Emerging glaucoma therapeutics

The purpose of this review was to discuss the major recent advances in the field of ophthalmology, particularly as it pertains to glaucoma. We reviewed literature using MEDLINE and PubMed databases with the following search terms: “glaucoma,” “melatonin,” “trabecular outflow pathway,” “adenosine,” “rho kinase,” “norepinephrine,” and “matrix metalloproteinases.” We also reviewed pertinent references from articles found in this search. We looked at various studies concerning the clinical trials of glaucoma therapeutics, and therapeutic potential of putative ocular drug delivery systems in glaucoma. Challenges of assuring safety and efficacy of the newer medicines and techniques are pertinent in this regard. However, more research is needed to better elucidate the mechanism of various investigational drug products and drug delivery devices in glaucoma

Incidence of multiple Herpesvirus infection in HIV seropositive patients, a big concern for Eastern Indian scenario

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with an increased risk for human <it>herpes viruses </it>(HHVs) and their related diseases and they frequently cause disease deterioration and therapeutic failures. Methods for limiting the transmission of HHVs require a better understanding of the incidence and infectivity of oral HHVs in HIV-infected patients. This study was designed to determine the seroprevalence of human herpes viruses (CMV, HSV 2, EBV-1, VZV) antibodies and to evaluate their association with age, sex as well as other demographic and behavioral factors.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A study of 200 HIV positive patients from Eastern India attending the Calcutta Medical College Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, Apex Clinic, Calcutta Medical College Hospital and ART Center, School of Tropical Medicine, Kolkata, West Bengal was done. Serum samples were screened for antibodies to the respective viruses using the indirect ELISA in triplicates.</p> <p><it>CytoMegalo virus </it>(CMV), <it>Herpes Simplex virus </it>type 2 (HSV-2), <it>Varicella Zoster virus </it>(VZV), and <it>Epstein Barr virus </it>(EBV-1) were detected in 49%, 47%, 32.5%, and 26% respectively.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study has contributed baseline data and provided insights in viral OI and HIV co-infection in Eastern India. This would undoubtedly serve as a basis for further studies on this topic.</p