Comparison of clinical and microbiological profiles in smear-positive and smear-negative cases of suspected microbial keratitis.

Purpose: To examine the hypothesis that initial smear examination results have a significant bearing on the management and outcome of suspected microbial keratitis.

Materials And Methods: One hundred and seventy consecutive patients with suspected microbial keratitis were included in a prospective nonrandomized comparative study and their detailed clinical and microbiological data (smears and cultures of corneal scrapings) were captured on a predesigned corneal ulcer database. Patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 included 68 patients with corneal scrapings negative in smears while Group 2 included 102 patients with corneal scrapings positive in smears.

Is the cystatin-like domain of TSL functionally active in external ocular infections and during the normal diurnal cycle?

Purpose: To test whether the cystatin-like functional domain in tear specific lipocalin (TSL) is functionally active in tears during the normal diurnal cycle and during external ocular infections.

Methods: Capillary tube collected reflex (RTF), open (OTF) and closed (CTF) eye tear samples were recovered from six normals and semi-quantitatively western blot assayed for cystatin C and TSL. CTF samples were immunoprecipitated with antibodies raised against TSL, cystatin C and other antiproteases and screened for the co-precipitation of proteases by casein and gelatin zymography.