The Impact of HLA-A29 Homozygosity and of the Second HLA-A Allele on Susceptibility and Severity of Birdshot Chorioretinitis.

Purpose: HLA-A29 is the main susceptibility factor for birdshot chorioretinitis (BSCR). Our study assessed the impact of the second HLA-A allele alongside HLA-A29 on BSCR severity and susceptibility, focusing on HLA-A29 homozygous patients and those with alleles from the HLA-Aw19 group.

Methods: We included 120 additional cases to our previous analysis of 286 patients with BSCR, all HLA-A29 positive.

Measuring hospital antibiotic consumption in EU/EEA countries: comparison of different metrics, 2017 to 2021.

BackgroundAntibiotic resistance poses a considerable public health threat, with data-driven stewardship a main prevention measure. While quantifying antibiotic consumption is a key component of antibiotic stewardship programmes, the choice of denominator for calculating this metric can impact comparative analyses and trend evaluations substantially, influencing targeted stewardship interventions.AimWe aim to evaluate how using hospital sector-specific antibiotic consumption rate denominators at country level impacts country rankings and trends, addressing the limitations of the commonly used 'defined daily doses (DDD) per 1,000 inhabitants per day' metric.

Quality of Life in Patients with Birdshot Chorioretinitis Aged 80 and Older.

Purpose: Birdshot chorioretinitis (BSCR) is an ocular HLA-related disease with variable clinical progression. We examine the quality of life (QOL) of BSCR individuals aged ≥80 years, providing insights into the long-term disease impact.

Methods: We utilized data from the CO-BIRD cohort (ClinicalTrials.

Endogenous endophthalmitis: New insights from a 12-year cohort study.

Objectives: To describe the clinical and microbiological characteristics of patients with endogenous endophthalmitis (EE), determine factors associated with outcome and propose a management plan for EE.

Methods: Retrospective case series in two tertiary referral centers from 2010 to 2022.

Results: Sixty-four eyes of 53 patients were included.

Emergence of OXA-48-producing in Lithuania, 2023: a multi-cluster, multi-hospital outbreak.

In 2023, an increase of OXA-48-producing was noticed by the Lithuanian National Public Health Surveillance Laboratory. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of 106 OXA-48-producing isolates revealed three distinct clusters of carbapenemase-producing high-risk clones, including sequence type (ST) 45 (n = 35 isolates), ST392 (n = 32) and ST395 (n = 28), involving six, six and nine hospitals in different regions, respectively. These results enabled targeted investigation and control, and underscore the value of national WGS-based surveillance for antimicrobial resistance.

The carbon footprint and wastage of intravitreal injections.

Purpose: The healthcare system emits greenhouse gas emissions and produces waste that in turn threatens the health of populations. The objective of our study was to measure the ecological threat related to intravitreal injections.

Methods: Emissions were separated into scope 2 corresponding to Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) of the building, and scope 3 corresponding to travels (patients and staff), and life cycle assessment (LCA) of medical devices (MD) and pharmaceutics.

AUTOMATED DETECTION OF VITRITIS USING ULTRAWIDE-FIELD FUNDUS PHOTOGRAPHS AND DEEP LEARNING.

Background/purpose: Evaluate the performance of a deep learning algorithm for the automated detection and grading of vitritis on ultrawide-field imaging.

Methods: Cross-sectional noninterventional study. Ultrawide-field fundus retinophotographs of uveitis patients were used.

Emergence and persistent spread of carbapenemase-producing high-risk clones in Greek hospitals, 2013 to 2022.

BackgroundPreliminary unpublished results of the survey of carbapenem- and/or colistin-resistant Enterobacterales (CCRE survey) showed the expansion of carbapenemase-producing (CPKP) sequence type (ST) 39 in 12 of 15 participating Greek hospitals in 2019.AimWe conducted a rapid survey to determine the extent of spread of CPKP high-risk clones in Greek hospitals in 2022 and compare the distribution of circulating CPKP clones in these hospitals since 2013.MethodsWe analysed whole genome sequences and epidemiological data of 310 isolates that were carbapenem-resistant or 'susceptible, increased exposure' from Greek hospitals that participated in the European survey of carbapenemase-producing (EuSCAPE, 2013-2014), in the CCRE survey (2019) and in a national follow-up survey (2022) including, for the latter, an estimation of transmission events.

Impact of a handpiece with a built-in fluidics pressure sensor on phacoemulsification: a multicentre prospective comparative study.

Objective: We assessed whether the immediate pressure adjustments provided by a phacoemulsification handpiece with a built-in pressure sensor (Active Sentry, AS) could decrease the amount of energy delivered in the eye during cataract surgery.

Methods And Analysis: The Study of Active Sentry in Cataract Surgery was a multicentre prospective clinical trial. The Centurion system (Alcon Labs) was used and we compared phacoemulsifications performed with the AS handpiece with procedures using a sensor placed in the phacoemulsifier (non-AS).

Rebound in community antibiotic consumption after the observed decrease during the COVID-19 pandemic, EU/EEA, 2022.

We observed a rebound in consumption of antibacterials for systemic use (ATC J01) in the community sector in the European Union/European Economic Area during 2021 and 2022, after an observed decrease between 2019 and 2020. The rates in 2022 returned to pre-COVID-19-pandemic levels and were exceeded in 13 countries. Although these patterns could partly be a result of changes in disease transmission during the study period, it could also reflect a lost opportunity to strengthen and reinforce prudent antibiotic use.

Revisiting the personal protective equipment components of transmission-based precautions for the prevention of COVID-19 and other respiratory virus infections in healthcare.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted some potential limitations of transmission-based precautions. The distinction between transmission through large droplets vs aerosols, which have been fundamental concepts guiding infection control measures, has been questioned, leading to considerable variation in expert recommendations on transmission-based precautions for COVID-19. Furthermore, the application of elements of contact precautions, such as the use of gloves and gowns, is based on low-quality and inconclusive evidence and may have unintended consequences, such as increased incidence of healthcare-associated infections and spread of multidrug-resistant organisms.

[Scleritis and episcleritis].

Scleritis and episcleritis are rare ocular inflammatory diseases but deserve to be known by internists because of their frequent association with systemic autoimmune diseases. It is important to distinguish them between because their prognosis, therapeutic management and potential complications are very different. Episcleritis represents a superficial ocular inflammation with usually benign visual prognosis, no complication with local treatment, and is associated with a systemic autoimmune disease in rare cases.

Birdshot Chorioretinitis in Patients Aged 80 and Older.

Purpose: To assess the manifestations of birdshot chorioretinitis (BSCR) in patients aged 80 and over.

Design: Among patients with BSCR followed in the CO-BIRD prospective cohort (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05153057), we analyzed the subgroup of patients aged 80 and over.

Cost Utility and Value of Information Analysis of Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery.

Importance: The efficacy and safety of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery is well documented. An important requirement for decision makers is the evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) over a sufficiently long horizon. Evaluating the cost-effectiveness of this treatment was a preplanned secondary objective of the Economic Evaluation of Femtosecond Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery (FEMCAT) trial.

Rapid cross-border emergence of NDM-5-producing in the European Union/European Economic Area, 2012 to June 2022.

Whole genome sequencing data of 874 isolates carrying from 13 European Union/European Economic Area countries between 2012 and June 2022 showed the predominance of sequence types ST167, ST405, ST410, ST361 and ST648, and an increasing frequency of detection. Nearly a third (30.6%) of these isolates were associated with infections and more than half (58.

French recommendations for the management of non-infectious chronic uveitis.

This French National Diagnostic and Care Protocol (NDPC) includes both pediatric and adult patients with non-infectious chronic uveitis (NICU) or non-infectious recurrent uveitis (NIRU). NICU is defined as uveitis that persists for at least 3 months or with frequent relapses occurring less than 3 months after cessation of treatment. NIRU is repeated episodes of uveitis separated by periods of inactivity of at least 3 months in the absence of treatment.

Impact of Initial Management on Disease Evolution in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Syndrome: A Retrospective Cohort of 50 Patients.

Purpose: The study aims to determine the impact of initial management in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome (VKHS).

Methods: Patients diagnosed with a VKHS between January 2001 and December 2020 in two French tertiary centers were included in a retrospective study.

Results: Fifty patients were included with a median duration of follow-up of 29.

Total Keratometry Measured With a Swept-Source Optical Biometer Versus Anterior Keratometry: From Planning to Postoperative Results.

Purpose: To compare the influence of total keratometry (TK) versus anterior keratometry (K) measured with the swept-source optical biometer IOLMaster 700 (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG) on the planning of toric intraocular lenses (IOLs), and the error in predicted residual astigmatism (PRA).

Methods: This single-center retrospective study included 247 eyes of 180 patients. In eyes undergoing cataract surgery, the optimal toric IOL was calculated based on K or TK measured with the IOLMaster 700.

Cystatin C-Based Equation to Estimate GFR without the Inclusion of Race and Sex.

Background: The accuracy of estimation of kidney function with the use of routine metabolic tests, such as measurement of the serum creatinine level, has been controversial. The European Kidney Function Consortium (EKFC) developed a creatinine-based equation (EKFC eGFRcr) to estimate the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) with a rescaled serum creatinine level (i.e.

Increasing number of cases and outbreaks caused by in the EU/EEA, 2020 to 2021.

The number of cases of infection or carriage and of countries reporting cases and outbreaks increased in the European Union and European Economic Area during 2020 and 2021. Eight countries reported 335 such cases in 2020 and 13 countries 655 cases in 2021. Five countries experienced outbreaks while one country reported regional endemicity.