Causes of Hypertensive Anterior Uveitis in Thailand

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of viral infections in patients with hypertensive anterior uveitis in Thailand from polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of aqueous humor. Methods: Thirty-one patients with anterior uveitis with intraocular pressure (IOP) above 25 mmHg were included for PCR analysis for cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex (HSV), varicella-zoster (VZV), rubella, chikungunya and Zika virus. Results: The prevalence of PCR-positive results was 32%, including 19% for CMV, 10% for HSV, and 3% for VZV; PCR for other tested viruses demonstrated negative results. PCR-positive patients exhibited satisfactory IOP control with antiviral and anti-glaucomatous treatment compared to PCR-

Clinical Manifestations of Cytomegalovirus-Associated Posterior Uveitis and Panuveitis in Patients Without Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

<p>Importance: Little attention has been paid to clinical features of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections in individuals without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).</p><p>Objective: To describe the clinical manifestations and comorbidities of patients without HIV infection who have CMV-associated posterior uveitis or panuveitis.</p><p>Design and Setting: Retrospective observational case series in an academic research setting.</p><p>Participants: The medical records were reviewed of 18 patients (22 affected eyes) diagnosed as having posterior uveitis or panuveitis who had aqueous positive for CMV by polymerase chain reaction techniques.</p><p>Main Outcome Measures: Demographic data, clinical manifestations, and associated systemic diseases were recorded.</p><p>Results: Ocular features included focal hemorrhagic retinitis (n=13) and peripheral retinal necrosis (n=7). Two eyes had no focal retinal lesions but manifested vasculitis and vitritis. All patients exhibited vitreous inflammation. Inflammatory reactions in anterior segments developed in 14 of 22 eyes (64%). Retinal vasculitis was observed in 16 of 22 eyes (73%) and included mostly arteries (in 13 of 16 eyes [81%]). Eleven of 18 patients were taking immunosuppressive medications (5 for hematologic malignant diseases, 4 for systemic autoimmune diseases, and 2 following organ transplants). One additional patient was diagnosed as having non-Hodgkin lymphoma 3 months after the onset of CMV-associated panuveitis, and another patient had primary immunodeficiency disorder. Of the remaining 5 patients, 2 had diabetes mellitus, and 3 had no associated systemic diseases and exhibited no evidence of immune deficiency.</p><p>Conclusions and Relevance: Cytomegalovirus-associated infections of posterior eye segments can develop in patients without HIV infection who have compromised immune function of variable severity but may occur also in individuals who have no evidence of immune insufficiency. Cytomegalovirus infections located in posterior eye segments in patients without HIV infection caused intraocular inflammatory reaction in all cases and demonstrated more variable clinical presentation than classic CMV retinitis observed in patients with HIV infection.</p>

Activity of Propolis Nanoparticles against HSV-2: Promising Approach to Inhibiting Infection and Replication

Herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2) infection causes a significant life-long disease. Long-term side effects of antiviral drugs can lead to the emergence of drug resistance. Thus, propolis, a natural product derived from beehives, has been proposed to prevent or treat HSV-2 infections. Unfortunately, therapeutic applications of propolis are still limited due its poor solubility. To overcome this, a nanoparticle-based drug delivery system was employed. An ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) was encapsulated in nanoparticles composed of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) and chitosan using a modified oil-in-water single emulsion by using the solvent evaporation method. The produced nanoparticles (EEP-NPs) had a spherical shape with a size of ~450 nm and presented satisfactory physicochemical properties, including positively charged surface (38.05 &plusmn; 7.65 mV), high entrapment efficiency (79.89 &plusmn; 13.92%), and sustained release profile. Moreover, EEP-NPs were less cytotoxic on Vero cells and exhibited anti-HSV-2 activity. EEP-NPs had a direct effect on the inactivation of viral particles, and also disrupted the virion entry and release from the host cells. A significant decrease in the expression levels of the HSV-2 replication-related genes (ICP4, ICP27, and gB) was also observed. Our study suggests that EEP-NPs provide a strong anti-HSV-2 activity and serve as a promising platform for the treatment of HSV-2 infections

Infectious Uveitis in Thailand: Serologic Analyses and Clinical Features

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