Search PubMedSearch

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Blepharitis”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Ulcerative blepharitis in atopic patients--is Candida species the causative agent?

A total of 50 patients suffering both from atopic skin disease and different clinical forms of blepharitis have been included in this study. Microbiological investigations (for bacteria and fungi) of the lid margins were performed in all cases. In 21 (42%) of the patients an ulcerative blepharitis which heavily involved the follicles of the lashes was diagnosed. The remaining 29 cases presented with blepharitis of the squamous type. The cultures revealed that 19 of the 21 patients with ulcerative blepharitis were found to grow Candida species, whereas fungi could not be detected in any of the other cases of blepharitis. The frequencies of concomitant bacterial organisms found in the cultures were similar in both groups. As atopic patients are known to exhibit a defect in their cell-mediated immunity and possibly also a defective IgA antibody response it is a widely accepted assumption that these immunological changes are contributing factors to the development of a localised inflammation of the lids which is initiated by a variety of micro-organisms. We postulate that when Candida species happen to coincide with severe inflammation in atopic patients a blepharitis of the ulcerative type will develop or deteriorate thereby implying that these microorganisms may play an important role in the development or deterioration of this severe chronic inflammation. It is therefore advisable to perform repeated scrapings and cultures in every case of recalcitrant blepharitis.

Adult

Meibomian gland dysfunction in chronic blepharitis.

We examined 57 patients with symptoms of chronic blepharitis using meibomian gland expression, meibography, tear osmolarity, and the Schirmer's test. We also performed meibography on 20 normal patients free of chronic blepharitis. We found that 42 blepharitis patients (74%) had evidence of meibomian gland loss, whereas only four of 20 normal patients (20%) had any gland dropout. We performed cluster analysis on the data from the patients with blepharitis and found that these patients tended to fall into distinct groups with clinically relevant characteristics. We also found that tear osmolarity correlated positively with gland dropout (+0.413) and negatively with excreta volume (-0.499). This study demonstrates that an objective analysis of meibomian gland function may be used to assess chronic blepharitis and define subsets of blepharitis with measurable differences. It also supports the significance of meibomian gland dysfunction on tear osmolarity and the evaporative state of the eye.

Adult

Lid flora in blepharitis.

The microbiologic evaluations of 332 consecutive patients with the primary diagnosis of chronic blepharitis were reviewed and compared to those of 160 control patients. The most commonly isolated organisms from lids with blepharitis were Staphylococcus epidermidis (95.8%), Propronibacterium acnes (92.8%), Corynebacterium sp. (76.8%), Acinetobacter sp. (11.4%), and Staphylococcus aureus (10.5%). Compared to controls, S. epidermidis (p less than 0.01), P. acnes (p less than 0.02), and Corynebacterium sp. (p less than 0.001) were present significantly more often. S. aureus and the isolation of more than one microbial species were not more common in blepharitis patients. Quantitatively, heavy growth, by total and individual species, was significantly more common in blepharitis patients (total, p less than 0.001; S. epidermidis, p less than 0.001, P. acnes, p less than 0.001). These data demonstrate that patients with blepharitis are more likely to have normal skin bacteria on their lids and in greater quantities than nonblepharitis patients.

Bacteria

Blepharitis--a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. A report on 407 consecutive cases.

Over the last few years the number of patients with chronic bilateral blepharitis has increased dramatically. From January 1985 until the end of 1989, a total of 407 patients with this diagnosis underwent ophthalmological and dermatological investigations at our out-patient clinic. Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) in conjunction with blepharitis occurred in 14.5% of the patient population who also suffered from acne rosacea. A comparison of the spectrum of microorganisms that have previously been isolated from affected sites with data obtained in the present study revealed that the range of microorganisms associated with this chronic localized inflammation has apparently shifted in recent years. The prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus, which was considerable in the pre-antibiotic era, has markedly decreased, although a distinct entity of staphylococcal blepharitis seems to remain, either alone or in combination with seborrheic blepharitis (62.8% of our patients). The clinical picture, microbiological findings and therapy for this condition are presented.

Adolescent

Ketoconazole in the treatment of blepharitis.

A double masked, placebo controlled clinical trial, of topical 2% ketoconazole cream with lid hygiene, for the treatment of seborrhoeic and mixed seborrhoeic/staphylococcal blepharitis was conducted. Forty patients with symptomatic blepharitis, 20 randomly allocated to ketoconazole, 20 to placebo were entered. Treatment efficacy was assessed by improvement of symptoms using visual analogue scales, appearance of the eyelids and reduction in numbers of pityrosporum yeasts on the eyelids. Both groups showed a similar reduction in symptoms, and signs of inflammation. The overall clinical impression in the ketoconazole group was better at week five than in the placebo group. Sixty nine per cent were either normal or markedly improved, as compared to 42% in the placebo group, although this was not statistically significant (p less than 0.1, one-sided Mann-Whitney). Pityrosporum numbers were reduced significantly in both groups during the treatment period. Ketoconazole was no better than placebo at improving the symptoms of blepharitis. More ketoconazole treated patients had normal or markedly improved lids after treatment than the placebo group. Pityrosporum yeasts may play a role in blepharitis, and treatment with an antifungal has some advantages over conventional therapy.

Adult

Giant papillary conjunctivitis and meibomian gland dysfunction blepharitis.

In this prospective pilot study we saw 42 consecutive giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC) patients (80 eyes), all of whom were found to have some meibomian gland dysfunction blepharitis. Severity of GPC at presentation correlated with severity of meibomian gland dysfunction blepharitis (Kendall's tau b averaged 0.246 across the adjusted statistical analyses). Thirty-two patients (63 eyes) were refit after treating meibomian gland dysfunction blepharitis. Twenty-eight of these patients (55 eyes; 87%) continue to wear contact lenses, maintaining an improvement in GPC (mean follow-up 21 months; range 11-36 months). We hypothesize that meibomian gland dysfunction blepharitis may play a role in the pathogenesis of GPC and suggest that a large, controlled, multi-observer study be performed to further investigate this possible association.

Adolescent

Role of staphylococcal toxin production in blepharitis.

Lid isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) from controls (12 S. aureus and 110 CNS) and from patients with blepharitis (17 S. aureus and 171 CNS) were tested for production of alpha, beta, delta, epsilon, and previously undescribed hemolytic toxins, because toxin production has been implicated as a cause of blepharoconjunctivitis. The electrolyte content of agar media required for toxin production was first investigated. Alpha-lysin was found to be produced by all isolates of S. aureus colonizing lids of normal controls and patients with blepharitis, but by none of 281 CNS isolates. A new toxin was identified, having low molecular weight (5 kd), produced by one CNS strain isolated from a blepharitic lid. It was produced on basic nutrient agar that lacked sodium but contained glucose, which inhibited production of alpha-lysin. It hemolyzed rabbit and sheep erythrocytes and, surprisingly, was neutralized by polyclonal antiserum to alpha-lysin. This may explain occasional reports of alpha-lysin production by CNS. The overall results do not support a hypothesis of hemolytic toxin production by staphylococci as a general cause of blepharitis.

Bacterial Toxins

Blepharitis.

Blepharitis is an acute or chronic inflammatory process involving the eyelids that is frequently associated with conjunctivitis. In its many clinical forms, blepharitis is one of the most common diseases seen by ophthalmologists; yet it remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. This article reviews the clinical presentation, classification, diagnosis, etiology and pathogenesis, and treatment of blepharitis.

Blepharitis

[Unilateral chronic granulomatous blepharitis as a leading symptom of Oriental cutaneous leishmaniasis in Germany. Giesma stain as rapid diagnosis and initial description of systemic therapy with gamma-interferon].

Nine months after leaving the Lebanon, a four-year-old immigrant boy presented with a 5 months history of blepharitis. The lesion remained therapy-resistant for aminoglycoside antibiotics. Six months later, the patient presented with an indolent granulomatous necrotizing purulent blepharitis and follicular conjunctivitis. Diagnosis was made by Giemsa stain and histopathology, which revealed amastigotes in macrophages consistent with the diagnosis of oriental cutaneous leishmaniasis. Therapy with systemic recombinant gamma Interferon, which is described for the first time in this disease entity, resulted in a successful primary healing of the cutaneous lesion. Self-healing epithelial keratitis was the only side-effect observed. Ophthalmologists in Germany should be aware of the differential diagnosis of oriental cutaneous Leishmaniasis in patients suffering from chronic granulomatous lid lesions of patients from countries endemic/epidemic for Leishmaniasis. Laboratory diagnosis is simple. Insights into the immunology of infection have made possible novel therapeutic avenues using gamma-Interferon being effective without serve side-effects and allowing for a good primary healing of the cutaneous lesions.

Biopsy

Effect of I-Scrub on signs and symptoms of chronic blepharitis.

To assess the effect of I-Scrub (Spectra Pharmaceutical Services), a new detergent eyelid scrub, on the subjective symptoms and objective clinical signs of chronic blepharitis, 20 patients with this disease were treated for three weeks. None of them yielded positive cultures for virulent bacteria from the eyelids and conjunctiva. Most of the patients reported significant reduction in the subjective symptoms and in the severity of the clinical signs as well. No adverse effects were observed. The results of our study suggest that this product is of value as a detergent eyelid scrub in the treatment of chronic blepharitis.

Aged

Chronic blepharitis: easy nursing interventions for a common problem.

1. Blepharitis is a chronic, usually bilateral, inflammation of the eyelid margins. It is a lifelong condition, difficult to eradicate, and requires constant vigilance to restrain its irritating manifestations. 2. Treatment includes elimination of the scale caking the eyelids and eyebrows; removal of the offending bacteria, the materials they grow on, and the debris they leave; and healing the affected areas. 3. Scrupulous eye hygiene along with good handwashing habits will keep most cases of blepharitis under control. Contact lens wearers must be careful of cross-contamination between eye, lens, lens solutions, or lens cases, and cosmetics should be used properly and with care.

Blepharitis

Staphylococcal blepharitis.

A detailed discussion of various aspects of staphylococcal blepharitis is presented. These include epidemiology, pathogenesis and immunity, microbiologic characteristics, clinical signs, associated systemic diseases, differential diagnosis, and treatment.

Anti-Bacterial Agents

Recurrent herpetic angular blepharitis in an adult.

A 36-year-old man had several episodes of left angular blepharoconjunctivitis associated with upper respiratory infections, herpes labialis, or emotional stress. The clinical diagnosis had always been a blepharitis of bacterial origin. During the last attack, cytologic examination of a scraping obtained from an eyelid pustule vesicle revealed multinucleated keratinocytes, diagnostic of a herpetic infection. Virologic studies proved that herpes simplex virus type 1 was the causal agent.

Adult

Role of cell-mediated immunity to staphylococci in blepharitis.

We studied cell-mediated immunity to staphylococcal antigens in 116 patients with chronic blepharitis and eight normal subjects. Antibodies in tears and blood were measured. Enhanced cell-mediated immunity to Staphylococcus aureus was demonstrated in 46 of 116 patients (40%) in the absence of antibodies to teichoic acid but not among normal subjects. Symptoms of grittiness and morning stickiness were more frequent among patients without enhanced responses. Folliculitis occurred more commonly among patients with enhanced immunity. Marginal keratitis occurred equally among patients with and without enhanced systemic immunity, but patients with enhanced response more commonly required topical corticosteroid therapy. Desensitization to staphylococcal antigens could be investigated as a potential therapeutic approach in selected patients.

Adult

The masked rat. An X-ray induced mutant with chronic blepharitis, alopecia, and pasteurellosis.

An autosomal recessive mutation had been previously X-ray-induced in the rat and named the masked rat (genotype mk/mk). This study describes the mutant's appearance, histology, and microflora. The rat's eyelids were swollen, often to the point of closure, and its face was partially covered by a brownish crust, giving the mutant a mask-like appearance. The chronic blepharitis was also accompanied by alopecia that appeared as bare patches across the mutant's back. Pasteurella pneumotropica was found in eyelids and on skin from all masked rats. The normal rat demonstrated a resistance to Pasteurella pneumotropica infection, or, conversely, the masked rat appeared to be genetically predisposed to pasteurellosis.

Alopecia

Efficacy and safety of mercuric oxide in the treatment of bacterial blepharitis.

A double-masked, placebo-controlled, randomized study was done to assess the safety and clinical and quantitative microbiologic efficacy of 1% mercuric oxide (yellow) ophthalmic ointment in the treatment of eyelid infections, i.e., bacterial blepharitis. A total of 39 patients with bacterial counts and clinical signs indicative of eyelid infection were treated twice daily for 7 days. Clinical biomicroscopic examination and quantitative microbiologic cultures were done just prior to initiation of treatment and again on days 3 and 7. Statistical analysis revealed a significant improvement in the clinical signs, bacterial count, cure rate, and improvement rate for subjects taking the active medication, compared with those taking the placebo on days 3 and 7. In addition, the medication was well tolerated.

Adult

Tear cholesterol levels in blepharitis.

The tear levels of cholesterol of 17 patients with chronic blepharitis and 17 healthy subjects were determined by the photometric method. The mean cholesterol level of the patients was determined to be 56.1 +/- 8.9 (SEM) mg/dl. No statistically significant difference between the tear cholesterol levels of the two groups could be detected.

Adult

Chronic blepharitis: easy clinical interventions for a common problem.

Poor hygienic practices exacerbate blepharitis and impede successful resolution. Contact lens management and use of cosmetics are two frequent areas where simple interventions yield good results. Symptoms may include irritation, itching, burning, tearing, photophobia, and foreign body sensation. Treatment is the same for all causes and has the goal of removing offending irritants.

Aged