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AAPS PharmSciTech 2021 Jun 3;22(5):170. Epub 2021 Jun 3.

Pharmaceutics Research Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK.

A novel nanofiber insert was prepared with a modified electrospinning method to enhance the ocular residence time of ofloxacin (OFX) and to provide a sustained release pattern by covering hydrophilic polymers, chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol (CS/PVA) nanofibers, with a hydrophobic polymer, Eudragit RL100 in layers, and by glutaraldehyde (GA) cross-linking of CS-PVA nanofibers for the treatment of infectious conjunctivitis. The morphology of the prepared nanofibers was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The average fiber diameter was found to be 123 ± 23 nm for the single electrospun nanofiber with no cross-linking (OFX-O). Read More

Antibiotics (Basel) 2021 May 3;10(5). Epub 2021 May 3.

Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy.

Ocular bacterial infections represent a serious problem that affecting people of all age and genders. These infections can lead to visual impairment and blindness if not properly treated. The current study evaluates the antimicrobial resistance profiles and the resistance trend of both () and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), the main pathogens involved in eye infections. Read More

Case Rep Ophthalmol 2021 Jan-Apr;12(1):311-314. Epub 2021 Apr 30.

Oregon Retina, a Division of Sterling Vision, Eugene, Oregon, USA.

A 73-year-old man presented 3 days after intravitreal injection (IVI) with bevacizumab for treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration with pain and redness around the injection site. Examination showed conjunctival edema and injection around the injection site and a central infiltrate at the injection site consistent with infection of Tenon's capsule and the conjunctiva. Infection of a vitreous wick was considered, but vitreous inflammation was not present. Read More

Eye Contact Lens 2021 May 25. Epub 2021 May 25.

Department of Ophthalmology (S.A., R.P.K., V.J.), University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA; Department of Ophthalmology (C.P.), Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA; and The Charles T. Campbell Ophthalmic Microbiology Laboratory (S.N., R.P.K., V.J.), University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA.

Purpose: Serratia marcescens is a frequent ocular bacterial pathogen implicated in keratitis, endophthalmitis, and conjunctivitis. We evaluated the risk factors and treatment outcomes of ocular infections due to S. marcescens. Read More

Eye (Lond) 2021 May 25. Epub 2021 May 25.

Department of Ophthalmology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Japan.

Objective: To investigate the association between exposure to topical ophthalmic antibiotics during pregnancy and adverse neonatal outcomes.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we identified pregnant women with hordeola, chalazia, blepharitis, or bacterial conjunctivitis from 2005 to 2018 using the Japanese Medical Data Centre Claims Database. From the eligible women, we extracted women who were dispensed no topical antibiotics during the first trimester (non-antibiotic group), women who were dispensed topical fluoroquinolones alone at least once (fluoroquinolone alone group), and women who were dispensed any single type of antibiotic (single-antibiotic group). Read More

J Biomol Struct Dyn 2021 May 25:1-13. Epub 2021 May 25.

Department of Biotechnology, Siddaganga Institute of Technology, Tumkur, Karnataka, India.

is the primary cause of chronic conjunctivitis without respiratory infections in cats, making conjunctiva as its primary target. It is a Gram-negative obligate intracellular bacterium that cannot survive outside the host cell. can be found worldwide and its zoonotic potential is a known phenomenon. Read More

Int J Ophthalmol 2021 18;14(5):666-675. Epub 2021 May 18.

Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr Al-Aini 11562, Cairo, Egypt.

Aim: To detect the quantitative expression levels of the pro-inflammatory interleukin-8 (IL8), antimicrobial peptides human beta defense-2 (HBD2), and human beta defense-3 (HBD3) genes in bacterial conjunctivitis.

Methods: The human conjunctival epithelial cells were obtained using the impression cytology technique from healthy controls and patients. The genes expression levels were determined utilizing a reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Read More

Res Social Adm Pharm 2021 May 6. Epub 2021 May 6.

School of Pharmacy, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand. Electronic address:

Background: Clinical decision-making (CDM) is the dynamic process used to gather, interpret and evaluate data to select an evidence-based choice of action. As the role of the pharmacist becomes more patient-focused, effective CDM skills are increasingly vital to achieve patient outcomes centred on quality, safety and efficacy.

Objective: To examine how community pharmacists reason through a clinical problem and what factors assist or hinder decision-making. Read More

J Pharm Sci 2021 Apr 30. Epub 2021 Apr 30.

Department of Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62111, Egypt.

In the present study, we aimed to formulate, optimize, and characterize azithromycin chitosan coated niosomes (AZM-CTS-NSM) as a novel colloidal system that increases precorneal residence period, eye permeation, and bioavailability. AZM-NSM was formulated via a modified thin-film hydration strategy and then coated with CTS. We assessed the influence of the cholesterol: surfactant molar ratio, CTS concentration, and surfactant type on particle diameter, entrapment, zeta potential, and NSM adhesion force to the corneal mucosal membrane and employed a central composite design (CCD). Read More

Vet Microbiol 2021 May 31;256:109062. Epub 2021 Mar 31.

Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse-Faculty University Zurich, Zurich, 8057, Switzerland; Center for Clinical Studies, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, 8057, Switzerland.

Chlamydia (C.) pecorum, an obligate intracellular bacterial species commonly found in ruminants, can also occur in pigs. However, its significance as a potential porcine pathogen, or commensal, is still unclear. Read More

Plants (Basel) 2021 Mar 1;10(3). Epub 2021 Mar 1.

Laboratory for Organic Reactivity, Discovery and Synthesis (LORDS), Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Santo Tomas, España Blvd., Manila 1015, Philippines.

(Roxb. ex G.Don) J. Read More

J Prim Health Care 2021 03;13(1):3-4

Medical Research Centre, University of Waikato, New Zealand.

BMJ Case Rep 2021 Mar 29;14(3). Epub 2021 Mar 29.

Ophthalmology, Birmingham Children's Hospital, Birmingham, West Midlands, UK.

is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes urogenital tract infections, and ocular infections including trachoma, neonatal conjunctivitis and adult chlamydial inclusion conjunctivitis. A positive diagnosis in children often raises suspicions of sexual abuse. While outer membrane protein A () genotypes A-C are non-invasive and are associated with trachoma; genotypes D-K are often associated with sexually transmitted urogenital infections or sexually acquired chlamydial conjunctivitis. Read More

BMC Infect Dis 2021 Mar 17;21(1):270. Epub 2021 Mar 17.

Department of Pediatrics, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, 450 Clarkson Ave., Box 49, Brooklyn, NY, 11203, USA.

Background: Neonatal ocular prophylaxis with silver nitrate does not prevent neonatal conjunctivitis due to Chlamydia trachomatis. The efficacy of antibiotic containing preparations for prevention of neonatal chlamydial conjunctivitis (NCC) has not been established.

Objective: To examine published literature to determine whether antibiotic containing preparation are efficacious for prevention of NCC and C. Read More

GMS Ophthalmol Cases 2021 28;11:Doc02. Epub 2021 Jan 28.

Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Campus Macaé (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Parinaud's oculoglandular syndrome (POS) is a clinical condition characterized by granulomatous conjunctivitis associated with homolateral neck pain and anterior preauricular lymphadenopathy. Several reports of this condition occurred and some bacterial etiological agents were identified. However, fungal infections have also been associated, especially sporotrichosis. Read More

J Ophthalmic Inflamm Infect 2021 Mar 1;11(1). Epub 2021 Mar 1.

Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.

Background: Ocular infections are a serious public health problem in Ethiopia with increased incidence of morbidity and blindness. Empirical therapy with topical ophthalmic broad spectrum antibiotic formulations is also a prevailing practice. The aim of this study was to determine the bacterial causes of external ocular infections (EOIs), antimicrobial resistance and its associated risk factors among patients at Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. Read More

Clin Med Insights Pediatr 2021 8;15:1179556521992367. Epub 2021 Feb 8.

Beaumont Children's Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan and Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, MI, USA.

, a low-virulence Gram-negative coccobacillus, is classically associated with conjunctivitis and upper respiratory tract infections; systemic infections such as sepsis have rarely been reported, especially in children. We describe a 28-month-old girl with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome and stage II chronic kidney disease on long-term eculizumab therapy who presented with systemic inflammatory response syndrome and was found to have bloodstream infection. Eculizumab, a humanized monoclonal anti-C5 antibody, has been associated with susceptibility to infections with encapsulated bacteria, especially . Read More

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2021 03;115(3):213-221

Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted planned annual antibiotic mass drug administration (MDA) activities that have formed the cornerstone of the largely successful global efforts to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem.

Methods: Using a mathematical model we investigate the impact of interruption to MDA in trachoma-endemic settings. We evaluate potential measures to mitigate this impact and consider alternative strategies for accelerating progress in those areas where the trachoma elimination targets may not be achievable otherwise. Read More

An Pediatr (Engl Ed) 2021 Feb 11. Epub 2021 Feb 11.

Servicio de Farmacia, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, España; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, España; RETIC SAMID Carlos III (RD16/0022/0004), Madrid, España.

Introduction: In January 2019, Community of Madrid's Health Department published a guide about the use of antimicrobials in outpatient children. Taking this regional Guide as reference, this study was aimed at estimating the adequacy of the antimicrobial stewardship at discharge from a pediatric Emergency Department (ED). Secondarily, the differences in adequacy according to the diagnosis and the prescriber were studied, and the agreement between this Guide and the protocols of the ED was assessed. Read More

Tunis Med 2020 Jun;98(6):501-504

Introduction: Spontaneous retinal reattachment is very rare in the natural evolution of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and it is often undervalued.

Aim: To report some cases of this affection.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted reporting five eyes of five patients who presented for acute visual loss in relation with a confirmed rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Read More

Adv Biomed Res 2020 30;9:49. Epub 2020 Sep 30.

Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.

Background: Conjunctivitis is a very common ocular disease, which can be caused by a wide variety of microorganisms. This study was aimed to assess the bacterial etiology and antibiotic susceptibility of conjunctivitis patients' isolates from Central Iran.

Materials And Methods: This study was performed in 180 patients referred to the Department of Ophthalmology in Kashan University with symptoms of conjunctivitis from July 2017 to December 2017. Read More

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2021 03;115(3):222-228

Francis I Proctor Foundation, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.

Background: Progress towards elimination of trachoma as a public health problem has been substantial, but the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted community-based control efforts.

Methods: We use a susceptible-infected model to estimate the impact of delayed distribution of azithromycin treatment on the prevalence of active trachoma.

Results: We identify three distinct scenarios for geographic districts depending on whether the basic reproduction number and the treatment-associated reproduction number are above or below a value of 1. Read More

Saudi Pharm J 2020 Dec 22;28(12):1558-1565. Epub 2020 Oct 22.

Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Benha University, Benha 13511, Egypt.

Conjunctivitis, caused by bacterial infections, represents health concern and diagnosis of the disease is pivotal for the proper selection of the treatment. The main causes of bacterial conjunctivitis vary in different countries. The current study investigated the common bacterial causes of bacterial conjunctivitis from eye clinics' attendants and evaluated the effectiveness of different therapeutic approaches. Read More

Sci Rep 2021 01 8;11(1):11. Epub 2021 Jan 8.

Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.

Haemophilus influenzae is a predominant pathogen for conjunctivitis, acute otitis media and acute bacterial paranasal sinusitis in children. We undertook this study to investigate the possible association among these diseases. Children younger than 18-year-old with a diagnosis of bacterial conjunctivitis plus acute otitis media and/or acute bacterial paranasal sinusitis during 2009-2018 were included. Read More

Environ Monit Assess 2021 Jan 6;193(1):36. Epub 2021 Jan 6.

Laboratory of Hydrobiology and Environment, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, P.O. Box 812, Yaounde, Cameroon.

The study highlights the presence of pathogenic strains of microorganisms in two swimming pools, highly frequented in the city of Yaounde. Thus, the water samples from these swimming pools have undergone physicochemical and biological treatments using conventional techniques. Three groups of microorganisms (Bacteria, Protozoa, and Helminths) were identified and quantified in these swimming pools with weakly acidic waters (6. Read More

BMC Ophthalmol 2021 Jan 6;21(1):15. Epub 2021 Jan 6.

Francis I Proctor Foundation, University of California, San Francisco, USA.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends annual mass azithromycin distribution until districts drop below 5% prevalence of trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF). Districts with very low TF prevalence may have little or no transmission of the ocular strains of Chlamydia trachomatis that cause trachoma, and additional rounds of mass azithromycin distribution may not be useful. Here, we describe the protocol for a randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate whether mass azithromycin distribution can be stopped prior to the current WHO guidelines. Read More

J Med Microbiol 2021 Feb;70(2)

Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Framstredet 39, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway.

is frequently isolated from the eyes of cattle with infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK; pinkeye). As with which has been causally linked to IBK, expresses an RTX (repeats in the structural toxin) cytotoxin that is related to cytotoxin. Pilin, another pathogenic factor in , is required for corneal attachment. Read More

Clin Case Rep 2020 Dec 3;8(12):3503-3506. Epub 2020 Nov 3.

Department of Hospital Medicine CHI St Vincent Infirmary Little Rock AR USA.

Preseptal cellulitis is a serious diagnosis that can progress to postseptal cellulitis leading to grave consequences. Clinically, viral and bacterial cellulitis can be indistinguishable from each other. Using rapid DNA/RNA sequencing can be helpful. Read More

JAMA Ophthalmol 2021 02;139(2):214-217

Office of New Drugs, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland.

Importance: Off-label treatment was common for ophthalmia neonatorum because only erythromycin ointment had been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for this indication. Ophthalmia neonatorum was previously considered a different indication from bacterial conjunctivitis in older children and adults because of uncertain similarities in the cause of disease and the treatment course between the 2 populations. Prospective therapeutic clinical studies were required to demonstrate the effectiveness of treatment for ophthalmia neonatorum. Read More

Ir Vet J 2020 Nov 4;73(1):21. Epub 2020 Nov 4.

SubDepartment of Veterinary Prevention and Avian Diseases, Institute of Biological Bases of Animal Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences Lublin, Lublin, Poland.

Background: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial effect of experimental eye drops with bacteriophages in elimination of Staphylococcus spp. isolated from dogs with bacterial conjunctivitis.. Read More