Population genetics and molecular xenomonitoring of Biomphalaria freshwater snails along the southern shoreline of Lake Malawi, Malawi.

Background: Intestinal schistosomiasis was confirmed endemic in Mangochi District, Malawi, in May of 2018 following an unexpected encounter with discreet populations of Biomphalaria spp. freshwater snails during routine malacological surveillance activities. Since then, only limited malacological surveillance of Biomphalaria has been carried out, and so the distribution of Biomphalaria populations in this area is currently unclear.

Revealing caprine schistosomiasis and its One Health importance in Malawi: A molecular epidemiological investigation augmented with a praziquantel treatment and GPS animal tracking pilot sub-study.

To shed first light on caprine schistosomiasis and its zoonotic potential in Malawi, we conducted a molecular epidemiological investigation, sampling goats ( = 230) across three districts, using faecal miracidia hatching test. Molecular genotyping of miracidia later revealed the prevalence of to be 0.0 % in Nsanje District ( = 30), 16.

Phase I DAVIO Trial: EYP-1901 Bioerodible, Sustained-Delivery Vorolanib Insert in Patients With Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Purpose: To evaluate safety and tolerability of EYP-1901, an intravitreal insert containing vorolanib, a pan-VEGF receptor inhibitor packaged in a bioerodible delivery technology (Durasert E™) for sustained delivery, in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) previously treated with anti-VEGF therapy.

Design: Phase I, multicenter, prospective, open-label, dose-escalation trial.

Participants: Patients with wAMD and evidence of prior anti-VEGF therapy response.

Screen Failures in Clinical Trials in Retina.

Purpose: Disparities in clinical trials are a major problem because of significant underrepresentation of certain gender, racial, and ethnic groups. Several factors including stringent eligibility criteria and recruitment strategies hinder our understanding of retinal disease. Thus, we aimed to study the various reasons of screen failures and specific patient and study characteristics among screen failures.

Development, validation, and pilot application of a high throughput molecular xenomonitoring assay to detect and other trematode species within freshwater snail hosts.

Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by infection with parasitic trematodes of the genus that can lead to debilitating morbidity and mortality. The World Health Organization recommend molecular xenomonitoring of spp. freshwater snail intermediate hosts of to identify highly focal intestinal schistosomiasis transmission sites and monitor disease transmission, particularly in low-endemicity areas.

Pegcetacoplan for the treatment of geographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration (OAKS and DERBY): two multicentre, randomised, double-masked, sham-controlled, phase 3 trials.

Background: Geographic atrophy is a leading cause of progressive, irreversible vision loss. The objectives of OAKS and DERBY were to assess the efficacy and safety of pegcetacoplan compared with sham treatment in patients with geographic atrophy.

Methods: OAKS and DERBY were two 24-month, multicentre, randomised, double-masked, sham-controlled, phase 3 studies, in which patients aged 60 years and older with geographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration were enrolled at 110 clinical sites and 122 clinical sites worldwide, respectively.

CENTRAL RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION ASSOCIATED WITH USE OF AMYL NITRITE "POPPERS".

Purpose: To report a case of central retinal vein occlusion in a young patient after the use of amyl nitrate "poppers."

Methods: Description of the patient's clinical history, ophthalmic examination, retinal imaging, and treatment.

Results: A 38-year-old man presented with a central retinal vein occlusion in his right eye after inhaling amyl nitrite "poppers.

Evaluation of a self-imaging SD-OCT system designed for remote home monitoring.

Purpose: To compare identification rates of retinal fluid of the Notal Vision Home Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) device (NVHO) when used by people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) to those captured by a commercial OCT.

Methods: Prospective, cross-sectional study where patients underwent commercial OCT imaging followed by self-imaging with either the NVHO 2.5 or the NVHO 3 in clinic setting.

Subretinal Fluid Resolution and Visual Acuity in Patients with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A HARBOR Post Hoc Analysis.

Objective: To determine the effect of subretinal fluid (SRF) resolution on visual acuity in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) from the HARBOR trial.

Design: Post hoc analysis of the HARBOR trial (a phase 3, double-masked, randomized, active treatment-controlled trial of ranibizumab conducted between July 2009 and August 2012 [NCT00891735]) was carried out from January 2020 to July 2021.

Participants: Treatment-naive patients with nAMD and active subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (N = 1097).

Efficacy and safety of brolucizumab versus aflibercept in eyes with early persistent retinal fluid: 96-week outcomes from the HAWK and HARRIER studies.

Objective: Post-hoc analysis to compare the outcomes of brolucizumab 6 mg vs. aflibercept 2 mg in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) patients with early persistent retinal fluid in HAWK and HARRIER.

Methods: After 3 monthly loading doses, brolucizumab-treated eyes (N = 730) received injections every 12 weeks (q12w) or q8w if disease activity was detected.

Hygiene in early childhood development centres in low-income areas of Blantyre, Malawi.

Diarrhoeal disease remains a leading cause of death in children in sub-Saharan Africa, attributed to environmental health factors such as inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and food hygiene. This formative study in low-income areas of Blantyre focussed on the practices in Early Childhood Development Centre (ECDCs) environments where children spend a significant amount of time. A mixed-methods approach was applied to identify key hygiene behaviours in ECDCs through; checklist and structured observations ( = 849 children; n = 33 caregivers), focus group discussions (= 25) and microbiological sampling ( = 261) of drinking water, food handler's hands, and eating utensils.

PRPH2-Associated Macular Dystrophy in 4 Family Members with a Novel Mutation.

Peripherin-2 (PRPH2) gene variants are a well-established cause of multiple inherited maculopathies including central areolar choroidal dystrophy (CACD) and pattern dystrophy. In this familial case study, we present a 63-year-old proband who presented with visual acuity of 20/63 right eye and 20/100 left eye with a complaint of lowered visual acuity in the left eye for unknown duration. Fundus examination presented with unifocal atrophic lesions bilaterally.

HIGH-RESOLUTION SPECTRAL-DOMAIN OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY OF MULTIPLE EVANESCENT WHITE DOT SYNDROME.

Purpose: To evaluate a patient with multiple evanescent white dot syndrome with multimodal imaging including high-resolution spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.

Methods: The patient was evaluated with wide-field color and autofluorescence imaging, microperimetry, and near-infrared imaging. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography was performed using an instrument capable of 3- μ m axial resolution, the high-resolution Heidelberg Spectralis.

Early Experience With Brolucizumab Treatment of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Importance: Outcome data are limited regarding early experience with brolucizumab, the most recently approved anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agent for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

Objective: To report clinical outcomes after intravitreous injection (IVI) of brolucizumab, 6 mg, for nAMD.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This retrospective case series conducted at 15 private or academic ophthalmological centers in the United States included all consecutive patients with eyes treated with brolucizumab by 6 retina specialists between October 17, 2019, and April 1, 2020.

An outbreak of intestinal schistosomiasis, alongside increasing urogenital schistosomiasis prevalence, in primary school children on the shoreline of Lake Malawi, Mangochi District, Malawi.

Background: Intestinal schistosomiasis was not considered endemic in Lake Malawi until November 2017 when populations of Biomphalaria pfeifferi were first reported; in May 2018, emergence of intestinal schistosomiasis was confirmed. This emergence was in spite of ongoing control of urogenital schistosomiasis by preventive chemotherapy. Our current study sought to ascertain whether intestinal schistosomiasis is transitioning from emergence to outbreak, to judge if stepped-up control interventions are needed.

Choroidal Melanoma Simulating Adenoma of the Retinal Pigment Epithelium Arising at the Site of Congenital Hypertrophy of the Retinal Pigment Epithelium.

Neoplasms of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) are rare tumors that can simulate choroidal melanoma, but clinical and imaging characteristics often differentiate these lesions. We report a 70-year-old male with an abruptly elevated pigmented lesion that arose at the site of congenital hypertrophy of the RPE and demonstrated associated exudation, as well as feeding and draining vessels, suggestive of RPE adenoma. Optical coherence tomography showed retinal elevation with serous retinal detachment adjacent to the mass, and ultrasonography revealed an abruptly elevated, moderately echodense mass of 6.

CLOSURE OF SMALL MACULAR HOLES USING VITRECTOMY SURGERY WITH INTERNAL LIMITING MEMBRANE PEELING WITHOUT THE USE OF INTRAOCULAR GAS TAMPONADE: BROADENING THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE MACULAR HOLE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY.

Purpose: To determine whether small macular hole closure can be achieved with 25-G vitrectomy surgery with internal limiting membrane peeling without the use of intraocular gas tamponade or facedown positioning.

Methods: 25-G vitrectomy surgery with internal limiting membrane peeling without the use of intraocular gas tamponade or positioning was performed on 20 eyes with a small (<400-µm diameter), full-thickness macular hole.

Results: In 17 of 20 eyes (85%), the hole had closed.