Simultaneous transplantation of limbal stem cells may reduce recurrences of granular dystrophy after corneal transplantation: 2 long-term case reports.

To present 2 cases with long-term relapse-free intervals only after limbo-keratoplasty but not after conventional penetrating keratoplasty in granular dystrophy.Retrospective review of the patient charts and photographs taken during long-term follow-up of 2 cases with granular dystrophy, in which 1 eye received penetrating keratoplasty and the fellow eye received penetrating limbo-keratoplasty.In the first patient, 1 eye showed extensive recurrence of granular deposits 17 years after penetrating keratoplasty was performed while in the second eye two-thirds of the corneal transplant adjacent to the transplanted limbal area remained clear 12 years after the limbo-corneal transplant.

[Salzmann's nodular degeneration. Mostly an epithelial corneal dystrophy].

So-called Salzmann's nodular degeneration has been given a misleading position in the systematics of ophthalmology. The majority of cases of Salzmann's nodular degeneration are in fact a clinical entity fulfilling the criteria of epithelial corneal dystrophy involving Bowman's layer. As with all epithelial dystrophies Salzmann's nodular degeneration recurs after surgical removal.

Total protein concentration and T-cell suppression activity of aqueous humour before and after penetrating keratoplasty.

Purpose: We wished to determine whether immune privilege parameters assayed in aqueous humour (AqH) are relevant to the fate of penetrating keratoplasty (PK) in humans.

Methods: AqH was collected in 28 patients before PK (prospective cohort), in 6 patients with no history of graft rejection undergoing cataract surgery after PK (acceptors), in another 6 patients undergoing treatment of an acute endothelial immune reaction (rejectors), and in 65 controls undergoing uncomplicated cataract extraction. AqH was tested for total protein concentration and the ability to suppress T-cell activation.

Operational post-keratopasty graft tolerance due to differential HLAMatchmaker matching.

Purpose: Penetrating keratoplasty can restore vision in corneal blindness. However, immunologic rejection threatens graft survival. Matching donors at swine leukocyte antigen (SLA)-class II convey allo-specific tolerance in a large animal kidney-transplantation model despite mismatches at SLA-class I.

Epithelial marker expression in Salzmann nodular degeneration shows characteristics of limbal transient amplifying cells and alludes to an involvement of the epithelium in its pathogenesis.

Purpose: To look at the epithelial nature of Salzmann nodular degeneration (SND) and its possible relation with the aetiology of the subepithelial collagen deposition.

Methods: Histological slides of 28 patients with SND were analysed for limbal and central corneal epithelial markers. Expression pattern of these markers in the basal layer of the epithelium was analysed and compared to the expression pattern in central corneal and limbal epithelium.

Long-term graft survival in penetrating keratoplasty: the biexponential model of chronic endothelial cell loss revisited.

Aim: To present a novel interpretation of the biexponential nature of chronic endothelial cell loss after penetrating keratoplasty (PK). We hypothesize that the fast component of endothelial cell loss reflects the endothelial cells of graft origin. The slow component might just reflect cell loss of the recipient endothelium.

[Suture complications in penetrating keratoplasty].

Background: Penetrating keratoplasty with mechanical trephines is currently standard treatment for corneal blindness. This operation requires graft suturing in contrast to the emerging posterior lamellar procedures. Loosening or rupturing of graft sutures can give rise to microbial infections or graft rejections.

Corneal surface reconstruction using adult mesenchymal stem cells in experimental limbal stem cell deficiency in rabbits.

Purpose: To investigate the ability of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) to transdifferentiate to corneal epithelial cells in experimental limbal stem cell deficiency in rabbits.

Methods: Total limbal stem cell deficiency was produced in 21 right eyes of 21 New Zealand rabbits; 6 eyes served as controls (group 1, G1). After removal of the conjunctival overgrowth, five eyes received amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT; G2).

Costs and financing. A cost calculation of an up-to-date eye bank in Germany.

Purpose: To estimate the averaged cost of processing a corneal graft for keratoplasty.

Methods: We estimated the total running costs of a German corneal bank for one year. All procurement-related expenses were calculated on the basis of 300 donors per year and a disavowal percentage of 50%.

Expression of p16 in conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia does not correlate with HPV-infection.

The aim of our study was to identify the frequency of expression of p16(INK4a) (CDKN2A) and HPV (human papilloma virus) in different grades of conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).Twelve specimens including CIN I (2), II (3), III (5), and CIN with beginning invasion (2), as well as 15 control specimens, were stained with antibodies against p16(INK4a) and MIB1. The presence of HPV was examined by PCR.

[HLA B27 seems to promote graft failure following penetrating keratoplasties for herpetic corneal scars].

Background: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is the leading cause of infectious corneal blindness in the developed world. Eighty percent of the general population develop asymptomatic viral latency in the trigeminal ganglion following orofacial inoculation, but only 0.2% of all such orofacial inoculations are followed by recurrent corneal reactivation.

[Amniotic membrane transplantation and high-dose systemic cyclosporin A (Sandimmun optoral) for Mooren's ulcer].

Background: Mooren's ulcer is a rare, severe corneal autoimmune inflammation leading to blindness if treated insufficiently. High-dose systemic cyclosporin A (Sandimmun optoral) was shown to markedly reduce inflammation and stop corneal destruction. We report on three cases in which this immunosuppressive regimen required additional AM transplantation for complete healing.

Matching of the minor histocompatibility antigen HLA-A1/H-Y may improve prognosis in corneal transplantation.

Background: Minor histocompatibility (H) antigens are peptides of allelic intracellular proteins that play an important role in human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matched transplantations. In an animal model of keratoplasty, minor H antigens have even been reported to exceed the immunogenicity of major H antigens (MHC). This investigation is to assess any benefit of matching the broadly expressed gender (H-Y) and HA-3 antigens in HLA-A1 donor positive human keratoplasty.

[Bilateral large conjunctival tumours as primary manifestation of sarcoidosis--successful treatment with steroid-depot-injections].

Introduction: Ocular manifestations of sarcoidosis vary enormously. They include the conjunctiva, lacrimal gland, orbita, intraocular structures and eye-lid, either isolated or combined. We describe a female patient who presented with unusually large, bilateral conjunctival tumours as a primary manifestation of sarcoidosis.

An open prospective pilot study on the use of rapamycin after penetrating high-risk keratoplasty.

Background: The purpose of this study was to prove efficacy and safety of systemic immunosuppression with rapamycin following penetrating high-risk keratoplasty. Rapamycin has shown its immunosuppressive potential in the rat keratoplasty model and is a component of several immunosuppressive protocols after solid organ transplantation. In this pilot study, we compared the efficacy and safety of rapamycin and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF).

[Significance of immediate affixation of a hard contact lens in the emergency treatment of severe alkali burns of the cornea (case report)].

Background: Severe alkali burns lead to massive limbal stem cell damage resulting in persistent epithelial defects, infiltration and stromal melting early in the disease process. A glued-on hard contact lens may serve as an "artificial epithelium" and protect the cornea from these complications.

Case Report: A 39-year-old male presented with severe lime burns in both eyes one week after injury.

Expression of p63 in conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia and squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: p63 is a homologue of the tumour suppressor gene p53, which is expressed in human basal squamous epithelium. Some investigators maintain that p63 plays a role in the development of squamous epithelium and, despite its homology to p53, it is considered to act as an oncogene. This study investigated the expression of p63 in conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia of different grades, and conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma and its correlation to the proliferation marker MIB-1.

Systemic mycophenolate mofetil avoids immune reactions in penetrating high-risk keratoplasty: preliminary results of an ongoing prospectively randomized multicentre study.

Recently, in a monocentre study mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) was demonstrated to be efficacious and safe in penetrating high-risk keratoplasty. Here, preliminary results of a randomized multicentre trial are presented. To date, 86 of 140 scheduled patients undergoing high-risk penetrating keratoplasty have already been randomized into the two study groups: 48 into the MMF group and 38 into the control group.

Immunosuppression with cyclosporine A and mycophenolate mofetil after penetrating high-risk keratoplasty: a retrospective study.

Background: Graft-prognosis after penetrating high-risk keratoplasty has improved considerably with the use of systemic immunosuppressive medications. In this retrospective investigation we analyzed the long-term results of 417 high-risk keratoplasties with systemic immunosuppression (cyclosporine A [CsA] or mycophenolate mofetil [MMF]).

Methods: A total of 417 high-risk keratoplasties with postoperative systemic immunosuppression were evaluated retrospectively: CsA has been given in 252 keratoplasties since 1987, aiming at blood trough levels of 120 to 150 ng/mL.

Topical FK506 as immunoprophylaxis after allogeneic penetrating normal-risk keratoplasty: a randomized clinical pilot study.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate for the first time the efficacy and safety of topical FK506 in patients undergoing penetrating normal-risk keratoplasty in a prospectively randomized clinical trial. Twenty patients were treated with FK506 0.06% three times per day for 6 months postoperatively.

[Ranking of systemic steroids after normal-risk keratoplasty. Results of a randomized prospective study].

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of sole application of topical steroids after normal-risk keratoplasty.

Patients And Methods: This randomized prospective clinical study assessed 40 patients who had undergone penetrating normal-risk keratoplasty. Twenty patients were treated exclusively with prednisolone acetate 1% eye drops 5x/day for 6 months postoperatively.

[Long-term results of homologous penetrating limbokeratoplasty in total limbal stem cell insufficiency after chemical/thermal burns].

Background: Since 1991 homologous penetrating limbokeratoplasty has been performed in 32 patients with severe limbal stem cell insufficiency following chemical/thermal burns. The long-term results considering the effects of HLA matching are presented for the first time.

Patients: All patients received systemic cyclosporin A and/or mycophenolate mofetil in the postoperative course.

Penetrating limbo-keratoplasty for granular and lattice corneal dystrophy: survival of donor limbal stem cells and intermediate-term clinical results.

Purpose: To assess clinical follow-up data, and to identify donor epithelial cells after homologous penetrating central limbo-keratoplasty in patients with granular and lattice corneal dystrophies compared with patients who underwent conventional penetrating keratoplasty (PK).

Design: Mixed retrospective and prospective nonrandomized comparative case series.

Participants And Controls: Twenty-six patients who underwent 33 limbo-keratoplasty procedures for granular or lattice corneal dystrophy since May 1995 and a historical control group of 24 patients who underwent 36 PK procedures between November 1986 and May 1995.

FTY720 prolongs clear corneal allograft survival with a differential effect on different lymphocyte populations.

Background: FTY720 is a potent immunomodulator with unique effects on lymphocyte homing and has recently proved to be safe and effective in renal transplantation in man. The authors investigated the potency of FTY720 in inhibiting allograft rejection in the rat model of orthotopic allogeneic penetrating keratoplasty.

Methods: Penetrating keratoplasties were performed using Fisher rats as donors and Lewis rats as recipients or donors: group 1 (n = 10), allogeneic control; group 2 (n = 10), Lewis/Lewis syngeneic control; group 3 (n = 9), mycophenolate mofetile (MMF) 40 mg/kg; group 4 (n = 10), FTY720 1.