Saurabh Deshmukh

Preparation and properties of glucose isomerase immobilized on indion 48-R

Partially purified glucose isomerase fromStreptomyces thermonitrificans when coupled to glutaraldehyde-activated Indion 48-R, retained 30–40% activity of the soluble enzyme. However, an approximately twofold increase in the activity could be achieved by binding the enzyme in the presence of glucose. Binding the enzyme to matrices presaturated with either glucose or fructose and influence of lysine modification on the activity of the soluble enzyme revealed that the comparatively low activity observed in case of the enzyme bound in the absence of substrate is the result of the nonspecific binding of either substrate or product to the matrix. Immobilization did not affect the pH and temperature optima of the enzyme, but it lowered the temperature stability. Immobilization resulted in a marginal increase in theKm and a threefold decrease in theVmax. Substrate concentrations as high as 36% glucose could be converted to 18.5% fructose in 5 h, at pH 7.0 and 70‡C. The bound enzyme, however, showed inferior stability to repeated use and lost approx 40% of its initial activity after five cycles of use. Indion 48-R bound glucose isomerase could be stored, in wet state, for 30 d without any apparent loss in its initial activity.

Bilateral endogenous endophthalmitis in disseminated histoplasmosis secondary to immunosuppression: A rare case report

We report the clinical course of a 47-year-old diabetic and hypertensive male who presented to us with diminution of vision in both eyes (OU) for 4 months. He was diagnosed with granulomatosis with polyangiitis and was treated with cyclophosphamide and steroids elsewhere. Before this, he was on steroids and methotrexate for probable sarcoidosis based on cavitary lesions in the lungs. During tapering of the steroids and so in relatively immunosuppressed status, he developed fever and maculopapulo-nodular skin lesions. Skin lesion biopsy confirmed Histoplasma capsulatum and he was started on systemic antifungals. Later, he developed bilateral endogenous endophthalmitis and was managed with intravitreal medications followed by vitrectomy with lensectomy OU. The patient regained vision and is maintaining the same until 1 year of follow-up. Thus, in spite of its rare occurrence, H. capsulatum should be considered as a cause of endogenous endophthalmitis in an immunosuppressed host with systemic histoplasmosis.

Juvenile X-Linked retinoschisis: Response to topical dorzolamide therapy

We report clinical course of a 22-year-old Indian male patient presenting with bilateral Juvenile X-linked retinoschisis (JXLRS) in response to topical 2% dorzolamide hydrochloride treatment. He presented with progressive diminution of vision in both eyes (OU) for the past 16 years. A “cartwheel” macular pattern was observed in his retina OU. Multimodal imaging including fundus photography, fluorescein fundus angiography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and electroretinogram was performed. Following treatment with topical dorzolamide, there was a significant regression of the macular cyst on OCT and significant improvement in the visual acuity. This case report emphasizes on the response of macular cysts to topical dorzolamide. Thus, it may be a promising treatment option in terms of visual as well as anatomical recovery in JXLRS.

Ocular manifestation of whooping cough in a vaccinated child

Pertussis is an infection of the respiratory tract caused by Bordetella pertussis commonly affecting the infants and the young children. Diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus vaccine is available for the prevention of the disease. However, pertussis has been reported in vaccinated individuals. It is characterized by paroxysms of cough, leading to various ocular manifestations such as subconjunctival hemorrhage, lid ecchymosis, and retinal hemorrhage. We report a case of a vaccinated boy who presented with ocular complaints and later diagnosed to be suffering from pertussis and treated successfully for the same.

Clinical profile of nonstrabismic binocular vision anomalies in patients with asthenopia in North-East India

Aim: To report the clinical profile of non-strabismic binocular vision anomalies (NSBVA) in patients with asthenopia in North-East India. Materials and methods: A hospital based study was conducted on 131 patients from age group 10-40 years attending the vision therapy clinic. Patients were divided into the age groups 10-20 years, 21-30 years and 31-40 years. A detailed orthoptic evaluation was carried out including sensory and motor testing and a diagnosis was made comparing various orthoptic parameters of the particular patients. Results: Of the 131 patients, 81 were female and 50 were male. The number of patients was 62 in the 10-20 years age group, 49 in 21-30 years age group and 20 in 31-40 years age group. The prevalence of NSBVA in age group 10-20 years was 69.35%, 21-30 years was 67.35% and 31-40 years was 50.00%. It was observed that the most common NSBVA was convergence insufficiency across all age groups followed by accommodative insufficiency and convergence excess. Conclusion: Early detection of NSBVA is important because these deviations may decompensate without treatment and become strabismic resulting in loss of stereopsis and development of suppression. Early detection and treatment provides best opportunity for academic success in school going age groups.