Clinico-Microbiological Profile and Treatment Outcome of Infectious Scleritis: Experience from a Tertiary Eye Care Center of India

Medical and microbiology records of seventeen patients (17 eyes), diagnosed as scleritis of infectious origin were reviewed; to study clinical features, predisposing risk factors, microbiologic profile and treatment outcome of infectious scleritis. The mean patient age was 52.3 ± 19.75 years. Twelve patients (70.6%) had history of trauma/prior surgery. Isolated organisms included Staphylococcus species (spp) (n = 5), Fungus (n = 4), Nocardia spp (n = 3), two each of atypical Mycobacterium spp and Streptococcus pneumoniae and one Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Treatment included intensive topical antimicrobial in all eyes and systemic medication in 15 (88.2%) patients; surgical exploration was needed for 13 (76.5%) patients and scleral patch graft was done in four (23.5%) patients. Lesions resolved in all patients and none required evisceration. The presenting log MAR visual acuity of 1.77 ± 1.40 and improved to 0.99 ± 0.91. (P ≤ 0.039) after treatment with a mean follow up of 22.57 ± 19.53 weeks. A microbiological confirmation, appropriate medical and/or surgical intervention has a good tectonic and visual outcome

Unusual Presentation of Phacolytic Glaucoma: Simulating Microbial Keratitis

The differential diagnoses for phacolytic glaucoma are acute angle closure glaucoma, open angle glaucoma with uveitis, neovascular glaucoma, and glaucoma secondary to trauma. We report an unusual case where the dislocated cataractous lens firmly adherent to the corneal endothelium evoked a cellular reaction similar to phacolytic glaucoma but clinically appeared like a deep corneal abscess. The 73-year-old lady presented with severe photophobia, pain, and redness in the left eye for two months despite being on antibiotics and antifungals. Anterior chamber wash revealed a cataractous lens buried within the infiltrate, which was removed and sent for histopathological examination. Postoperatively she was treated with topical ofloxacin, homatropine, dorzolamide, timolol, and tapering dose of steroids. Histological confirmation of inflammation, histiocytic response, and giant cells around the lens material confirmed the ongoing phacolytic process. Photophobia, pain, and redness subsided following removal of the lens and surrounding cellular reaction. At her last visit, four months after surgery, she was comfortable

Synthesis and Characterization of Nonaqueous Deposited Nanocrystalline Cds Film

A nanocrystallineCdS film can be deposited by chemical bath deposition using non aqueous medium. XRD analysis confirms the crystalline structure of CdS (002) with 34 nm crystallite size. The as deposited films are stoichiometric in nature with Cd and S atomic % ratio equal to 1.0. The field emission scanning electron miceoscope and atomic force microscopy studies revels a densely packed non porous granular deposit with RMS value of roughness equal to 92nm. The band gap of the film is measures by spectroscopy and it is observed to 2.40 eV which is good agreement with the reported result. The photoluminescence prominent peak of the CdS film is observed to be 392 nm

Case Report Unusual Presentation of Phacolytic Glaucoma: Simulating Microbial Keratitis

The differential diagnoses for phacolytic glaucoma are acute angle closure glaucoma, open angle glaucoma with uveitis, neovascular glaucoma, and glaucoma secondary to trauma. We report an unusual case where the dislocated cataractous lens firmly adherent to the corneal endothelium evoked a cellular reaction similar to phacolytic glaucoma but clinically appeared like a deep corneal abscess. The 73-year-old lady presented with severe photophobia, pain, and redness in the left eye for two months despite being on antibiotics and antifungals. Anterior chamber wash revealed a cataractous lens buried within the infiltrate, which was removed and sent for histopathological examination. Postoperatively she was treated with topical ofloxacin, homatropine, dorzolamide, timolol, and tapering dose of steroids. Histological confirmation of inflammation, histiocytic response, and giant cells around the lens material confirmed the ongoing phacolytic process. Photophobia, pain, and redness subsided following removal of the lens and surrounding cellular reaction. At her last visit, four months after surgery, she was comfortable

CLINICAL SPECTRUM OF SCRUB TYPHUS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL AT EASTERN INDIA

 Objective: Our hospital, tertiary care hospital in the capital of the state of Odisha, had been witnessing pyrexia of unknown origin, associated with breathlessness, renal, and liver impairment, which did not respond to high antibiotics but to doxycycline; therefore, the present study was undertaken to identify whether scrub typhus is the etiological agent, and thereafter, their characteristic features were further evaluated as an effort in supporting its diagnoses and treating patients accordingly.Methods: A total of 65 adult patients (age >15 years) admitted with pyrexia between April 2015 and October 2017 were evaluated. Immunoglobulin M (IgM) scrub typhus test was done in all these patients. IgM scrub typhus test positive samples were included in the study and various clinical parameters analyzed.Results: Of the 65 patients included in the study, all were found to be positive for IgM antibodies against Orientia tsutsugamushi. The cases were seen mainly in the months between September and November. The common symptoms found were fever, myalgia, breathlessness, rash, and abdominal pain and rarely altered sensorium. The diagnostic features like eschar were found in 23% patients. Nearly, two-thirds of patients had fever more than 7 days and myalgia (76.92%), headache (58.46%). The most common complications were renal failure (20%) followed by pneumonia (10.76%). Laboratory findings of high C-reacting protein (89.23%) and leukocytosis are found in 35.38%.Conclusion: Our results showed that scrub typhus should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pyrexia of unknown origin associated with breathlessness, myalgia, rash, gastrointestinal symptoms, hepatorenal syndrome, or acute respiratory distress syndrome. Empirical treatment with doxycycline may be given in the cases with strong suspicion of scrub typhus

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Not AvailablePhosphorus (P) is a limiting nutrient in some freshwater ecosystems. Phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) are candidates for enhancing P availability in rhizoplane, but their P release potential in freshwater environments needs further evaluations. This study conducted in floodplain wetlands correlated PSB abundance, decline in sediment pH, and natural mobilization of sediment Ca–P. PSB were abundantly present in floodplain wetland waters, sediments, and in river and ponds, showing low to moderate Ca–P solubilization activity; PSB from Churni River and Bhomra wetland sediments had comparatively higher activity than those from other environments. In laboratory sediment microcosms, PSB were effective in enhancing available P concentration in interstitial water indicating their P release potential. However, P-fractionation of incubated sediments showed only a short-term decline in Ca–P by PSB, suggesting that Ca–P might not be their sole or preferred metabolic target. Despite low to moderate activity in culture medium, high population density and efficacy in P release in sediment suggest significant role of PSB in P cycling in freshwater environments.Not Availabl

Clinical manifestations and management of ocular mucormycosis during COVID-19 pandemic in Eastern India: A retrospective analysis

Purpose: To report the clinical presentation, risk factors and treatment outcomes of ocular mucormycosis during COVID-19 pandemic in Eastern India. Method: Eleven cases of biopsy-proven rhino-orbital mucormycosis with a history of concurrent or past COVID-19 presenting to the ophthalmology department of two tertiary referral centres in Eastern India from April to June 2021 were studied. Complete ophthalmological, otolaryngeal workup and imaging studies, staging was done and treatment was planned in a multidisciplinary approach. Empirical systemic amphotericin B was started. All cases underwent radical sinus surgery with orbital wall decompression, sinus and orbital irrigation with amphotericin B, followed by regular nasal debridement and serial ophthalmic examinations. Cases were followed up for a period of three months. Results: The mean age was 46.5 ± 10.7 years with male preponderance (90.9%). 90.90% of patients had elevated blood sugar levels at presentation. The common ocular presentations were conjunctival congestion (90.90%), periorbital oedema (72.72%), ophthalmoplegia (72.72%), diminution of vision (63.63%), ptosis (54.54%) and proptosis (45.45%). After treatment, regular follow-up showed clinical improvement in vision (80%), chronic ophthalmoplegia (83.3%) and complete improvement in proptosis, ptosis and periorbital oedema. COVID infection, old age, hyperglycemia, unvaccinated status and cerebral involvement were associated with increased mortality. The survival rate at three months follow-up was 81.8% and these patients were on antifungal therapy. Conclusion: A high index of suspicion and early detection as well as prompt medical and surgical treatment increases the chances of survival. Orbital wall decompression, sinus and orbital irrigation with amphotericin B are helpful in salvaging the eye and vision in most cases