Relentless Headaches and Syncope: A Case of Neuropsychiatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in a Pediatric Male Patient.

Childhood systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) is a rare multisystem autoimmune disease with considerable morbidity as it has been typically reported to be more severe than in adults. Neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE) is the second leading cause of lupus-related morbidity in the pediatric age group, mostly occurring within the first year of onset, but may develop at any time. It can present with a range of vague specific neurologic manifestations which can be challenging to diagnose.

Assessment of corneal vessels activity through the 'Barcode sign' of corneal OCT.

Background/objectives: Anterior segment optical Coherence Tomography (AS-OCT) is used extensively in imaging the cornea in health and disease. Our objective was to analyse and monitor corneal vascularisation (CVas) through the corresponding back-shadows visible on AS-OCT.

Subjects/methods: AS-OCT scans were obtained from 26 consecutive patients (eyes) with CVas of different aetiologies.

Correlation of Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography and Slit-Lamp Imaging in Infectious Keratitis.

Purpose: Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) is increasingly being used to complement slit-lamp biomicroscopy in the evaluation of corneal infections. Our purpose was to analyze, compare, and correlate the clinical signs elicited by these 2 methods in patients with infectious keratitis (IK).

Methods: Slit-lamp photomicrographs (diffuse and slit beam) and AS-OCT scans were obtained from 20 consecutive patients (21 eyes) with IK.

Microbiological culture versus 16S/18S rRNA gene PCR-sanger sequencing for infectious keratitis: a three-arm, diagnostic cross-sectional study.

Background: To compare the diagnostic performance of microbiological culture and 16S/18S rRNA gene polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-Sanger sequencing for infectious keratitis (IK) and to analyse the effect of clinical disease severity on test performance and inter-test concordance.

Methods: This was a three-arm, diagnostic cross-sectional study. We included all eligible patients who presented with presumed bacterial/fungal keratitis to the Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK, between June 2021 and September 2022.

Genetic heterogeneity of chicken anemia virus isolated in selected Egyptian provinces as a preliminary investigation.

Chicken anemia virus (CAV) is a widespread and economically significant pathogen in the poultry industry. In this study 110 samples were collected from various poultry farms in selected Egyptian provinces during 2021-2022 and were tested against CAV by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), revealing 22 positive samples with 20% incidence rate. Full sequence analysis of five selected CAV strains revealed genetic variations in VP1, VP2, and VP3 genes.

Emergence of the novel infectious bursal disease virus variant in vaccinated poultry flocks in Egypt.

Since the detection of antigenically atypical very virulent Infectious bursal disease viruses (vvIBDV) in Egypt in 1999, the country has been experiencing recurrent outbreaks with high mortality rates and typical gross lesions associated with typical vvIBDV. However, a significant change occurred in 2023, marked by a notable increase in reported subclinical IBDV cases. To evaluate the field situation, samples from 21 farms in 2023 and 18 farms from 2021 and 2022, all of which had experienced IBD outbreaks based on clinical diagnosis, were collected, and subjected to VP2-HVR sequencing.

Increasing incidence of contact-lens-related keratitis in a tertiary ophthalmology department in an Italian population.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to report the increasing incidence of contact-lens related keratitis (AK) in a tertiary ophthalmology department in Umbria, central Italy.

Methods: Observational and retrospective case series were carried out. A total of nine eyes with a diagnosis of AK were examined.

Relationship of posterior peripheral corneal layers and the trabecular meshwork: an immunohistological and anatomical study.

Background/aim: With the popularity of endothelial keratoplasty (EK) procedures, Descemet membrane (DM) EK and pre-Descemet EK, considerable work has been done on understanding the posterior corneal anatomy. Most of the information available relates to the central cornea. We evaluated the peripheral cornea to explore the immunohistological and anatomical relationship between the pre-Descemet layer (PDL), DM and trabecular meshwork (TM).

A 7-year review of clinical characteristics, predisposing factors and outcomes of post-keratoplasty infectious keratitis: the Nottingham infectious keratitis study.

Background/objectives: Post-keratoplasty infectious keratitis (PKIK) is a unique sight-threatening clinical entity which often poses significant therapeutic challenges. This study aimed to examine the clinical presentation, risk factors, management, and clinical outcomes of PKIK.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of all patients who presented to the Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, with PKIK between September 2015 and August 2022 (a 7-year period).

An approach to reduce Descemet's membrane scrolling: Relevance to Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK).

Purpose: We aimed to determine whether Descemet's membrane (DM) scrolling occurs primarily along the vertical or horizontal axis and establish whether oval trephination along the axis of least scrolling can reduce the grade of the scroll.

Methods: The longest limbus-to-limbus axis on 28 sclerocorneal discs was taken as the horizontal axis. The horizontal (n = 7) or (right angles to it) vertical (n = 6) axis was marked on DM before peeling it off.

Management of keratoconus: an updated review.

Keratoconus is the most common corneal ectatic disorder. It is characterized by progressive corneal thinning with resultant irregular astigmatism and myopia. Its prevalence has been estimated at 1:375 to 1:2,000 people globally, with a considerably higher rate in the younger populations.

Ex vivo demonstration of canine corneal pre-Descemet's anatomy using pneumodissection as for the big bubble technique for deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty.

The recent discovery and characterization of pre-Descemet's layer (PDL; also termed the Dua's layer or the Dua-Fine layer) has advanced the understanding of various posterior corneal pathologies and surgeries in human. This study aimed to characterize the ultrastructure of the posterior stroma and interfacial zone of Descemet's membrane (DM) in canine eyes. Eighteen canine corneo-scleral discs were included.

Common viral and bacterial avian respiratory infections: an updated review.

Many pathogens that cause chronic diseases in birds use the respiratory tract as a primary route of infection, and respiratory disorders are the main leading source of financial losses in the poultry business. Respiratory infections are a serious problem facing the poultry sector, causing severe economic losses. Avian influenza virus, Newcastle disease virus, infectious bronchitis virus, and avian pneumovirus are particularly serious viral respiratory pathogens.

Emergence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A Virus (H5N1) of Clade 2.3.4.4b in Egypt, 2021-2022.

Wild migratory birds have the capability to spread avian influenza virus (AIV) over long distances as well as transmit the virus to domestic birds. In this study, swab and tissue samples were obtained from 190 migratory birds during close surveillance in Egypt in response to the recent outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus. The collected samples were tested for a variety of AIV subtypes (H5N1, H9N2, H5N8, and H6N2) as well as other pathogens such as NDV, IBV, ILT, IBDV, and WNV.

The pre-Descemet's layer (Dua's layer, also known as the Dua-Fine layer and the pre-posterior limiting lamina layer): Discovery, characterisation, clinical and surgical applications, and the controversy.

The pre-Descemet's layer/Dua's layer, also termed the Dua-Fine layer and the pre-posterior limiting lamina layer, lies anterior to the Descemet's membrane in the cornea, is 10 μm (range 6-16) thick, made predominantly of type I and some type VI collagen with abundant elastin, more than any other layer of the cornea. It has high tensile strength (bursting pressure up to 700 mm of Hg), is impervious to air and almost acellular. At the periphery it demonstrates fenestrations and ramifies to become the core of the trabecular meshwork, with implications for intraocular pressure and glaucoma.

Manifestation of Herpetic Eye Disease after COVID-19 Vaccine: A UK Case Series.

Purpose: To highlight the potential risk of herpetic eye disease (HED) reactivation following COVID-19 vaccine.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of all patients who presented with HED within 28 days post-first dose COVID-19 vaccination.

Results: Eleven eyes (n = 10 patients) were included.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Fungal Keratitis in the United Kingdom 2011-2020: A 10-Year Study.

Fungal keratitis (FK) is a serious ocular infection that often poses significant diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas. This study aimed to examine the causes, clinical characteristics, outcomes, and prognostic factors of FK in the UK. All culture-positive and culture-negative presumed FK (with complete data) that presented to Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, and the Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, between 2011 and 2020 were included.

Diagnostic armamentarium of infectious keratitis: A comprehensive review.

Infectious keratitis (IK) represents the leading cause of corneal blindness worldwide, particularly in developing countries. A good outcome of IK is contingent upon timely and accurate diagnosis followed by appropriate interventions. Currently, IK is primarily diagnosed on clinical grounds supplemented by microbiological investigations such as microscopic examination with stains, and culture and sensitivity testing.

Evaluation of Host Defense Peptide (CaD23)-Antibiotic Interaction and Mechanism of Action: Insights From Experimental and Molecular Dynamics Simulations Studies.

Host defense peptides (HDPs) have the potential to provide a novel solution to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in view of their unique and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities. We had recently developed a novel hybrid HDP based on LL-37 and human beta-defensin-2, named CaD23, which was shown to exhibit good antimicrobial efficacy against in a bacterial keratitis murine model. This study aimed to examine the potential CaD23-antibiotic synergism and the secondary structure and underlying mechanism of action of CaD23.

Management of limbal stem cell deficiency by amnion-assisted conjunctival epithelial redirection using vacuum-dried amniotic membrane and fibrin glue.

Purpose: To study the outcome of a modified amnion-assisted conjunctival epithelial redirection (ACER) technique using vacuum-dried amnion (Omnigen) and fibrin glue for managing total limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD).

Method: A retrospective, interventional case series of all patients with total LSCD who underwent limbal stem cell transplant (LSCT) using the modified ACER procedure between 2016 and 2019. The outcome was defined as: (1) success: complete corneal re-epithelialisation without conjunctivalisation; (2) partial success: sub-total corneal re-epithelialisation with partial non-progressive conjunctivalisation sparing the visual axis and (3) failure: conjunctivalisation affecting the visual axis.