Objective: This study seeks to evaluate the efficacy and practicality of the molecular method, compared to the standard microbiological techniques for diagnosing fungal keratitis (FK). Methods: Patients with eye findings suspected of FK were enrolled for cornea sampling. Scrapings from the affected areas of the infected corneas were obtained and were divided into two parts: one for smears and cultures, and the other for nested PCR analysis. Results: Of the 38 eyes, 28 were judged to have fungal infections based on clinical and positive findings in the culture, smear and responses to antifungal treatment. Potassium hydroxide, Gram staining, culture and nested PCR results (either positive or negative) matched in 76.3, 42.1, 68.4 and 81.6%, respectively. Conclusion: PCR is a sensitive method but due to the lack of sophisticated facilities in routine laboratory procedures, it can serve only complementarily and cannot replace conventional methods.

Local injection of bevacizumab has a significant effect on inhibition of alkali burn-induced corneal neovascularization. This shows the potential value of bevacizumab in the treatment of corneal neovascularization.

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IntrOductIOnWith an incidence rate of 9%, dry eye syndrome is a common condition that causes different amounts of discomfort and disability, especially in patients over 40 years of age. It can result in visual disturbance and instability in the tear film, due to the increase of tear film osmolarity and inflammation of ocular surface, or the overall lack of an appropriate and stable tear film [1,2].A well-formed tear film is required for nourishing, lubricating, and protecting the ocular surface. Tear film instability may be caused by the dysfunction of any lachrymal or meibomian gland: eyelids, cornea, conjunctiva, or the connecting neural reflex circles.Dry eye has been divided into two distinct etiological groups: Aqueous Tear Deficiency (ATD) and evaporative dry eye. The first group is further divided into Sjögren's syndrome and non-Sjögren causes of lachrymal gland dysfunction. The second group includes intrinsic MGD and extrinsic causes (contact lens wear or ocular surface diseases, such as allergy) [1,2].

Besides the widely accepted use of bevacizumab in cancer therapy and chorioretinal neovascularization, the initial, striking, short-term response and patients' high tolerance of local bevacizumab therapy offer encouraging results for the potential role of anti-VEGF agents in treating anterior segment neovascular disorders. Controlled prospective trials are needed to establish the long-term safety, efficacy, and dosing guidelines for the use of anti-VEGF agents in anterior segment neovascularization.

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Background:Recurrence of Hepatitis B Virus infection in patients undergoing liver transplanted (LT) is a serious and often fatal problem. Lamivudine (LAM) and Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin (HBIG) are widely used to manage hepatitis B recurrence after liver transplantation. However, the outcomes in patients are less elucidated.Objectives:The current study aimed to evaluate the YMDD motif mutations profile among the patients undergoing LT infected with HBV and treated with LAM/HBIG at least for one year.Patients and Methods:Thirty patients with liver transplantation due to HBV were enrolled, while DNA level remained under detection limit of 50 IU/mL before transplantation and abnormal higher levels of liver enzymes after LT. The HBV genome detection was performed by two different Polymerase Chain Reaction methods following viral quantification by commercial Real-Time PCR. HbsAg detection, besides liver function tests were conducted as complementary assays. To assess nucleotide analogue mutations, the major part of polymerase gene (aa 80 - 240) was amplified by Nested-PCR, introduced to sequencing and subjected to phylogenetic analysis.Results:Totally, according to the laboratory criteria there were 13 cases with detectable HBV genome, while the mean liver enzyme levels were higher in recurrent patients and HBsAg was detected only in four out of the 13 cases. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that all isolated genomes belonged to genotype D. Critical M204I mutation, as a proof for resistance to LAM, was detected among 46% of the subjects and natural entecavir resistance (S202I) was also distinguished in one subject. Viral quantification showed higher titer in LAM resistant group in comparison to the group with undetectable drug resistance mutant (P > 0.05).Conclusions:Although the patients carrying M204I mutation were more likely to show lack of responses to LAM therapy, LAM replacing by other nucleoside/tide analogs plus HBIG maybe still effective in decreasing hepatitis B recurrence after liver transplantation. However, it is suggested that drug resistance test should be considered by clinicians during therapeutic management to avoid the following viral breakthrough.