Fungal Endophthalmitis: Clinical Characteristics, Pathogens, and Factors Affecting Visual Outcome.

Aims: The aims of this study are to investigate the etiology, microbiological spectrum, and risk factors associated with visual outcomes of fungal endophthalmitis (FE) in a tertiary eye specialty hospital in Shanghai, China.

Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center case series. The clinical characteristics, etiology, microbiological spectrum, and management, as well as the visual outcomes, were analyzed.

Investigation of effects of orthokeratology and povidone iodine disinfecting solution on the conjunctival microbiome using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.

Purpose: To determine organisms present in the conjunctiva of children before and after orthokeratology lens wear, using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.

Methods: Conjunctival samples were collected from children aged 8-12 years (inclusive) at baseline and on three occasions over the first six months of orthokeratology treatment. All lenses were disinfected using the povidone iodine-based solution every day after use.

Effect of povidone iodine contact lens disinfecting solution on orthokeratology lens and lens case contamination and organisms in the microbiome of the conjunctiva.

Purpose: To compare lens cleaning routines using a povidone iodine-based rigid lens disinfecting solution and its effect on conjunctival colonisation, and lens and lens case contamination.

Methods: Participants, aged 6-10 years, receiving orthokeratology treatment were randomised to four lens cleaning routines: with and without the use of daily and/or weekly cleaners, which were performed by their parents. Conjunctival colonisation was compared before lens wear and at 1-, 3-, and 6-month after commencement of lens wear.

Categorisation of myopia progression by change in refractive error and axial elongation and their impact on benefit of myopia control using orthokeratology.

Aims: To compare the value of pre-treatment axial elongation (AE) and changes in refractive sphere (M change) for predicting the success in orthokeratology (ortho-k), in order to better identify suitable candidates for myopia control.

Methods: This study further analysed the data of 66 subjects receiving 7-month ortho-k treatment, following a 7-month observation period, during which single-vision spectacles were worn. Rate of myopia progression was determined by AE and M change and subjects categorised as slow, moderate, or rapid progressors based on these changes.

Microbiological evaluation of different hand drying methods for removing bacteria from washed hands.

Proper drying of hands after washing is an integral part of hand hygiene. An experimental study on 30 subjects using multiple comparisons of six hand drying methods including 1) drying on own clothes, 2) drying with one paper towel, 3) drying with two paper towels, 4) drying with a warm air dryer while holding hands stationary for 20 s, 5) drying with a warm air dryer while hand rubbing for 20 s, and 6) drying with a jet air dryer until complete dryness was achieved. It aimed to determine the effectiveness of different hand drying methods for removing bacteria from washed hands, so as to identify the optimum method using minimum resources.

Risk factors associated with contamination of orthokeratology lens cases.

Purpose: To evaluate the risk factors associated with contamination of lens cases in a group of orthokeratology (ortho-k) lens wearers.

Method: Ortho-k patients attending the Contact Lens Clinic of the Hospital were required to complete a checklist about their routine daily care and handling of lens cases. Their cases were then collected for analysis.

Evaluation of prevention and disruption of biofilm in contact lens cases.

Purpose: The presence of biofilm in the lens case has been shown to be a risk factor for contamination of lenses and consequently microbial keratitis. This study aimed to evaluate effectiveness of solutions for rigid contact lenses in prevention and disruption of biofilm in lens cases and methods for biofilm detection.

Method: This study adopted a stepwise approach to evaluate effectiveness of four rigid lens disinfecting solutions against biofilm.

Regional differences in temporal incidence of Clostridium difficile infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Previous decades have witnessed a change in the epidemiology of Clostridium difficile infections. This study aimed to determine temporal trends in the incidence of C difficile infection across geographic regions.

Methods: An initial search of the relevant literature was conducted from date inception to October 2018 without language restriction.

Pre-treatment observation of axial elongation for evidence-based selection of children in Hong Kong for myopia control.

Purpose: This study aimed to develop evidence-based guidelines for identifying suitable subjects for myopia control using orthokeratology (ortho-k).

Methods: Changes in axial elongation (AE) in the worse eyes of 66 myopic children (myopia between -0.75 and -4.

Disturbing the balance: effect of contact lens use on the ocular proteome and microbiome.

Contact lens wear is a popular, convenient and effective method for vision correction. In recent years, contact lens practice has expanded to include new paradigms, including orthokeratology; however, their use is not entirely without risk, as the incidence of infection has consistently been reported to be higher in contact lens wearers. The explanations for this increased susceptibility have largely focused on physical damage, especially to the cornea, due to a combination of hypoxia, mechanical trauma, deposits and solution cytotoxicity, as well as poor compliance with care routines leading to introduction of pathogens into the ocular environment.

Reliability of N95 respirators for respiratory protection before, during, and after nursing procedures.

Background: The adequate fit of an N95 respirator is important for health care workers to reduce the transmission of airborne infectious diseases in the clinical setting. This study aimed to evaluate whether adequately sealed N95 respirators may provide consistent protection for the wearer while performing nursing procedures.

Methods: Participants were a group of nursing students (N = 120).

Awareness of tick-borne disease and compliance with using tick preventive products of dog owners in Hong Kong.

Tick-borne disease in dogs is common in South-east Asia and includes babesiosis and ehrlichiosis. These diseases can be largely prevented by compliant use of tick preventive products. This study investigated knowledge of ticks and tick-borne disease and use of tick preventive agents by a large sample of dog owners in Hong Kong.

Effects of Lead Phytochemicals of Radix Scutellariae on Acanthamoeba.

Purpose: Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK), which is associated with noncompliant use of contact lenses, remains difficult to treat due to delayed diagnosis and paucity of therapeutic agents. Although improvements in activity against Acanthamoeba infection have been achieved in disinfecting solutions for soft contact lenses, such modifications have not been extended to those for special rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses, which are increasingly used for myopia control in children. Phytochemicals present in herbs used for traditional Chinese medicine may be effective as therapeutic or preventive agents.

A quasi-experimental study to determine the effects of a multifaceted educational intervention on hand hygiene compliance in a radiography unit.

Background: Whilst numerous studies have investigated nurses' compliance with hand hygiene and use of alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR), limited attention has been paid to these issues in allied health staff. Reports have linked infections to breaches in infection control in the radiography unit (RU). With advances in medical imaging, a higher proportion of patients come into contact with RU staff increasing the need for good hand hygiene compliance.

Prevalence of antiseptic resistance genes increases in staphylococcal isolates from orthokeratology lens wearers over initial six-month period of use.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of antiseptic-resistance (QAC) genes in staphylococci colonizing periorbital tissues and accessories of orthokeratology (ortho-k) lens wearers over a 6-month period and determine the effect of their presence on minimum inhibitory (MIC) and bactericidal concentrations (MBC) of disinfectants and log reduction of multipurpose contact lens solutions (MPS). Staphylococci were isolated from periorbital tissues and accessories of patients before commencing ortho-k therapy and at two subsequent visits. Presence of QAC genes in 116 S.

Microbial Contamination of Periorbital Tissues and Accessories of Children.

Purpose: To investigate normal flora of children with and without orthokeratology (ortho-k) treatment, and the associations between carriage of Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative rods with contamination of contact lenses and lens cases in ortho-k subjects and with spectacles of control subjects.

Methods: Twenty-three ortho-k subjects (treatment >12 months) and 20 control myopic subjects aged 7-14 years were recruited. Samples were collected from four sites surrounding the left eye (lower conjunctiva, upper and lower eyelids, and eyelashes) for all subjects, spectacles for control subjects and contact lens accessories for ortho-k subjects.

Does the presence of QAC genes in staphylococci affect the efficacy of disinfecting solutions used by orthokeratology lens wearers?

Background/aim: There has been increasing evidence of the emergence of antiseptic resistance mediated by quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) resistance genes, which may reduce the efficacy of disinfection. Although the presence of QAC-positive staphylococci has been shown to be elevated in contact lens wearers, the efficacy of multipurpose solutions (MPS) against such isolates has not been determined. This study investigated the efficacy of four MPS for rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses against staphylococci-harbouring QAC genes.

Inhibitory Effects of 2,2'-Dipyridyl and 1,2,3,4,6-Penta-O-Galloyl-b-D-Glucopyranose on Biofilm Formation in Contact Lens Cases.

Purpose: This study observed biofilm formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus in contact lens cases and investigated the inhibitory effects of 2,2'-dipyridyl (2DP) and 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-b-D-glucopyranose (PGG).

Methods: Biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa ATCC 9027 and S.

Determination of cytotoxicity of traditional Chinese medicine herbs, Rhizoma coptidis, Radix scutellariae, and Cortex phellodendri, by three methods.

Background: Many herbs are used in traditional Chinese medicine TCM) for treatment of infections but their properties, in particular, their effects on normal cells have received little attention. This study investigated the cytotoxic properties of three TCM herbs with potential use in prevention and treatment of ocular infections, including Acanthamoeba keratitis.

Method: The study investigated cytotoxic effects of the herbal extracts of Rhizoma coptidis, Radix scutellariae, and Cortex phellodendri on human corneal epithelial cells using trypan blue staining, MTT production, and flow cytometry.

Tracking sources of Staphylococcus aureus hand contamination in food handlers by spa typing.

We aimed to identify the source of Staphylococcus aureus contaminating hands of food handlers. Nasal samples and direct fingertip imprints were collected on 2 occasions from food handlers and characterized to determine likely sources of hand contamination. Most hand contamination was attributable to nasal isolates of persistently colonized coworkers who had presumably contaminated the environment.

Prevalence of antiseptic-resistance genes in staphylococci isolated from orthokeratology lens and spectacle wearers in Hong Kong.

Purpose: To compare isolation of staphylococci from periorbital tissues and accessories of orthokeratology (ortho-k) lens and spectacle wearers and investigate prevalence of antiseptic-resistance (QAC) genes. To determine minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of antiseptics and antibiotic susceptibility of isolates.

Methods: Staphylococci were isolated from eyelids, eyelashes, and conjunctival sacs of 23 ortho-k lens wearers and 20 spectacle wearers.