Topic

#infection

16 articles
  1. Articles 7 Oct 2021 6 min read

    Normal flora /Microbiome of the Eye: 10 Facts

    1. Definition of Microbiome Microbiomes are communities of organisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses) that normally reside on any part of the human body (both external and internal) and are in a symbiotic relationship with the host. The members of the microbiome live in close harmony, sharing food and shelter and offering benefits to each other, e.g. some members give protection by secreting extracellular polymeric substances to form a protective covering of biofilm around the community, while some excrete metabolic by-products which are useful substrates for the others. 2. Relation of Microbiome with the host Most of the organisms of the microbiome provide support to the good health of the host (like preventing colonization by harmful pathogens by competing for shelter and food niches, occupying the pathogen receptor sites, or secreting antibiotics and metabolic by-products like acetic and lactic acids which harm such pathogens). But some of the members can also act as opportunistic pathoge

    Dr. Sanchita Mitra
  2. Articles 4 Aug 2021 10 min read

    How to Present a Case of Corneal Ulcer in the Examination

    1. Obtain a detailed history : a. A history of injury and the injuring agent - some pointers from this would be the occurrence of fungal infections in injuries with vegetable matter/insect wing cases; bacillus infections in patients with broomstick injuries; gram-positive infections with metal foreign bodies and so on b. A history of past such similar episodes - typically, this suggests the possibility of viral infections c. History of contact lens use - in such cases, while there is the possibility of a sterile infiltrate, especially if such infiltrates are present at 3 and 9 o? clock periphery, it is imperative to keep in mind serious infections such as pseudomonas d. Prior treatment history - obtain a detailed history of the name of antibiotic used, the frequency of use suggested, and the compliance of the patient with therapy. Failure to respond to adequate dose and duration of appropriate antibiotics suggests the possibility of a fungal or parasitic infection. e. Pain, discharge,

    Dr. Srinivas K Rao, DO DNB FRCSEd
  3. Articles 1 Jun 2021 10 min read

    Ten Microbiological Facts on Mucormycosis All Ophthalmologists Should Know

    The present overview highlights major microbiological aspects of mucormycosis and attempts to increase the awareness of this ubiquitous group of fungi that are responsible for the difficult-to-manage infections presently being encountered in the setting of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 1. What is Mucormycosis and why is mucormycosis emerging as a serious threat in the present COVID-19 pandemic? Mucormycosis (previously called zygomycosis; sometimes called black fungus infection) is a serious, but rare fungal infection caused by a group of molds belonging to the order Mucorales(1). Mucormycosis is a fulminant disease with high rates of morbidity and mortality that mainly affects immunocompromised patients. Depending on the location of the infection, the mucormycosis can be rhino-orbito-cerebral (most common), pulmonary, gastrointestinal, cutaneous, or disseminated. Although it has a low incidence rate, varying from 0.005 to 1.7 per million population, a sudden rise in cases of rhino-or

    Dr. A.R Anand
  4. Students Gallery 27 May 2021 12 min read

    i-File: COVID-19 associated Mucormycosis

    A 53-year-old female presented to the emergency with chief complaints of drooping of the left eyelid for 3 days and sudden loss of vision in the left eye for 2 days. History of Present Illness: The patient was recovering from COVID-19 infection prior to presentation when she noticed a sudden, rapidly progressive drooping of the left eyelid over 3 days duration. It was associated with the limitation of extraocular movements. Loss of vision was sudden, associated with pain, and fullness around the eye. She had a history of the left-sided nasal block along with altered sensation over the left cheek for 1 day. She had no history of fever, toothache, trauma, hospitalization, or intake of steroids. Past Ocular History: Underwent cataract surgery in both eyes 2 years back. Past Medical History/ History of Medication: She tested COVID positive 2 weeks prior to the current presentation and was advised home quarantined. CT chest score was 3, and spO2 was maintained throughout the quarantine peri

    Dr. Nisar Sonam Poonam, M.S.(ophthal), F.M.R.F (Orbit & Oculoplasty)
  5. Articles 1 Apr 2021 22 min read

    Bacterial Endophthalmitis - Where We Stand ?

    Endophthalmitis is a potentially devastating condition of intraocular procedures. It is an inflammation of internal coats of the eye along with inflammation of intraocular cavities i.e. aqueous and vitreous humour that occur as a result of intraocular colonization of microorganisms. It is one of the most feared complications of cataract extraction and other intraocular surgeries. Rarely, infectious endophthalmitis is the presenting feature of an underlying systemic infection. The incidence of endophthalmitis has sharply declined within two to three decades because of variations in surgical technique, scrupulous asepsis, and use of preoperative and post-operative broad-spectrum antibiotics. Classification Of Endophthalmitis: General categories include postoperative endophthalmitis (acute, delayed-onset, conjunctival filtering–bleb associated, glaucoma drainage devices associated), posttraumatic endophthalmitis (blunt or penetrating ocular trauma, foreign bodies), endophthalmitis associa

    Dr. Sugandha Goel · Dr. Ekta Rishi
  6. Articles 1 Apr 2021 20 min read

    Acanthamoeba Keratitis: A review for the Postgraduates

    Eye diseases affecting the cornea are a major cause of blindness worldwide. Among different infectious agents, bacteria, fungi, viruses and protozoans may be causes of keratitis. This article is about the keratitis caused by protozoa. Three amoebic parasites are thought to be significant to human disease, entamoeba which is responsible for amoebic dysenter, naegleria which causes amoebic meningoencephalitis and acanthamoeba which is known for causing keratitis and granulomatous amoebic encephalitis. Acanthamoeba is a ubiquitous, free living protozoa of the subphyla Sarcodina. It is considered as opportunistic pathogen in humans. Acanthamoeba keratitis is a potentially devastating corneal infection which can lead to severe visual loss. Epidemiology: Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK), is rare in the general population (estimated incidence: 1.4 per million person- year) but much frequent in contact lens wearers. The incidence of the disease in developed countries is approximately 1-33 cases per

    Dr. Hema Joshi, MBBS, DO, DNB
  7. Articles 1 Apr 2021 39 min read

    Fungal Keratitis: A Review for the Post-Graduates

    Introduction Fungal or mycotic keratitis is a leading cause of ocular morbidity, opacification and preventable blindness.1 The approximate annual incidence of fungal keratitis in India is said to be 11.3/10,000 population.2 Frequently it is caused by filamentous fungi (Aspergillus, Fusarium, Curvularia) in the tropical areas, while in temperate regions it is predominantly caused by Candida species (C. albicans, C. Parapsilosis). It is considered as one of the most difficult forms of microbial keratitis for the Ophthalmologist to diagnose and manage. Medical therapy alone is often inadequate and surgical therapy like therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty, conjunctival flap, lamellar keratoplasty or cryotherapy is required for control of infection. Epidemiology and Demographics Fungal keratitis incidence or prevalence is more in tropical regions of the world like India and Southern USA and is less commonly encountered in the temperate zones.3 In East India, fungal keratitis was found to b

    Dr. Ankit Anil Harwani · Dr. Meena Lakshmipathy
  8. Articles 1 Apr 2021 7 min read

    Panophthalmitis: A Ready Reckoner for Postgraduates

    Introduction Panophthalmitis is a severe ocular and orbital condition which can lead to phthisis bulbi or may necessitate evisceration. Severe inflammation of the anterior and posterior segments is frequently accompanied by microbial keratitis, necrotizing scleritis, and perforation or rupture following trauma. The disease develops rapidly and the prognosis is poor. The management of patients with intractable panophthalmitis remains challenging with eye salvage almost impossible in most cases. Etiology and Pathogenesis Panophthalmitis is a purulent inflammation of all coats of the eyeball including intraocular structures. Although post-traumatic endophthalmitis is the most common preceding event, the infection can result after postoperative endophthalmitis following cataract surgery, keratoplasty, or rarely after posterior segment procedures. It can also be caused by septicemia or can spread from a pus-producing infection in another part of the body. [Table 1] Organisms implicated incl

    Dr. Namrata Adulkar
  9. Articles 1 Apr 2021 20 min read

    Fungal Endophthalmitis and it's Management

    Endophthalmitis is a potentially devastating ocular disease that may lead to permanent loss of vision. It is caused by bacteria in the majority of the cases. However, fungal endophthalmitis though rare has a poor prognosis and usually diagnosed late. The incidence of fungal endophthalmitis has increased in recent years, particularly in developing countries. 1-3 Unlike bacterial infections, we do not have much choice of medications in fungal infections. The fungus is slow-growing and we have limited choice of antifungals which act slowly. These are usually diagnosed late as patients are less symptomatic but have more signs. Moreover, fungal culture takes longer time and identification requires more expertise. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques can even detect dead remnants. Patients are usually treated as bacterial infections and would have received steroids before they are diagnosed to have fungal endophthalmitis. The prognosis of fungal endophthalmitis depends on the magnitude

    Dr. Sugandha Goel · Dr. Ekta Rishi
  10. Articles 1 Apr 2021 16 min read

    Herpetic Eye Disease Study: All You Should Know

    Herpes simplex virus (HSV) keratitis is the leading cause of corneal blindness in developed as well as developing countries. The ocular disease affects approximately 10 million people worldwide. Herpes viruses are a group of double-stranded DNA viruses with three subfamilies: alpha-, beta- and gamma- herpes viruses. HSV-1, HSV-2, and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) belong to the alpha-subfamily. HSV spreads by direct contact with virus shed by saliva or genital secretions. During primary infection, HSV-1 infiltrates the corneal epithelial cells. Here it lyses the host cells and releases virions which in turn infect neighboring cells. Then the HSV travels via neuronal cells to trigeminal ganglion and establishes a latent infection. HSV can remain latent for lifetime by storing its genome in the nucleus of the host neuronal cell. While latent, it produces latency-associated transcripts (LATs) that maintain the integrity of the viral genome. The latent HSV-1 can reactivate and return to the

    Dr. Hema Joshi, MBBS, DO, DNB

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