomendado pela Organizaçäo Mundial de Saúde. Resultados: Referiam queixas especificas 36,3 (por cento): dor e ardência ocular, lacrimejamento e dificuldade para enxergar. Em 55,8 (por cento) dos pacientes foram detectadas alteraçöes oculares no exame oftalmológico. A diminuiçäo da sensibilidade da córnea, que predispöe a ulceraçäo e opacificaçäo, foi a alteraçäo mais frequênte 29,3 (por cento). Conclusäo: os achados desta pesquisa demonstram a gravidade e a alta freqüência das lesöes oculares nos casos avaliados e alertam para a importância do exame oftalmológico como rotina em portadores de hanseníase multibacilar