Xavier Janssens

Endogenous endophthalmitis complicating Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess in Europe: case report

Purpose: To report the first European case of endogenous endophthalmitis secondary to a liver abscess due to Klebsiella pneumoniae expressing MagA gene. Methods: A 33-year-old diabetic patient was admitted for fever and right upper quadrant abdominal pain. Abdominal computed tomography and laboratory studies were performed. On day 4 after admission, patient complained of a painful and red right eye with decreased vision. A complete ophthalmological examination, including visual acuity assessment, slit lamp examination and fundus ophthalmoscopy was started. Results: Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess was diagnosed and antibiotherapy initiated. Polymerase chain reaction revealed that the isolated Klebsiella pneumoniae was serotype K1 and positive for Mag A. Ophthalmological examination disclosed cells in the anterior chamber and an important vitritis. Fundus was barely visible. A diagnosis of Klebsiella pneumoniae endogenous endophthalmitis complicating liver abscess was made. Intravitreal injection of antibiotics resulted in a preservation of visual acuity. Conclusion: This report suggests that rather than being confined to Taiwan, endogenous endophthalmitis secondary to a liver abscess due to Klebsiella pneumoniae expressing MagA gene, is becoming a global problem.

Uveitis-like syndrome and iris transillumination after the use of oral moxifloxacin.

ObjectiveTo report a newly recognized adverse effect of oral moxifloxacin.DesignObservational case reports.ParticipantsFive patients who used oral moxifloxacin therapy.Main outcome measuresIn five patients, a uveitis-like episode followed oral moxifloxacin therapy, afterwards they experienced photophobia. At slitlamp investigation, the patients showed almost complete iris transillumination, not restricted to one sector, and persistent mydriasis of the pupil, with no reaction to light and no near reflex. Follow-up of 3 years in one of the patients showed no change of symptoms. Only in one patient, with a history of anterior uveitis, an anterior chamber tap was positive for herpes simplex genome. Only after the use of moxifloxacin did she experience continuous photophobia.ConclusionsIris transillumination and sphincter paralysis is a newly recognized adverse effect of oral moxifloxacin therapy.

Clinical Outcome of Hypertensive Uveitis

Purpose. To review the clinical outcome of patients with hypertensive uveitis. Methods. Retrospective review of uveitis patients with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) > 25 mmHg and >1-year follow-up. Data are uveitis type, etiology, viral (VU) and nonviral uveitis (NVU), IOP, and medical and/or surgical treatment. Results. In 61 patients, IOP values are first 32.9 mmHg (SD: 9.0), highest 36.6 mmHg (SD: 9.9), 3 months after the first episode 19.54 mmHg (SD: 9.16), and end of follow-up 15.5 mmHg (SD: 6.24). Patients with VU (n = 25) were older (50.6 y/35.7 y, p = 0.014) and had more unilateral disease (100%/72.22%  p = 0.004) than those with NVU (n = 36). Thirty patients (49.2%) had an elevated IOP before topical corticosteroid treatment. Patients with viral uveitis might have higher first elevated IOP (36.0/27.5 mmHg, p = 0,008) and maximal IOP (40.28/34.06 mmHg, p = 0.0148) but this was not significant when limited to the measurements before the use of topical corticosteroids (p = 0.260 and 0.160). Glaucoma occurred in 15 patients (24.59%) and was suspected in 11 (18.03%) without difference in viral and nonviral groups (p = 0.774). Conclusion. Patients with VU were older and had more unilateral hypertensive uveitis. Glaucoma frequently complicates hypertensive uveitis. Half of the patients had an elevated IOP before topical corticosteroid treatment.

Aquaporin-1 Expression in Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy and in Epiretinal Membranes

Purpose. Aquaporin-1 (AQP1) is involved in cell migration and proliferation; therefore, the purpose of the study was to investigate its expression in proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) and epiretinal membranes (ERM). Methods. 19 membranes from PVR and ERM were collected following eye surgery. AQP1 mRNA and protein expressions were determined by RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence in the membranes from PVR and ERM. Results. AQP1 mRNA and protein were expressed in both PVR and ERM as shown by RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence. AQP1 protein expression was heterogeneous among and between PVR and ERM and colocalized with alpha-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) and with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). There were a higher percentage of cells coexpressing AQP1 and αSMA than AQP1 and GFAP. GFAP and αSMA did not colocalize. Conclusion. Our data show for the first time AQP1 expression in both PVR and ERM. AQP1 is expressed mostly by the αSMA-positive cells, presumably myofibroblasts, but also by GFAP-positive cells, assumed to be glial cells. These original findings warrant further functional investigations aiming at studying the potential role of AQP1 in cell migration and proliferation occurring during the development of PVR and ERM.