Epstein-Barr virus and acute retinal necrosis in a 5-year-old immunocompetent child

Roberto Gallego-Pinazo1,2, Miguel Harto1, Jose J Garcia-Medina2,3, Inmaculada Serra1, Enrique España1, Maria D Pinazo-Duran2,41Ophthalmology Department, University Hospital, La Fe, Valencia, Spain; 2Ophthalmology Research Unit “Santiago Grisolia”, Valencia, Spain; 3Ophthalmology Department, Hospital La inmaculada, Huercal-Overa, Spain; 4Ophthalmology Department, Hospital Punta de Europa, Algeciras, SpainObjective: To describe a case of bilateral acute retinal necrosis syndrome (ARNS) in a 5-year-old boy.Method: A retrospective, interventional case is described in one child attending the pediatric ophthalmology section, complaining of sudden bilateral red eye and haze-impaired vision. A standardized ophthalmologic examination and specific serological probes supported the diagnosis of severe bilateral ARNS in an immunocompetent child.Results: The reduced visual acuity (<20/400), the ocular fundus signs (perivasculitis, thrombosis and retinal edema) and the positive immunoglobulin M anti-Epstein Barr virus serology, lead us to the ARNS definitive diagnosis. Antiviral therapy (Acyclovir; Zovirax®), ciclopentolate dilating eye drops, and antiplatelet treatment (acetil salicylic acid; Aspirin®) were administered until recovering the final visual acuity (20/40).Conclusions: The ARNS is an ocular disease with poor prognosis, which in turns may display better course when determining the etiopathogenic virus and selecting the appropriate and precocious therapy.Keywords: retinal necrosis, Epstein-Barr virus, antiviral serology, antiviral therap

Recommendations for ophthalmologic practice during the easing of COVID-19 control measures

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, this paper provides recommendations for medical eye care during the easing of control measures after lockdown. The guidelines presented are based on a literature review and consensus among all Spanish Ophthalmology Societies regarding protection measures recommended for the ophthalmologic care of patients with or without confirmed COVID-19 in outpatient, inpatient, emergency and surgery settings. We recommend that all measures be adapted to the circumstances and availability of personal protective equipment at each centre and also highlight the need to periodically update recommendations as we may need to readopt more restrictive measures depending on the local epidemiology of the virus. These guidelines are designed to avoid the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among both patients and healthcare staff as we gradually return to normal medical practice, to prevent postoperative complications and try to reduce possible deficiencies in the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of the ophthalmic diseases. With this update (5th) the Spanish Society of Ophthalmology is placed as one of the major ophthalmology societies providing periodic and systematized recommendations for ophthalmic care during the COVID-19 pandemic

Bolivia and the paradoxes of democratic consolidation

In Bolivia from the 1990s on, two presidents were ousted by popular protests, and protests were rampant. The protests expressed a growing discontent not only with successive administrations and their policies but with politics itself. The polity failed to built trust in democracy, ignored or repressed protests, and thus contributed to a process of democratic "deconsolidation." The main factors were corruption and the reluctance of the traditional political parties to discuss the neoliberal economic model. As a result, the current administration of Evo Morales faces two challenges: to change economic policies and to repair the support for democracy

Calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en los pacientes diagnosticados de síndrome subacromial en el área integrada de Talavera

Background: There is a high prevalence of subacromial syndrome among patients with shoulder pathology, where the pain and tendency to chronification are some of its most important characteristics. This is why it is necessary to objectively interact with the quality of life of the subject. The main goal was to determine if there are differences between subacromial patients and asymptomatic patients regarding quality of life. Methods: Transversal study carried out in the Talavera Integrated Area during the months of November 2016 to March 2017. Participated a total of 92 subjects, 46 were symptomatic mating by age and sex with an asymptomatic sample and without joint pathology of the same size and health area. In both cases, the EQ-5D questionnaire was administered. The prevalence was calculated from the waiting list of traumatology physiotherapy in the year 2015. The SPSS statistical program was used, applying the T-test and the chi-square. Results: The EQ-5D questionnaire obtained a standardized mean of 0.70 in the subacromial syndrome and 0.85 in the asymptomatic population (P=0,0001). The prevalence of impingement subacromial within shoulder pathology was 39.19%. Conclusions: Subacromial syndrome has a high prevalence within the shoulder pathology in the Rehabilitation Service and significantly interferes in the quality of life related to the health of the subject.Fundamentos: Existe una alta prevalencia del síndrome subacromial dentro de los pacientes con patología de hombro, en el cual el dolor y la tendencia a la cronificación son alguna de sus características más importantes. Por ello es necesario objetivar su interacción con la calidad de vida del sujeto. El objetivo principal del estudio fue determinar si existían diferencias en la calidad de vida entre sujetos con síndrome subacromial y asintomáticos. Sujetos y métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal en el Área Integrada de Talavera de la Reina (Toledo), durante los meses de noviembre de 2016 a marzo de 2017. Participaron un total de 92 sujetos, de los que 46 eran sintomáticos, apareándose por edad y sexo con una muestra asintomática y sin patología articular del mismo tamaño y área de salud. En ambos casos se les administró el cuestionario EQ-5D. La prevalencia se calculó a partir de la lista de espera de fisioterapia traumatológica del año 2015. Se utilizó el programa estadístico SPSS, empleándose la prueba T y la chi-cuadrado. Resultados: El cuestionario EQ-5D obtuvo una media estandarizada de 0,70 en el síndrome subacromial y de 0,85 en la población asintomática (p=0,0001). La prevalencia del impingement subacromial dentro de la patología de hombro fue del 39,19%. Conclusiones: El síndrome subacromial tiene una alta prevalencia dentro de la patología de hombro en el Servicio de Rehabilitación e interfiere significativamente en la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud del sujeto