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Biomedical subjects

C Ferrer

Publications and source records attributed to C Ferrer.

59 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Endogenous endophthalmitis by Propionibacterium acnes associated with leflunomide and adalimumab therapy.

PURPOSE: To report a case of unusual endogenous endophthalmitis associated with the use of leflunomide and adalimumab. METHODS: A 48-year-old woman on treatment with leflunomide and adalimumab for rheumatoid arthritis developed an endogenous endophthalmitis caused by Propionibacterium acnes. Diagnosis was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and positive cultures. The patient underwent surgical treatment and intravitreal vancomycin, but the eye developed retinal fibrosis and untreatable retinal detachment. RESULTS: This report of endogenous endophthalmitis associated with the use of anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (anti -TNF-a) drugs is consistent with those in the literature. P. acnes may induce pathologic reactions in compromised patients and cause endophthalmitis, but only after ocular surgery or in intravenous drug users. The Naranjo probability scale indicated a probable relationship between the drugs and the infection. CONCLUSIONS: Awareness of atypical infectious conditions in patients on anti-TNF-a drugs is critical for early diagnosis and good outcome.

Adalimumab↗

Diode laser photocoagulation in retinopathy of prematurity.

We used diode laser photocoagulation to treat 22 eyes of 12 patients with retinopathy of prematurity. Three infants were followed for at least six months and nine for at least one year. We treated 14 eyes with threshold disease and 8 eyes with prethreshold disease. The treatment was administered within 72 hours of diagnosis and topical anesthesia and sedation were used. No evidence of lesions of the anterior segment of preretinal or vitreous hemorrhages was found after the treatment. External inflammatory signs were neglibible. Systemic complications occurred only in three treatment sessions. Eight of the 14 eyes with threshold disease (57%) and all eight eyes with prethreshold disease had favorable outcomes. In total 73% with ROP had favorable outcomes. Treatment with the diode laser is easily performed, effective essentially in cases of prethreshold disease but in threshold disease too, with minimal ocular or systemic complications.

Anesthesia, Local↗

[Behçet's syndrome with neurological involvement: value of magnetic resonance].

Behçet's syndrome is a rare inflammatory, multisystemic disease of unknown etiology and chronic relapsing course, manifested chiefly by ocular and mucocutaneous lesions. Among its neurologic complications, a cerebral vasculitis can occasionally been observed, upon which there is little information at present. A 31-year-old man presented with fever, weight loss, oral and genital ulcers, blurred vision and memory loss during the last two months. The cerebrospinal fluid contained 170 lymphocytes/microliters. Computed Tomography and cerebral angiography were normal. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed small hyperintense lesions in the corticomedullary and periventricular regions. The patient's condition improved with corticosteroids. We stress upon the importance of MRI to detect small-vessel vasculitis in Behçet's disease.

Adult↗