Twenty years of acanthamoeba diagnostics in Austria.

Acanthamoebae are the causative agents of an often seriously progressing keratitis (AK) occurring predominantly in contact lens wearers and can cause several disseminating infections potentially resulting in granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE) in the immunocompromised host. Our institution is the Austrian reference laboratory for Acanthamoeba diagnostics and the aim of this study was to give an overview of proven cases of Acanthamoeba infections in Austria during the past 20 yr. All samples of patients with suspected AK or GAE were screened for Acanthamoeba spp.

Influence of single-fraction Gamma-Knife radiosurgery on ocular surface and tear function in choroidal melanoma patients.

Aim: To evaluate ocular surface and tear function in patients with choroidal melanoma treated with single-fraction radiosurgery.

Methods: 36 patients (median age 62 years; range 26-84 years) were enrolled between 2001 and 2006 at a single institution. They were treated with the Leksell Gamma Knife in one fraction with a median dose of 30 Gy (range 25-35 Gy).

Long-term follow-up of punctal and proximal canalicular stenoses after silicone punctal plug treatment in dry eye patients.

Purpose: To determine the clinical value and relevance of punctal and proximal canalicular stenoses after punctal plug therapy in moderate to severe dry eye syndrome.

Design: Retrospective, observational case series.

Methods: Seventeen eyes were determined to have punctum or proximal canalicular stenoses after spontaneous loss of a collared silicone punctal plug.

Multiplex bead analysis of vitreous and serum concentrations of inflammatory and proangiogenic factors in diabetic patients.

Purpose: To investigate the role of inflammatory and angiogenic factors in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy, we determined, in diabetic patients and controls, vitreous and serum concentrations of interferon-induced protein (IP)-10, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha, MIP-1beta, regulated upon activation, normal T-expressed and secreted (RANTES), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

Methods: We recruited 36 probands with type 2 diabetes mellitus (15 noninsulin-dependent and 21 insulin-dependent) and 69 normal controls. Using Cytometric Bead Array Technology, we measured vitreous and serum concentrations of IP-10, MCP-1, MIP-1alpha, MIP-1beta, RANTES, and VEGF.

Application of multiplex cytometric bead array technology for the measurement of angiogenic factors in the vitreous.

Purpose: This study was carried out to compare cytometric bead array (CBA) technology with conventional enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the measurement of both vitreous and serum concentrations of interleukin-8 (IL-8), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and angiogenin (ANG) in diabetic and non-diabetic patients.

Methods: Measurement of vitreous and serum concentrations of IL-8, VEGF, and ANG using both ELISA and CBA was performed in 26 probands (13 diabetics and 13 non-diabetic control subjects).

Results: Vitreous and serum concentrations of IL-8, VEGF, and ANG determined by CBA showed a strong correlation with those measured by ELISA.

Efficacy of contact lens storage solutions against different acanthamoeba strains.

Purpose: This study was undertaken in order to determine the susceptibility of acanthamoebae to various contact lens disinfecting systems, with respect to type of disinfectant and exposure time.

Methods: Ten contact lens solutions, including one new system, were tested for their effectivities against cysts of three Acanthamoeba strains. Of main interest was an incubation time of 8 hours (overnight disinfection) and cyst quantities of 10 and 10, respectively.

Role of the CCL2/MCP-1 -2518A>G gene polymorphism in HLA-B27 associated uveitis.

Purpose: Acute anterior uveitis (AAU) is the most common form of uveitis. Up to 50% of patients with AAU are HLA-B27 positive. Since HLA B27 itself plays only a minor role in the overall genetic background, other genetic variants are likely to contribute to the susceptibility to AAU.

Evaluation of the clinical course of dry eye syndrome.

Objective: To assess subjective symptoms, tear function factors, and ocular surface morphology in the clinical course of patients with dry eye syndrome under treatment within an observation period of up to 8 years.

Methods: In 97 patients (78 women and 19 men) with ocular discomfort, a clinical diagnosis of dry eye syndrome was made based on typical symptoms and a reduced tear film breakup time of less than 10 seconds. Subsequent evaluations revealed a diagnosis of aqueous tear deficiency in 9 patients, meibomian gland dysfunction in 32 patients, and aqueous tear deficiency combined with meibomian gland dysfunction in 30 patients, aqueous tear deficiency associated with Sjögren syndrome in 12 patients, and aqueous tear deficiency and meibomian gland dysfunction associated with Sjögren syndrome in 14 patients.

A conservative blepharoplasty may be a means of alleviating dry eye symptoms.

Purpose: Patients with dermatochalasis often complain of dry eye symptoms. In a prospective study, the influence of upper eyelid blepharoplasty on dry eye symptoms, tear film parameters and ocular surface morphology was evaluated.

Methods: Patients with upper eyelid dermatochalasis were studied before and 3 months after upper eyelid blepharoplasty.

Chlamydial conjunctivitis (in adults), uveitis, and reactive arthritis, including SARA. Sexually acquired reactive arthritis.

This chapter deals with Chlamydia -induced ocular and rheumatic diseases of the adult. All of these may follow a primary urogenital infection with Chlamydia trachomatis in genetically predisposed patients. Besides the infection with Chlamydia trachomatis, infections with Chlamydia pneumoniae and Chlamydia psittaci are also discussed as possible causative agents.

Chlamydia pneumoniae seropositivity and the risk of nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy.

Objective: To determine whether IgG antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae are associated with nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).

Design: Retrospective case-control study.

Participants: The study cohort consisted of 71 consecutive patients with NAION and 71 controls matched for age and gender.