Cancer cells use heat shock proteins (HSP) to stabilize growth/survival-associated client proteins such as receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), in vivo. Our recent work suggests that chemical HSP90 inhibitors combined with a vaccination strategy targeting HSP90 client proteins that are (over)expressed in the tumor microenvironment yields superior therapeutic benefit.

Purpose

To compare clinical findings and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in affected and fellow eyes of patients with unilateral pseudoexfoliation (PXF) syndrome with that of bilateral cases.

Methods

This cross-sectional study enrolled 91 subjects with PXF including 32 unilateral and 59 bilateral cases. Subjects with elevated intraocular pressure or findings suggestive of glaucoma were excluded. RNFL thickness and optic nerve head profile were studied in all eyes using the RNFL and optic nerve head analysis OCT protocol. Clinical and OCT features were compared in affected and unaffected eyes of unilateral PXF subjects to bilateral cases.

Results

Bilateral cases with PXF were older (P<0.01) and had thinner RNFL (P=0.04) than unilateral cases. From a total of 32 unilateral PXF cases, 7 subjects demonstrated RNFL thinning in the clinically normal fellow eye; all of these eyes had evidence of pupillary ruff atrophy on slit lamp examination in the absence of evident exfoliation material in the eye. Similar ruff atrophy with RNFL thinning was seen in 38 of 59 bilateral and in 16 of 32 unilateral cases. Pupillary ruff atrophy predicted RNFL thinning with sensitivity of 88.9% (95% CI, 73-96.7%) and 79.2% (95% CI, 74-84.5%) in bilateral and unilateral cases respectively, with low specificity of 45.8% (95% CI, 33.9-51.7%) and 45.5% (95% CI, 22.9-68.8%) in the same order.

Conclusion

Patients with bilateral PXF have significantly thinner RNFL as compared to unilateral cases. Iris sphincter abnormality, clinically detected as pupillary ruff atrophy, may reflect early glaucomatous damage; however the specificity of this sign for predicting RNFL thinning is low.

Background

To report atypical features on Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in a case of non-familial pure adult nanophthalmos.

Case presentation

A 39 year old male hyperope was found to have biometric and fundus findings typical of nanophthalmos. The additional atypical features included serous pigment epithelial detachment (PED) in right eye and a cuff of subretinal fluid with underlying yellow deposits along superotemporal arcade in the left eye. Fundus flourescein angiogram showed hyperfluorescence due to window defect, dye pooling due to serous PED in right eye and leak superior to disc in right eye and superotemporally in left eye. Cirrus-SD OCT horizontal line scan passing through the fovea showed extensive inner limiting membrane corrugations causing distorted foveal contour in both eyes. A large juxtafoveal serous PED and a small extrafoval PED were seen with folds in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-choriocapillary layer in the right eye.

Conclusion

Structural disruptions in the RPE-choriocapillary complex in the form of folds or juxtafoveal serous PED and RPE folds can be atypical features of nanophthalmic macula better discerned on high resolution OCT.

Purpose. We herein report a patient with bilateral congenital total iris sphincter agenesis with no other abnormality detected on systemic examination. Methods. A 24-year-old laborer presented to us for a routine checkup with complaint of photophobia and inability to work under sunlight. Examination revealed bilateral absence of sphincter and 6.5 mm pupil in both eyes in the undilated state. Results. Accommodation was poor in both eyes. Systemic examination was within normal limits. He was prescribed bifocal photochromic glasses for constant wear. Conclusions. Congenital sphincter agenesis can occur in an isolated form without systemic abnormalities which can be managed conservatively.

Summary

Trabeculectomy for treatment of glaucoma associated with Sturge-Weber syndrome has a poor success rate. We report the presence of anomalous vessels over the trabeculectomy bleb in a patient with Sturge-Weber syndrome after trabeculectomy combined with mitomycin.

Identification of new immunogenic antigens that diagnose initial Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) alone or as an adjunct to microbiology is needed. In the present study, a proteomic analysis was performed to obtain a global assessment of the host immune response during the initial P. aeruginosa infection of patients with CF. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry was used to identify outer membrane protein L (OprL), a non-type III secretion system (TTSS) protein, as an early immunogenic protein during the initial P. aeruginosa infection of patients with CF. Longitudinal Western blot analysis of sera from 12 of 14 patients with CF detected antibodies to OprL during the initial P. aeruginosa infection. In addition, also detected were antibodies to ExoS, ExoU, or ExoS and ExoU, the latter indicating sequential P. aeruginosa infections during initial infections. Detection of serum reactivity to OprL, along with proteins of the TTSS, and in conjunction with microbiology may diagnose initial P. aeruginosa infections in patients with CF.

Aim:

To evaluate the applicability and efficacy of superficial keratectomy with transplantation of preserved amniotic membrane in superficial corneal degenerations in a rural population of Northern India in terms of visual improvement and surface regularization.

Settings:

Peripheral referral center in rural north India.

Materials and Methods:

This was a prospective non-comparative interventional case series where 24 eyes of 20 farmers from peripheral rural areas (M:F = 19:1) with visually significant superficial degenerative disorders (15 eyes with climatic droplet keratopathy one of which was associated with Salzmann nodular degeneration and nine eyes with band-shaped keratopathy) were subjected to amniotic membrane transplantation (single or multiple layer) combined with superficial keratectomy. Subjective and objective outcomes after surgery were evaluated and analyzed and statistical significance of the outcomes in various disorders was evaluated.

Results:

Eighty-eight per cent (21 eyes) had symptomatic relief from distressing preoperative symptoms while postoperative visual improvement by two or more lines was achieved in 23 eyes (96%) over a mean follow-up period of 26.8 ± 10.2 months. The surface irregularity present preoperatively was relieved in 23 cases while postoperative decline of vision with visually significant scarring was seen in one case (4%), which was labeled as failure.

Conclusions:

Amniotic membrane transplant with superficial keratectomy helped achieve subjective comfort, visual rehabilitation and clinical regularization of the corneal surface in superficial corneal degenerations during the mean followup of 26.8 ± 10.2 months in rural setups.

A rare case of sudoriferous cyst of the orbit occurring in an adult, who had facial trauma, is reported. Several factors suggest its adult onset. The only other case reported in an adult is of presumed childhood origin. Very few congenital cases have been reported. A 65-year-old lady presented with recent onset of left-sided ptosis and a painless mass below the left supraorbital margin. The patient had traumatic ptosis after a road traffic accident 13 years ago. The ptosis was surgically repaired, which resulted in symmetrical palpebral apertures. Computed tomographic scan revealed a well-defined cystic mass in the anterior orbit. The mass was removed in toto by anterior orbitotomy. Histopathological examination revealed a single cyst lined by double-layered cuboidal epithelium in some areas and transitional epithelium at others. A periodic acid Schiff (PAS) positive, diastase-resistant glycocalyx lined the inner epithelium. Apical snouting suggested an apocrine nature. This confirmed a diagnosis of sudoriferous cyst.

Background

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disease that is predominantly seen in the Caucasian population and involves multiple organs. Traditionally it has been thought that the kidney is the only organ which does not seem to be generally affected by the disease although the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene is expressed in the kidney.

Case presentation

We report the case of an 11 year old boy with cystic fibrosis and nephrotic syndrome and review the literature that describes nephrotic syndrome and renal involvement in cystic fibrosis.

Conclusion

With continued advances in the management of cystic fibrosis and improvement in life expectancy, several unrecognized co-morbidities are expected to emerge. It is important to screen patients for possible co-morbidities. Urine analysis may be helpful in this group of patients and any proteinuria should raise the suspicion of cystic fibrosis-related renal disease.