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Introduction The eye consists of both internal and external compartments. Several variables, including microbes, dust, and high temperatures can cause eye illnesses that can result in blindness. Bacterial eye infections continue to be a major cause of ocular morbidity and blindness, and their prevalence is periodically rising. The objective of the study was to detect bacterial pathogens and assess their susceptibility profiles to antibiotics in the ophthalmology unit of Boru-meda Hospital in Dessie, Ethiopia. Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 1 to April 30, 2021, among 319 study participants with symptomatic ocular or peri-ocular infections who were enrolled using a consecutive sampling technique. After proper specimen collection, the specimen was immediately inoculated with chocolate, blood, and MacConkey agar. After pure colonies were obtained, they were identified using standard microbiological methods. The Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method was used to test antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, based on the guidelines of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Results The majority of participants developed conjunctivitis 126 (39.5%), followed by blepharitis 47 (14.73%), and dacryocystitis 45 (14.1%). Overall, 164 (51.4%) participants were culture positive, six (1.9%) participants had mixed bacterial isolates, giving a total of 170 bacterial isolates with an isolation rate of 53.3%. The predominant species was CoNS 47 (27.6%), followed by S. aureus 38 (22.4%) and Moraxella species 32 (18.8%). The overall Multi-Drug Resistance (MDR) rate was 62.9%, with 33 (44.6%) being gram-negative and 74 (77.1%) being gram-positive isolates. Conclusion Conjunctivitis was the dominant clinical case and CoNS, was the predominant isolate. A higher rate of MDR isolates, particularly gram-positive ones, was observed. Efficient peri-ocular or ocular bacterial infection surveillance, including microbiological laboratory data, is necessary for monitoring disease trends.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding, regulatory RNA molecules and constitute a newly recognized, important layer of gene-expression regulation at post-transcriptional levels. miRNAs quantitatively fine tune the expression of their downstream genes in a cell type- and developmental stage-specific fashion. miRNAs have been proven to play important roles in the normal development and function as well as in the pathogenesis of diseases in all tissues and organ systems. miRNAs have emerged as new therapeutic targets and biomarkers for treatment and diagnosis of various diseases. Although miRNA research in ocular infection remains in its early stages, a handful of pioneering studies have provided insight into the roles of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of parasitic, fungal, bacterial, and viral ocular infections. Here, we review the current status of research in miRNAs in several major ocular infectious diseases. We predict that the field of miRNAs in ocular infection will greatly expand with the discovery of novel miRNA-involved molecular mechanisms that will inform development of new therapies and identify novel diagnostic biomarkers.

Although microbial culture remains the gold standard for diagnosis of many ocular infections, the technique is limited by low yield, inability to detect certain organisms, and potentially long delays for results. DNA-based molecular diagnostic techniques use detection of specific nucleic acid sequences as evidence for presence of suspected pathogens. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a powerful molecular biology technique that allows for detection of fewer than 10 copies of pathogen genome. Recent technical advances in PCR have permitted quantitation of pathogen load using quantitative PCR and have permitted multiplexing of primer sets. Use of pan-bacterial and pan-fungal primers for ribosomal DNA sequences has allowed diagnosis of bacterial and fungal infections using molecular techniques. In this review, we highlight recent advances in the application of PCR to the diagnosis of anterior segment and posterior segment ocular infectious diseases.

Background Bacteria are the major contributor of ocular infections worldwide. Ocular infections, if left untreated, can damage the structures of the eye with possible blindness and visual impairments. This work was aimed to review the bacterial profile of ocular infections. Methods Literature search was made in different electronic databases; the review was systematically made to get concrete findings. Results As far as this review, Staphylococcus aureus , Coagulase negative Staphylococci , Streptococcus pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are the leading isolates in ocular infections. Frequent pathogens of the respective clinical diagnose include Staphylococci , Streptococcus pyogenes and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in blepharitis; Staphylococci , Streptococus pneumoniae , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli in Conjunctivitis; Staphylococci , P. aeruginosa and E . coli in dacryocystitis; Coagulase negative Staphylococci , Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus in keratitis; Streptococcus viridians , Streptococcus pneumoniae and Coagulase negative Staphylococci in endophthalmitis diagnoses. Endogenous endophthalmitis is associated with Klebsiella pneumoniae whereas Coagulase negative Staphylococci and Bacillus spp. are common causes of post-operative and post-traumatic endophthalmitis. However, the predominant pathogens may not be exactly same in all areas of the world, in the United States for instance, Staphylococcus aureus , Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae are the major causes of conjunctivitis. Conclusion Gram positive bacteria are the major contributor of bacterial ocular infections. The distribution and proportion of bacterial isolates among clinical diagnoses varied but without exclusive anatomical restriction. To mitigate the burden of bacterial ocular infections, physicians should regard on risk reduction and comply with etiologic approach of diagnosis.

Nematodes of the Onchocercidae family, such as Pelecitus spp., are filarial parasites of medical and veterinary importance. Although infections are widely distributed among avian species, only 2 cases of human Pelecitus ocular infection, both in South America, have been reported. We describe a 61-year-old man in northeast Thailand diagnosed with an ocular infection. Morphologic characteristics suggested the causative agent was a female Pelecitus nematode: coiled body, rounded anterior and posterior extremities, a distinct preesophageal cuticular ring, lateral alae, a postdeirid, and a protuberant vulva. Sequences of the 12S rDNA gene indicated 95%-96% identity and cox1 gene 92%-96% identity with published P. copsychi sequences. P-distance for cox1 sequences between the causative agent and P. copsychi was 6.71%. Phylogenetic trees of 12S rDNA and cox1 genes indicated the species differed from but is closely associated with P. copsychi. Healthcare providers should be aware of the threat of ocular infection from Pelecitus spp. nematodes.

We investigated the time-dependent ocular surface bacterial colonisation of sedated patients hospitalised in an intensive care unit and aimed to evaluate whether proper topical antibiotic prophylaxis could prohibit corneal infection. The study lasted 12 months and included 134 patients undergoing sedation and mechanical respiratory support for various medical reasons. Patients hospitalised for less than seven days and those with pre-existing ocular surface pathology were excluded. All patients were examined on admission by inspecting the cornea for erosions. Follow-up examinations were performed each subsequent day. Cultures were also obtained from the conjunctival sac of both eyes on admission and every seventh day until the end of sedation. Standard laboratory techniques were used for isolation, identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing of bacteria. Antibiotic treatment for prophylaxis was administered accordingly. Analysis was carried out for 70 patients. Duration of sedation ranged from seven to 122 days. Fifty-four (77%) patients were colonised by at least one bacterial species other than normal flora within seven to 42 days. Multiple bacteria were isolated from 28 patients undergoing prolonged sedation. Prevalent isolates were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter spp. and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Infectious keratitis was prohibited in all cases. Ocular surface of long-term sedated patients was found to be colonised by various bacterial species and their isolation was closely associated with the time period of hospitalisation. The results of this study suggest that the early identification of ocular surface bacteria colonisation and the administration of topical antibiotics for prophylaxis can prohibit corneal infection in these patients.

Treatment of ocular infection involves pharmacotherapy with steroids and antibiotic drops, such as moxifloxacin hydrochloride (MFH) and dexamethasone sodium phosphate (DSP). To characterize the pharmacokinetics of these two compounds, we performed and validated a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method to quantify them in rabbit ocular tissues and plasma. We used protein precipitation to extract the compounds. The analyte and internal standard (IS) were separated using a Shim-pack Scepter C18 column. The mobile phase was composed of 0.1% formic acid water (A) and methanol (B). MFH and DSP were detected using positive ion electrostatic ionization (ESI) in multiple reaction monitoring mode (MRM). The calibration curves for both compounds showed good linearity over concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 200 ng/mL in rabbit ocular tissues and plasma. The lower limit of quantification for both MFH and DSP was 0.5 ng/mL. We validated this method for selectivity, linearity (r2 > 0.99), precision, accuracy, matrix effects, and stability. Thus, we used this method to assess the pharmacokinetic (PK) characteristics of MFH and DSP in rabbit ocular tissues and plasma after single doses. Our results indicate that this method can be used for the simultaneous analysis of moxifloxacin hydrochloride and dexamethasone sodium phosphate in clinical samples.

Since the initial outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), extensive research has emerged from across the globe to understand the pathophysiology of this novel coronavirus. Transmission of this virus is a subject of particular interest as researchers work to understand which protective and preventative measures are most effective. Despite the well understood model of aerosol-respiratory mediated transmission, the exact mechanism underlying the inoculation, infection and spread of COVID-19 is currently unknown. Given anatomical positioning and near constant exposure to aerosolized pathogens, the eye may be a possible gateway for COVID-19 infection. This critical review explores the possibility of an ocular-systemic or ocular–nasal–pulmonic pathway of COVID-19 infection and includes novel insights into the possible immunological mechanisms leading to cytokine surge.

Purpose Chemical injuries of the eye remain a serious cause of visual disability. The current literature is reviewed, with a focus on recent studies that inform evidence-based treatment decisions. Recent Findings Prevention continues to be a primary goal. In addition to conventional therapy (urgent irrigation, topical corticosteroids and antibiotics, oral vitamin C, possibly doxycycline and topical antioxidants), there is evidence that amniotic membrane, umbilical cord serum, or platelet-rich plasma may improve epithelial healing rates in moderate to severe burns. Reconstruction of the ocular surface continues to evolve; for unilateral disease, simple limbal epithelial transplant (SLET) is gaining momentum. For bilateral total limbal stem cell deficiency, treatment options include allogeneic keratolimbal allograft, ex vivo expansion of cultured epithelial sheets, and keratoprosthesis; each intervention represents a unique balance of risks and benefits. Summary SLET appears to be simple and effective for unilateral limbal stem cell deficiency secondary to chemical injuries. The treatment of bilateral injuries requires additional studies to define the preferred practice patterns, as there is no clear consensus regarding the preferred intervention.

The goal of this study was to establish quantitative approaches to analyze immune cell markers in HSV-1-infected intact corneas and trigeminal ganglia from primary and latently infected mice. This allowed us to define spatial and temporal interactions between specific immune cells and their potential roles in virus replication and latency. To accomplish this important goal, we took advantage of the utility of GFP-McKrae virus as a valuable research tool while also highlighting its potential to uncover previously unrecognized cell types that play pivotal roles in HSV-1 replication and latency. Such insights will pave the way for developing targeted therapeutic approaches to tackle HSV-1 infections more effectively.