Search PubMed⌕ Search
Home/Archive/PubMed

PubMed · 7219965

Amoebic keratitis.

A Hamburg·J F De Jonckheere
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

A 67-year-old man with chronic keratitis was treated with a multitude of antibiotics, corticosteroids and other medicines. Despite temporary relief, perforation with iris prolapse occurred about 4 months after the initial symptoms, and the eye had to be removed. Histological examination revealed cystic bodies in the corneal stroma which could be identified as belonging to the genus Acanthamoeba. Trophozoites were seen as well. Although these amoebae are free-living organisms, occurring almost everywhere in the water and air, corneal infections are rare and have been reported only recently. It has been suggested that Acanthamoebae may only invade the tissues in the case of mixed infections or in corneas with a reduced immunological response, e.g. after corticosteroid therapy. Conservative therapy seems to have little effect, although antibiotic/antiviral/antimycotic treatment should supplement antiamoebic therapy, considering the possibility of mixed infections. Penetrating keratoplasty was indicated in most of the reported cases and usually had a beneficial effect.

Explore related subjects

Adrenal Cortex HormonesAgedAmebiasisAnti-Bacterial AgentsEukaryotaHumansKeratitisMaleCase ReportsJournal Article

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

A Hamburg, J F De Jonckheere. 1980. Amoebic keratitis.. https://doi.org/10.1159/000309030

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

PubMed1998

Severe hyperglycemia in an HIV clinic: preexisting versus drug-associated diabetes mellitus.

We determined the frequency and clinical nature of severe hyperglycemia in a university clinic for HIV-1-infected patients. The medical records of 1392 adult HIV-infected patients were reviewed for cases of severe hyperglycemia, defined as two or more serum glucose values >250 mg/dl or diabetes treatment during clinic care. Demographic information, family histories of diabetes mellitus, body weights, CD4+ lymphocyte counts, and use of corticosteroids, megestrol acetate, pentamidine, or didanosine were recorded for subjects meeting the case definition. Comparisons were made between preexisting diabetic (group 1) and incident hyperglycemic cases (group 2). Less than 2% of the total clinic population experienced severe hyperglycemia: 12 in group 1 and 13 in group 2. Group 2 had lower body weights (mean, 70.6 kg versus 90.0 kg; p < 0.05) and more advanced HIV disease (mean CD4 count, 79/mm3 versus 550/mm3; p < 0.05) than group 1. Group 2 cases had evidence of drug-associated hyperglycemia; four cases demonstrated hyperglycemia coinciding with large fluctuations in weight during megestrol therapy. Among megestrol recipients, cases did not differ from noncases in demographics, weight, or CD4 count. Severe hyperglycemia is uncommon in adult HIV-infected patients. Approximately one half of these patients have preexisting diabetic conditions; many of the remainder may have drug-induced hyperglycemia, especially as a result of corticosteroids or megestrol acetate.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1998

Diagnosis and clinical course of autoimmune neutropenia in infancy: analysis of 240 cases.

Primary autoimmune neutropenia (AIN) is caused by granulocyte-specific autoantibodies and occurs predominantly in infancy. Clinical presentation and diagnosis have not been well established, resulting in burdening diagnostic investigations and unnecessary treatment with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). In the present study, clinical, laboratory, and immunologic data of 240 infants with primary AIN were evaluated. Suspected association with parvovirus B19 infection was investigated using serologic and DNA-based methods. Primary AIN was mainly diagnosed at the age of 5 to 15 months but was observed as early as day 33 of life. In 90% of the cases, AIN was associated with benign infections despite severe neutropenia. Spontaneous remission, shown by 95% of the patients, usually occurred within 7 to 24 months. Autoantibodies in the patient's sera were not always present, and screening had to be repeated several times until antibody detection succeeded. About 35% of the autoantibodies showed preferential binding to granulocytes from NA1 and NA2 homozygous donors. Bone marrow was typically normocellular or hypercellular, with a variably diminished number of segmented granulocytes. A significant association with parvovirus B19 infection was not found. Symptomatic treatment with antibiotics was sufficient in most patients. Eighty-nine percent of the patients received antibiotics (cotrimoxazole) for prophylaxis of infections. For severe infections or for surgical preparation, G-CSF, corticosteroids, and intravenous IgG were administered, resulting in increased neutrophil counts in 100%, 75%, and 50% of the patients treated, respectively. In combination with the detection of granulocyte-specific antibodies, the typical clinical picture allowed diagnosis of AIN without burdening investigations. Treatment with G-CSF was found to be a reliable alternative to temporarily increase the neutrophil count.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1998

Effects of chronic exposure to low doses of trichloroethylene on steroid hormone and insulin levels in normal men.

The aim of this study was to examine the serum levels of insulin and some adrenal steroid hormones in men chronically exposed to low doses of trichloroethylene (TCE). A total of 85 workers participated in this study. Each worker had urine collected and analyzed for trichloroacetic acids (UTCA) on the same day that a blood sample was taken for analyses of serum testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), androstenedione, cortisol, aldosterone, and insulin. The mean concentration of environmental TCE was 29.6 ppm and the mean UTCA was 22.4 mg/g creatinine (range 0.8-136.4). TCE exposure did not cause any significant changes to the adrenal steroid hormone productions. The results showed that UTCA was significantly correlated to serum insulin levels. Insulin and SHBG responded in tandem, with the highest levels found in workers exposed to TCE for less than 2 years; levels of both parameters were significantly lowered in those exposed for more than 2 years. A triphasic response in insulin levels to TCE, which depended on the duration of exposure, was noted. Initial exposure caused an acute rise in insulin levels. This was followed by a fall to normal levels in those exposed 2-4 years and then a slight rise in those exposed for more than 6 years. The mechanism for this pattern of response to TCE exposure is yet unknown.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗