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Cornea 2019 Feb 7. Epub 2019 Feb 7.

Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.

Purpose: To describe the first reported case of Mycobacterium chelonae-related interface keratitis after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK), successfully treated with DMEK exchange.

Methods: A case of donor-related DMEK interface keratitis, treated with medical therapy and DMEK exchange, was studied retrospectively.

Results: A patient with Fuchs endothelial dystrophy developed infectious interface keratitis after DMEK. Read More

Drug Dev Ind Pharm 2019 Feb 12:1-54. Epub 2019 Feb 12.

c Department of surgical pathology, Faculty of Medicine , Cairo University , Cairo , Egypt.

Objectives: This study was aimed to develop dual-purpose natamycin(NAT) loaded niosomes in ketorolac tromethamine(KT) gels topical ocular drug delivery system to improve the clinical efficacy of natamycin through enhancing its penetration through corneal tissue and reducing inflammation associated with Fungal keratitis(FK).

Significance: Nanosized carrier systems, as niosomes would provide great potential for improving NAT ocular bioavailability.NAT niosomal dispersion formulae were prepared and then incorporated in 0. Read More

Arq Bras Oftalmol 2019 Mar-Apr;82(2):152-154

Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

We describe here a case of a 21-year-old woman who presented with low visual acuity, pain, and hyperemia in the left eye for 45 days. Her eye had extensive corneal infiltrate, with melting and a central perforation that was glued with cyanoacrylate, but with Seidel (+). She underwent tectonic corneal transplantation, and anterior chamber lavage with subconjunctival infiltration with voriconazole, as well as intracameral injections of amphotericin B. Read More

Am J Ophthalmol 2019 Feb 2. Epub 2019 Feb 2.

Aravind Eye Hospital and Post-Graduate Institute of Ophthalmology, Coimbatore, India 641014.

Purpose: To ascertain the incidence of Acanthamoeba Keratitis, and the co-existence of Acanthamoeba & fungi in microbial keratitis Design; A prospective cross-sectional study METHODS: Patients presenting with stromal keratitis were additionally tested for Acanthamoeba irrespective of the clinical diagnosis. Culture positivity was the gold standard RESULTS: Of the 401 cases included in the study, 40 were positive for Acanthamoeba (10 %), 16 of these 40 were positive for both Acanthamoeba and fungi (4.5% of the Study Group was Acanthamoeba and fungal Keratitis positive); 5/40 for Acanthamoeba and bacteria; 2/40 had triple infection with Acanthamoeba, fungi and bacteria. Read More

Br J Ophthalmol 2019 Feb 1. Epub 2019 Feb 1.

Ophthalmology, Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

Background/aims: To describe the risk factors, clinical features, bacterial subspecies characteristics and treatment outcomes of Moraxella keratitis in a single centre.

Methods: A retrospective review of all patients diagnosed with Moraxella keratitis between November 2012 and December 2017 at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin, Ireland was performed. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry was used to identify subspecies. Read More

Infect Genet Evol 2019 Jan 30;69:203-210. Epub 2019 Jan 30.

Department of Ocular Microbiology, Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai, India. Electronic address:

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important cause of vision threatening ocular infections. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of MRSA and their genotypic characterization in ocular infections. The study period was from January 2007 to December 2017 in Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai. Read More

PLoS One 2019 30;14(1):e0211757. Epub 2019 Jan 30.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone. Read More

Int J Nanomedicine 2019 15;14:605-622. Epub 2019 Jan 15.

Department of Nanobiotechnology, Vision Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya campus, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India,

Background: Fungal keratitis is a major cause of corneal blindness accounting for more than one-third of microbiologically proven cases. The management of fungal keratitis is through topical or systemic antifungal medications alone or in combination with surgical treatment. Topical medications such as natamycin and voriconazole pose major challenges due to poor penetration across the corneal epithelium. Read More

Int Immunopharmacol 2019 Jan 25;69:103-108. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China. Electronic address:

Purpose: Maresin1, a lipid mediator derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids, has been shown to suppress the inflammatory response in various inflammatory diseases. However, its effects in fungal keratitis are still uncertain. In this study, we investigated the role of maresin1 (MaR1) in Aspergillus fumigatus keratitis of the eye in a mouse model. Read More

Cell Cycle 2019 Feb 20;18(3):274-287. Epub 2019 Jan 20.

a Department of Ophthalmology , The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University , Dalian , P. R. China.

Fungal keratitis is a relatively common ocular disease requiring positive medical management combined with surgical intervention. Interleukin-17 (IL-17) was reported to promote the activation and mobilization of neutrophile granulocyte to foci of inflammation. This study investigated the effect of IL-17 production from Th17 cells on the progression of fungal keratitis. Read More

Case Rep Ophthalmol Med 2018 10;2018:4856019. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, Milano, Italy.

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of corneal cross-linking window absorption (CXL-WA) as an adjuvant therapy for keratitis.

Methods: A 90-year-old male came to our clinic complaining of hyperemic conjunctivitis and progressive visual loss in the right eye. Slit-lamp examination showed keratic precipitates, severe corneal opacity, and stromal edema. Read More

Klin Monbl Augenheilkd 2019 Jan 7. Epub 2019 Jan 7.

Universitätsklinik für Augenheilkunde, Inselspital, Bern, Schweiz.

Background: Infectious keratitis is a serious corneal disease and may lead to permanent visual deterioration if not treated rapidly and effectively. In order to determine possible changes in the spectrum of pathogens over time, we evaluated the pathogenic organisms of keratitis at a university hospital in Switzerland, comparing two time periods within a decade.

Methods: In this retrospective study, 417 patients with the clinical diagnosis of bacterial or fungal keratitis in 2006/07 and 2015/16 were enrolled. Read More

Br J Ophthalmol 2019 Jan 5. Epub 2019 Jan 5.

School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Queensland, Australia.

Aims: To estimate the incidence of culture-positive microbial keratitis in Queensland and analyse trends in the organisms and their sensitivities cultured from corneal scrapes, especially low-incidence organisms.

Methods: Retrospective multicentre case series of all positive corneal scrapes in Queensland, Australia between 2005 and 2015. Pathology organisations in Queensland were identified by online and local directory search and agreed to participate. Read More

J Infect Public Health 2018 Dec 29. Epub 2018 Dec 29.

Cornea, Cataract & Refractive Surgery Services, Dr. R. P. Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.

Introduction: To analyse the fungal culture results of patients with fungal keratitis over sixteen years and look for variations in the trends over years and distribution across ages, gender and seasons.

Materials And Methods: Clinical and demographic records and microbiology reports of 18,898 patients of fungal keratitis from 2001 to 2016 were analysed.

Results: Overall fungal culture positivity was 21. Read More

Vet Microbiol 2019 Jan 12;228:7-11. Epub 2018 Nov 12.

Wildlife Ecology & Health Group - Servei d' Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra 08193, Spain; UAB, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA, IRTA-UAB), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra 08193, Spain.

Mycoplasma conjunctivae is an obligate microparasite that causes Infectious Keratoconjunctivitis (IKC) in Caprinae species. IKC is a long-recognised disease, but little attention has been paid to the mechanisms of transmission of the mycoplasma and its occurrence in locations other than the eyes. In this study, the presence of M. Read More

Beilstein J Org Chem 2018 14;14:3059-3069. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551.

Antibiotic resistance threatens effective treatment of microbial infections globally. This situation has spurred the hunt for new antimicrobial compounds in both academia and the pharmaceutical industry. Here, we report how the widely used antitumor drug cisplatin may be repurposed as an effective antimicrobial against the nosocomial pathogen . Read More

Surv Ophthalmol 2018 Dec 24. Epub 2018 Dec 24.

Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Infectious Disease Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Electronic address:

Microbial keratitis (MK) is a potentially blinding condition which must be treated emergently to preserve vision. Although long recognized as a significant cause of corneal blindness, our understanding of its true global scale, associated burden of disease, and etiological patterns remains somewhat limited. Current epidemiological data suggests that MK may be epidemic in parts of the world--particularly within South, South-East and East Asia--and may exceed two million cases per year world-wide. Read More

Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther 2018 Dec 23. Epub 2018 Dec 23.

Departamento de Analises Clinicas, Toxicologicas e Bromatologicas, Faculdade de Ciencias Farmaceuticas de Ribeirao Preto, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP 14040-903, Brazil. Electronic address:

Fusarium keratoplasticum and Fusarium moniliforme are filamentous fungi common in the environment and cause mycosis in both animals and plants. Human infections include mycetoma, keratitis and onychomycosis, while deeper mycosis occurs in immunocompromised patients. Most of the Fusarium spp. Read More

Indian J Ophthalmol 2019 Jan;67(1):150-152

Cornea and Anterior Segment Service, L. V. Prasad Eye Institute, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India.

A 55-year-old lady developed a corneal ring infiltrate following trauma with a wooden stick. 10% KOH mount of corneal scrapings revealed septate hyaline fungal filaments. White feathery colonies with shiny black dots grew on potato dextrose agar. Read More

Indian J Ophthalmol 2019 Jan;67(1):49-53

Jhaveri Microbiology Centre, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.

Purpose: To report the distribution and trends of types of organisms and antibiotic susceptibility of the bacterial isolates obtained from patients with microbial keratitis.

Methods: Microbiology records of culture-positive microbial keratitis that underwent a diagnostic corneal scraping and cultures were reviewed. Fungal, bacterial, and parasitic culture results and antibiotic susceptibility profile of bacteria were analyzed and comparisons were made between two halves of the study period (2007-2010 vs. Read More

Indian J Ophthalmol 2019 Jan;67(1):42-47

Department of Cornea and Refractive Surgery Services, Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.

Purpose: To study the demographic profile, clinical features, treatment outcome, and ocular morbidity of microbiologically proven Pythium keratitis in South India.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of clinical records of microbiologically proven Pythium keratitis at a tertiary eye care referral center in South India from January 2016 to November 2017 was performed. Demographic details, predisposing risk factors, microbiological investigations, clinical course, and visual outcome were analyzed. Read More

Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2018 Dec;59(15):5993-6002

Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, United States.

Purpose: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the leading cause of contact lens-associated bacterial keratitis. Secreted bacterial proteases have a key role in keratitis, including the P. aeruginosa small protease (PASP), a proven corneal virulence factor. Read More

Ophthalmology 2018 Dec 17. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Jhaveri Microbiology Centre, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India.

BMJ Case Rep 2018 Dec 3;11(1). Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Microbiology, Aravind Eye Hospital Coimbatore, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.

The oomycete and the protozoan can cause fulminant and recalcitrant keratitis, respectively. These infections are not only sight-threatening but can also threaten the structural integrity of the eye. A high index of suspicion is required to identify keratitis given its uncommon occurrence. Read More

Br J Ophthalmol 2018 Dec 18. Epub 2018 Dec 18.

Corneal Service, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK

Purpose: To compare the incidence of fungal infection after endothelial keratoplasty (EK) when donor tissue had been stored in hypothermic medium or organ culture.

Methods: We describe the clinical features of 10 cases of fungal infection (keratitis or endophthalmitis) following EK identified at three European centres. Case definition was the culture of fungus or a positive PCR from the host cornea or anterior chamber after EK. Read More

Medwave 2018 Dec 18;18(8):e7388. Epub 2018 Dec 18.

Proyecto Epistemonikos, Santiago, Chile; Departamento de Oftalmología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile. Email: Address: Centro Evidencia UC, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Diagonal Paraguay 476, Santiago, Chile.

Introduction: Infectious keratitis of fungal origin mainly affects people in tropical and subtropical countries, and is an important cause of preventable blindness. Topical antifungals, particularly natamycin and voriconazole, are considered effective, but it is not clear which one is the best treatment alternative.

Methods: We searched in Epistemonikos, the largest database of systematic reviews in health, which is maintained by screening multiple information sources, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, among others. Read More

J Proteomics 2019 Feb 15;193:62-70. Epub 2018 Dec 15.

Department of Proteomics, Aravind Medical Research Foundation, Aravind Eye Care System, Dr. G. Venkataswamy Eye Research Institute, No:1 Anna Nagar, Madurai, TN, India. Electronic address:

Fungal keratitis is a serious, potentially sight-threatening corneal infection that is more prevalent in the tropical parts of the world including India, and A. flavus and Fusarium solani are the predominant etiological agents. The surface of fungal conidia is covered by hydrophobin family proteins, effectively masking the conidial antigens from immune cells. Read More

J Biosci 2018 Dec;43(5):835-856

Jhaveri Microbiology Centre, Prof. Brien Holden Eye Research Centre, L. V. Prasad Eye Institute, Kallam Anji Reddy campus, Hyderabad 500 034, India.

Dysbiosis, or imbalance in the gut microbiome, has been implicated in auto-immune, inflammatory, neurological diseases as well as in cancers. More recently it has also been shown to be associated with ocular diseases. In the present study, the association of gut microbiome dysbiosis with bacterial Keratitis, an inflammatory eye disease which significantly contributes to corneal blindness, was investigated. Read More

Interdiscip Perspect Infect Dis 2018 13;2018:2525173. Epub 2018 Nov 13.

Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA.

is a gram-positive, facultatively anaerobic pathogen that can cause severe infections such as pneumonia, meningitis, septicemia, and middle ear infections. It is also one of the top pathogens contributing to bacterial keratitis and conjunctivitis. Though two pneumococcal vaccines exist for the prevention of nonocular diseases, they do little to fully prevent ocular infections. Read More

Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2019 Jan 30;257(1):135-141. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

Department of Ophthalmology, Rigshospitalet-Glostrup, University of Copenhagen, Glostrup, Denmark.

Purpose: Donor-to-host transmission of infectious agents is a rare but well-recognised complication of corneal transplantation and may carry a grave visual prognosis. In this case series, we describe the clinical features and risk factors of using culture-positive donor corneas for transplantation.

Methods: Retrospective chart review of a series of patients who underwent either penetrating keratoplasty (PK) or Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) with positive microbiology cultivation during routine assessment of donor corneal tissue obtained at the time of surgery. Read More

Oman J Ophthalmol 2018 Sep-Dec;11(3):213-219

Department of Ophthalmology, Al-Nahdah Hospital, Muscat, Oman.

Objective: The objective of this study is to describe the epidemiology, risk factors, etiology, and outcome of microbial keratitis in a tertiary care center in Muscat, Oman.

Methods: The electronic records of all patients diagnosed with keratitis or corneal ulcer between January 2013 and January 2016 in Al-Nahdha Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who presented with a corneal ulcer requiring admission and who underwent culture and sensitivity studies were included in the study. Read More

Can J Ophthalmol 2018 Dec 10;53(6):568-573. Epub 2018 Apr 10.

Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alta.. Electronic address:

Objective: To study indications for penetrating keratoplasty (PK) at a single site. The trends in the causative organisms for infectious keratitis requiring surgery were also evaluated.

Design: Retrospective observational study. Read More

Med Mycol 2018 Nov 29. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Mycology Unit, Medical School and IISPV, University Rovira i Virgili, C/ Sant Llorenç 21, 43201 Reus, Spain.

Although there have been few reports of opportunistic infections (superficial and systemic) caused by coelomycetous fungi, they are becoming more frequent. Neocucurbitaria keratinophila (formerly Pyrenochaeta keratinophila), characterized by producing pycnidial conidiomata and small hyaline conidia, seems to be an emergent opportunistic pathogen in Spain. Since this fungus was first reported from human keratitis, eight strains have been isolates from clinical cases in Spain. Read More

PLoS One 2018 28;13(11):e0208163. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Department of Ophthalmology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.

To investigate the clinical characteristics, treatment, risk factors of occurrence and graft transparency of corneal epithelial defects after penetrating keratoplasty in patients with infectious keratitis. 594 patients (594 eyes) with infectious keratitis treated by penetrating keratoplasty at Shandong Eye Institute were reviewed retrospectively between January 2008 and January 2018. We investigated the demographic data, diameter and sources of graft, onset time, location, scope, time of healing and treatment of epithelial defects, as well as other postoperative complications and graft clarity. Read More

J Ocul Pharmacol Ther 2019 Jan/Feb;35(1):6-22. Epub 2018 Nov 8.

1 Department of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi.

Polyenes and azoles constitute 2 major drug classes in the antifungal armamentarium used to treat fungal infections of the eye such as fungal keratitis, endophthalmitis, conjunctivitis, and blepharitis. These classes of drugs have come to occupy an important niche in ophthalmic antifungal therapy due to their broad spectrum of activity against a variety of filamentous and yeast-like fungi. Natamycin suspension (Natacyn), a polyene antifungal drug, is currently the only US FDA-approved formulation for treating ophthalmic fungal infections, whereas the other polyene and azole antifungals such as amphotericin B, fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, voriconazole, and posaconazole are routinely used off-label in the clinical setting. Read More

J Ophthalmic Vis Res 2018 Oct-Dec;13(4):383-391

Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology Centre, Faculty of Science, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat, India.

Purpose: To develop an infectious keratitis model using caprine (goat) corneas and to investigate the expression of virulence factors during infection.

Methods: Goat eyes were surface-sterilized and dissected, and the corneas were placed on an agarose-gelatin solid support (0.5% in phosphate-buffered saline) in a 12-well culture plate containing 10% fetal bovine serum-supplemented culture medium for 3 weeks. Read More

Parasit Vectors 2018 Nov 26;11(1):604. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.

Background: Acanthamoeba spp. can cause serious human infections, including Acanthamoeba keratitis, granulomatous amoebic encephalitis and cutaneous acanthamoebiasis. Cysteine biosynthesis and the L-serine metabolic pathway play important roles in the energy metabolism of Acanthamoeba spp. Read More

J Ophthalmic Inflamm Infect 2018 Nov 20;8(1):21. Epub 2018 Nov 20.

Smt. Kanuri Santhamma Center for Vitreoretinal Diseases, Kallam Anji Reddy Campus, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500034, India.

Aim: To describe the clinical presentations and management outcomes of Kocuria endophthalmitis and discuss diagnostic dilemmas DESIGN: Retrospective interventional comparative case series INTERVENTION: Eight unilateral cases with culture-proven Kocuria endophthalmitis from January 2013 to December 2017 underwent vitrectomy/vitreous biopsy and intravitreal antibiotic with or without additional procedures. The undiluted vitreous was subjected to microbiologic evaluation.

Main Outcome Measures: The mean age at presentation, etiology, number of interventions, interval between inciting event and presentation, type of intravitreal antibiotic used, and anatomic and functional outcomes were reported. Read More

Med Mycol 2018 Nov 16. Epub 2018 Nov 16.

Clinic for Birds and Reptiles, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.

Biotyper analysis of Nannizziopsis guarroi, a fatal fungal pathogen in lizards, was described recently. Hypocrealean fungal infections in captive reptiles appear with an increasing frequency during the last decade. Therefore, the aim of this study was to proof Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) as diagnostic tool for the identification of reptile pathogenic hypocrealean fungi. Read More

F1000Res 2018 31;7. Epub 2018 Oct 31.

Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA.

Infection with herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2 is ubiquitous in the human population. Most commonly, virus replication is limited to the epithelia and establishes latency in enervating sensory neurons, reactivating periodically to produce localized recurrent lesions. However, these viruses can also cause severe disease such as recurrent keratitis leading potentially to blindness, as well as encephalitis, and systemic disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. Read More

Ocul Surf 2019 Jan 12;17(1):119-133. Epub 2018 Nov 12.

School of Optometry, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA; Graduate Group in Vision Science, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA; Graduate Groups in Microbiology, Infectious Diseases & Immunity, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA. Electronic address:

Purpose: Contact lens wear carries a risk of complications, including corneal infection. Solving these complications has been hindered by limitations of existing animal models. Here, we report development of a new murine model of contact lens wear. Read More

J Infect Chemother 2019 Feb 10;25(2):96-103. Epub 2018 Nov 10.

Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University, Aomori, Japan.

Diaporhte species are plant pathogens rarely involved in human diseases, especially eye diseases. We report our findings in two undescribed Diaporhte species. Both were identified by their morphological characteristics and by DNA sequence analyses. Read More

Cornea 2019 Feb;38(2):238-242

Department of Ophthalmology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan.

Purpose: Fungal keratitis can be difficult to medically treat. Topical antifungals are usually applied empirically as the initial option in treating fungal keratitis. Natamycin (NAT) and/or voriconazole (VRCZ) have been widely used in the treatment of fungal keratitis. Read More

Cornea 2019 Feb;38(2):146-150

Ophthalmic Research Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Purpose: To investigate the rate and agents of contamination in bandage soft contact lenses fitted for management of persistent corneal epithelial defects.

Methods: This prospective comparative case series enrolled 57 consecutive eyes fitted with bandage contact lenses for treatment of persistent corneal epithelial defects. The lenses were collected at the time of epithelial closure or when it was necessary to exchange contact lenses and were immediately placed in sterile tubes containing an enriched thioglycolate liquid medium. Read More

Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2019 Jan 21;63(1). Epub 2018 Dec 21.

Department of Ophthalmology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA

and are two of the most common causes of bacterial keratitis and corresponding corneal blindness. Accordingly, such infections are predominantly treated with broad-spectrum fluoroquinolones, such as moxifloxacin. Yet, the rising fluoroquinolone resistance has necessitated the development of alternative therapeutic options. Read More

Arq Bras Oftalmol 2019 Jan-Feb;82(1):2-5. Epub 2018 Nov 1.

Departamento de Oftalmologia, Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade Estadual de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.

Purpose: To determine whether a correlation exists between pathogenic species and clinical findings, disease severity, and visual outcome in patients with keratitis and fungal growth in microbiological culture.

Methods: A retrospective study of patients with fungal growth in the microbiological culture of corneal scrapings. Patients were treated at an ophthalmologic reference center in Southeastern Brazil from January 1992 to October 2015. Read More

Int J Pharm 2018 Dec 26;553(1-2):386-397. Epub 2018 Oct 26.

Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy Cairo University, Kasr El Einy St., 11562 Cairo, Egypt.

Sertaconazole nitrate (STZ) is a poorly soluble antifungal drug commonly used for treating fungal skin infections. Introducing it as a new treatment option for the management of fungal keratitis, requires the development of a delivery system capable of targeting the infected cornea with an adequate STZ concentration. Hence, Sertaconazole nitrate loaded cubosomes (STZ-CUBs) were prepared, characterized and optimized based on a 3 central composite face-centred design. Read More

J Infect 2018 Dec 31;77(6):561-571. Epub 2018 Oct 31.

PHE UK National Mycology Reference Laboratory, Science Quarter, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, United Kingdom.

Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2019 Jan 18;173:725-732. Epub 2018 Oct 18.

Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil. Electronic address:

Acanthamoeba keratitis is an ophthalmic disease with no specific treatment that specially affects contact lens users. The silencing of serine phosphatase (SP) and glycogen phosphorylase (GP) proteins produced by Acanthamoeba has been shown to significantly reduce the cytopathic effect, although no vehicle was proposed yet to deliver the siRNA sequences to the trophozoites. In this study, PEGylated cationic liposomes were proposed and optimized using Box-Behnken design. Read More

Jpn J Infect Dis 2018 Oct 31. Epub 2018 Oct 31.

Section of Microbiology. University Hospital of Guadalajara.

Infectious keratitis is a serious ocular infection that can lead to loss of vision. The aim of the study was to investigate the microbiological characteristics of this infection at the University Hospital of Guadalajara (Spain). We retrospectively reviewed all cases diagnosed between January 2010 and December 2016. Read More