Knowledge and attitudes toward corneal donation among Singaporean youth: a cross-sectional study.

Background: To assess the knowledge of Singaporean youth regarding corneal donation and gauge their willingness to donate their corneas.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 500 students from five tertiary institutions in Singapore. All students answered self-administered questionnaires which included seven questions that tested knowledge and three questions that determined willingness to donate corneas.

Use of Valacyclovir for the treatment of cytomegalovirus antigenemia after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Background: Valacyclovir has been used for prophylaxis against cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We investigated the efficacy and safety of high-dose Valacyclovir as pre-emptive therapy in patients with CMV antigenemia after HSCT.

Methods: In a retrospective single center study of 61 patients, we compared the rates of viral clearance, recurrent antigenemia and adverse events in patients with pp65 CMV antigenemia who received high dose Valacyclovir (n = 15), Valganciclovir (n = 16), and Foscarnet (n = 30).