Biomedical subjects

V Huber-Spitzy

Publications and source records attributed to V Huber-Spitzy.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

Penetration of cefpirome into the anterior chamber of the human eye after intravenous application.

The penetration of intravenously administered cefpirome into the anterior chamber of the non-inflamed human eye was investigated in this study. A total of 42 patients, all hospitalized for cataract extraction, received a dosage of 1 g or 2 g of cefpirome by iv infusion 1, 2 or 6 h preoperatively. An aqueous humour sample was collected immediately after paracentesis and a blood specimen was simultaneously obtained from each patient. All samples were analysed for cefpirome concentrations using high-pressure liquid chromatography. Mean aqueous humour levels of cefpirome in patients receiving a dosage of 1 g were 1.33 mg/L (1 h), 1.67 mg/L (2 h) and 1.29 mg/L (6 h after application), respectively. When patients received a dosage of 2 g cefpirome the resulting mean aqueous humour concentrations were 1.60 mg/L (1 h), 2.27 mg/L (2 h) and 2.39 mg/L (6 h after application), respectively. A statistically significant difference in aqueous humour concentrations between patients receiving 1 g or 2 g of cefpirome could not be proven. In conclusion, cefpirome penetrates well into the anterior chamber of the non-inflamed human eye in concentrations that are therapeutic for many gram-positive and gram-negative organisms, frequently responsible for anterior segment eye infections.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Corneal wound healing after superficial foreign body injury: vitamin A and dexpanthenol versus a calf blood extract. A randomized double-blind study.

A prospective randomized double-blind clinical study was performed to investigate corneal wound healing after treatment either with an eye gel containing calf blood extract or an eye ointment containing vitamin A and dexpanthenol. A total of 54 outpatients were included in this study, all treated for corneal foreign body injury. The size of the corneal lesions was measured by planimetry on days 0, 1, and on the following days until complete epithelial healing occurred. Results showed the calf blood extract eye gel to be statistically more effective in promoting corneal wound healing, especially in patients with wound areas larger than 6 mm(2).

Actihaemyl↗

PubMed1997

Bacterial growth in human vitreous humor.

The aim of this study was to investigate the capacity of human vitreous to support bacterial growth and to show differences in the growth kinetics of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Vitreous gel of 70 keratoplasty donor eyes was sampled under sterile conditions, screened microscopically for cellular components and tested for sterility and levels of antibiotic drugs by bio-assay. The samples were inoculated with clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus viridans and Streptococcus pyogenes. As control each strain was added both to 0.9% sodium chloride solution and to Mueller-Hinton broth. In order to determine bacterial growth the number of colony forming units was determined 4, 6, 24, 48 and 72 hr after inoculation by viable count. Vitreous gel did not support bacterial growth; the tested strains could not be recovered after 48 hr. Similar results could be obtained with sodium chloride; whereas in Mueller Hinton broth the strains showed normal pattern of growth. It seems that vitreous humor has inherent antibacterial capacity in vitro, although the responsible factors remain unknown.

Aged↗

PubMed1997

[Computer eyeglasses--aspects of a confusing topic].

With the coming into force of the new Austrian Employee Protection Act the issue of the so called "computer glasses" will also gain added importance in our country. Such glasses have been defined as vision aids to be exclusively used for the work on computer monitors and include single-vision glasses solely intended for reading computer screen, glasses with bifocal lenses for reading computer screen and hard-copy documents as well as those with varifocal lenses featuring a thickened central section. There is still a considerable controversy among those concerned as to who will bear the costs for such glasses--most likely it will be the employer. Prescription of such vision aids will be exclusively restricted to ophthalmologists, based on a thorough ophthalmological examination under adequate consideration of the specific working environment and the workplace requirements of the individual employee concerned.

Accommodation, Ocular↗

PubMed1996

[Contamination of intraocular fluid in pars plana vitrectomy].

UNLABELLED: Endophthalmitis after pars plana vitrectomy is rare, with an incidence of 0.05-0.14%. The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbiological situation during pars plana vitrectomy and to ascertain what organisms and how many enter the eye during the operation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-five consecutive subjects undergoing primary pars plana vitrectomy were included in the study. Patients were excluded if they had evidence of local or systemic infections or had undergone antibiotic therapy within 3 weeks before surgery. A standard three-port pars plana vitrectomy was performed on each patient. Preoperative smears of the conjunctiva and intraoperative aspirates of the vitreous were taken immediately after sclerotomy, and aspirates of the intraocular fluid at the conclusion of operation. RESULTS: We obtained preoperative smears from the conjunctival sac of all patients, and found that 19 patients (76%) had positive cultures, with coagulase-negative staphylococci as the most commonly isolated organisms, (n = 14; 56%). Vitreous--aspirated immediately after sclerotomy--was sterile in 68% (n = 17). In 32% (n = 8) contamination occurred, the microorganisms isolated being coagulase-negative staphylococci (20%) and Staphylococcus aureus (12%). Five of the samples (20%) of intraocular fluid from the vitreous cavity--aspirated before wound closure--were contaminated, coagulase-negative staphylococci (8%) and Staphylococcus aureus (12%) again being found in culture. In no case did postoperative endophthalmitis develop. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that bacteria enter the eye during pars plana vitrectomy and that there is a change in the contaminating bacterial species during operation. Even if bacteria remain in the eye after pars plana vitrectomy, postoperative endopthalamitis does not necessarily develop.

Aged↗

PubMed1995

Ocular side effects associated with 13-cis-retinoic acid therapy for acne vulgaris: clinical features, alterations of tearfilm and conjunctival flora.

Isotretinoin (13-cis-retinoic acid) is commonly used for the treatment of acne vulgaris. We included 55 patients in this prospective study, and inspected them before, while and after therapy with isotretinoin regarding ocular side effects. Careful slit-lamp inspection, measurement of break-up-time and Schirmer-test and microbiological investigations of the conjunctival flora were performed. While staphylococcus aureus was cultured from the conjunctival sac before application of isotretinoin in 7.3%, this percentage increased to 61.8% during therapy. A pathological decrease of break-up-time was realized in 69.1% of the cases, the development of blepharitis in 40%. But in spite of the alteration of conjunctival flora, bacterial conjunctivitis developed in just 7.3% of the cases. However, only 34.5% of the patients showed symptoms of a conjunctivitis sicca, in spite of the impressive diminution of break-up-time in so many cases. All ocular side effects of isotretinoin were treatable and disappeared completely within 1 month after stopping therapy.

Acne Vulgaris↗

PubMed1995

[Multicenter double-blind study with 0.25% timolol in Gelrite (TG) once daily vs. 0.25% timolol solution (TS) twice daily. German Study Group].

In a 12-week double-masked trial we compared the ocular hypotensive effect of 0.25% timolol in Gelrite administered once daily (TG) to that of 0.25% timolol solution administered twice daily (TS). A second objective was to compare the tolerability and the safety of these treatments. Timolol in Gelrite is a new topical formulation of timolol in an anionic heteropolysaccharide gellan gum. A total of 156 patients entered the study after an appropriate wash-out. The medication schedule included one drop of test drug in each eye at 9 a.m. (active drug for both groups) and 9 p.m. (placebo for the TG group, active drug for the TS group). At trough, the mean decrease from baseline intraocular pressure (after appropriate wash-out) ranged from 5.7 to 6.3 mmHg for the TG group and from 5.9 to 6.2 mmHg for the TS group. The difference between the treatment group means ranged from -0.4 to 0.4 mmHg. At peak, the mean decrease from baseline IOP ranged from 5.3 to 6.2 mmHg for TG group and from 5.1 to 6.1 mmHg for the TS group. The difference between the treatment group means ranged from -0.7 to 0.4 mmHg. The results of this study support the hypothesis of a comparable hypotensive effect at peak and trough of 0.25% timolol in Gelrite q.d. to 0.25% timolol solution b.i.d. Furthermore, timolol in Gelrite has an acceptable tolerability profile. The incidence of blurred vision was higher in the Gelrite group, but this different was not statistically significant. The incidence of foreign body sensation was significantly higher in the Gelrite group (P < 0.022).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

PubMed1995

[Isotretinoin administration in treatment of acne vulgaris. A prospective study of the kind and extent of ocular complications].

Isotretinoin (13-cis-retinoic acid) is commonly used for the treatment of acne vulgaris. In the skin this substance causes an atrophy of sebaceous gland acini and a decrease in sebum production. Systemic treatment also alters meibomian gland function and structure. These alterations seem to be responsible for ocular complications (dryness of the eye, blepharitis, conjunctivitis) during therapy with isotretinoin. We inspected 30 patients before, during and after therapy with isotretinoin with regard to ocular side effects. Examination included careful slit-lamp inspection, measurement of break-up time (BUT) and the Schirmer test. Conjunctival smears were taken from every patient. The most frequently observed side-effects were decreased tear break up time and alterations of the lid margin. In addition, an enormous increase of Staphylococcus aureus in conjunctival flora was noticed. However, all ocular complications of systemic treatment with isotretinoin were reversible after cessation of therapy.

Acne Vulgaris↗

PubMed1994

Different techniques of extracapsular cataract extraction: bacterial contamination during surgery. Prospective study on 230 consecutive patients.

This study was performed to investigate the correlation between the contamination of the anterior chamber and the technique of extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE). Three different methods were used: uncomplicated planned ECCE, phacoemulsification involving suturing method, and sutureless technique. All patients had posterior chamber intraocular lenses implanted. Two hundred and thirty consecutive patients were included in this prospective study, and preoperative smears of the conjunctiva and intraoperative aspirates of the anterior chamber were investigated. Samples of the aqueous humor were taken at the beginning and at the end of the operation. Cultures were incubated and held for 14 days. More than 71% of the preoperative smears were contaminated by coagulase-negative staphylococci, the most commonly isolated bacteria. However, 27% of the patients had culture-positive anterior chamber aspirates intraoperatively, also with coagulase-negative staphylococci as the most frequent organisms. In no case did postoperative endophthalmitis develop. Preliminary results in a small population show that the contamination of the aqueous humor is statistically significantly less frequent if the cataract extraction is performed by phacoemulsification than if it is done without phacoemulsification. Another interesting finding is that anterior chamber contamination is not significantly more frequent, if a sutureless technique is used for cataract surgery.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Bacterial contamination during extracapsular cataract extraction. Prospective study on 200 consecutive patients.

Postoperative endophthalmitis remains one of the most devastating complications of eye surgery. In recent years infections with so called 'nonpathogenic' organisms like Propionibacterium acnes or coagulase-negative staphylococci have gained in importance. 200 patients were included in this study, from whom preoperative smears of the conjunctiva and intraoperative aspirates of the anterior chamber (at the start and at the end of the operation) had been taken. All samples were investigated for aerobe and anaerobe microorganisms and fungi. 75% of the preoperative smears had been contaminated, with coagulase-negative staphylococci the most commonly isolated bacteria. But, in addition, 28% of the patients had culture-positive anterior chamber aspirates, also with coagulase-negative staphylococci as the most frequent organisms. In all cases inoculum sizes were extremely small (10-20 c.f.u./ml). Probably because of this small inoculum, but also due to the bacteriocidal qualities of the aqueous humor and the integrity of the posterior capsule sac, in no case had postoperative endophthalmitis developed. For the first time, our study tried to correlate the contamination of the anterior chamber aspirate to the used operation technique: first results show that the contamination of the aqueous humor is significantly lower (p < 0.03) if the cataract extraction is performed by phacoemulsification than if done without.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Canaliculitis: difficulties in diagnosis, differential diagnosis and comparison between conservative and surgical treatment.

The most important clinical features of canaliculitis include a red, swollen eyelid in the area of the affected canaliculus, a unilateral conjunctivitis, a mucopurulent discharge and in some cases dacryoliths visible in the lacrimal punctum. Conservative therapy was found to be little effective: only 10% of the patients could be cured, 40% showed a recurrence after conservative treatment. 20 patients (50%) were treated by canaliculotomy: 16 of these were cured by this surgical treatment, 4 patients complained of epiphora, although diagnostic syringing showed free lacrimal pathways. The surgical treatment of canaliculitis in combination with conservative therapy yields far better results than conservative therapy alone.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Treatment of traumatic tattoos with various sterile brushes.

BACKGROUND: Various types of brushes are efficient for the removal of foreign material accidentally projected into the skin by explosive or abrasive trauma. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate how different times between injury and treatment influenced esthetic results, we retrospectively evaluated 14 patients subjected to the brushing technique. METHODS: Two groups were identified. Group I had been treated within 24 hours of injury. In group II debridement had been performed later. RESULTS: Cosmetic results were strikingly better in group I. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that debridement of traumatic tattoos should be carried out as soon as possible to achieve favorable cosmetic results.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

[Corneal ulcer. Current analysis from specialized ambulatory care of a clinic].

A review of 115 cases of ulcerative keratitis that were diagnosed and treated at the specialized ambulatory care center for infectious eye diseases at the 2. Department of Ophthalmology over a period of eight years (January 1983-April 1991) is presented. In the analysis of the etiology nearly half (47.7%) were observed following a trauma to the epithelium, 38 (= 33.0%) were associated with contact lens wear and the third largest group (10.4%) was associated with lid problems. It is apparent that over the course of the last years the spectrum of microorganisms associated with this localized inflammation has shifted: the prevalence of Staphylococci (1983-1986 = 65%) has decreased, whereas the incidence of gram-negative rods increased (1987-1990 = 49%). In 19% Pseudomonas aeruginosa could be isolated, mostly associated with soft contact lens wear. A total of 37.5% of the staphylococci isolates were found to be resistant to gentamicin, most probably as a consequence of the widespread, indiscriminate use of this antibiotic. An updated treatment schedule is presented.

Ambulatory Care↗

PubMed1992

[Taenia crassiceps in the anterior chamber of the human eye. A case report].

An otherwise healthy 15-year-old girl developed an iridocyclitis in her right eye. A contractable living parasite measuring two millimeter could be detected in the anterior chamber, the other parts of the eye remained uninvolved. The patient had close contact with the young dog of the family. By using a viscoelastic substance the parasite could be removed alive without any complications. The tapeworm was found to be too young for having developed the characteristic scolex. Western-immunoblotting gave indirect evidence for infection with Taenia crassiceps, a dog's tapeworm. During an observation period of two years no evidence for any other ocular or general Taenia crassiceps infestations could be found.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

[Retinal lymphoma--simulating uveitis].

A rare form of malignant large-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or reticulum cell sarcoma is confined to the eye and central nervous system (CNS). We report the case of a 62-year-old man, who presented with recalcitrant progressive uveitis in his right eye. Although lymphoma was suspected, the patient refused to undergo vitrectomy. Over one year he developed large blister-like solid scattered lesions of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in the same eye. Repetitive neuroimaging detected no CNS involvement. After developing optic disc-swelling and discrete RPE-changes in the left eye also, the patient agreed to enucleation of his right eye. Histopathology and Immuno-histochemistry revealed malignant intraocular large cell-lymphoma invading all eye-tissues. Liquor cytology showed lymphomatous cells. Suffering from high grade malignant lymphoma with CNS ivolvement, the patient had to undergo radiation therapy of the orbits and neuroaxsis as well as intravenous and intrathecal chemotherapy. Papilledema of the left eye resolved quickly and completely, RPE-infiltrations disappeared and led to discrete punched out lesions with no scarring, the lens remained transparent over the whole observation period of 25 months. the patient has been surviving for more than 52 months after first suspicion of malignant lymphoma, he has retained full vision in his left eye until now.

Chemotherapy, Adjuvant↗

PubMed1992

Do HLA antigens play a role in intermediate uveitis?

A total of 52 nonrelated Caucasian patients (21 male, 31 female, age at onset of the disease: 7-74 years, average: 31.6 years) suffering from intermediate uveitis were tissue typed for 56 different HLA-A, -B, -C and -DR-antigens. No significant association between any specific HLA-antigen and the disease, both when comparing the total patient group with a large, healthy control population, or any of the different subgroups (male vs. female, early vs. late onset, mild vs. severe course) could be demonstrated.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Acquired dacryocystitis: microbiology and conservative therapy.

The dacryocystitis in adults is mainly caused by postsaccal stenosis of the lacrimal ducts. The banking up of the lacrimal fluid leads to an accumulation of germs and following infection. This report describes the clinical and microbiological findings in a large consecutive series of patients that presented at the outpatient clinic of the 2nd Department of Ophthalmology of the University of Vienna with the signs of acute, chronic recurrent or chronic infections of the lacrimal system between 1983 and the end of 1990. Within the bacterial genus Staphylococci (S. aureus, S. epidermidis and S. saprophyticus) were the most frequently isolated organisms (74 cultures = 50% out of samples with positive cultures). It was quite interesting that a significant number of gram-negative rods (37 = 25.5%) could be isolated. Of these microorganisms Escherichia coli was most frequently growing on special media (17 cases = 11.7%) when cultures were obtained from acute inflamed lacrimal sacs of patients who suffered from chronic recurrent infections. Conservative therapy of purulent dacryocystitis constitutes the last possible preparation for a necessary surgical intervention and therefore the authors want to point out the importance of microbiological examinations so as to optimize antibiotic therapy.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1992

Ulcerative blepharitis in atopic patients--is Candida species the causative agent?

A total of 50 patients suffering both from atopic skin disease and different clinical forms of blepharitis have been included in this study. Microbiological investigations (for bacteria and fungi) of the lid margins were performed in all cases. In 21 (42%) of the patients an ulcerative blepharitis which heavily involved the follicles of the lashes was diagnosed. The remaining 29 cases presented with blepharitis of the squamous type. The cultures revealed that 19 of the 21 patients with ulcerative blepharitis were found to grow Candida species, whereas fungi could not be detected in any of the other cases of blepharitis. The frequencies of concomitant bacterial organisms found in the cultures were similar in both groups. As atopic patients are known to exhibit a defect in their cell-mediated immunity and possibly also a defective IgA antibody response it is a widely accepted assumption that these immunological changes are contributing factors to the development of a localised inflammation of the lids which is initiated by a variety of micro-organisms. We postulate that when Candida species happen to coincide with severe inflammation in atopic patients a blepharitis of the ulcerative type will develop or deteriorate thereby implying that these microorganisms may play an important role in the development or deterioration of this severe chronic inflammation. It is therefore advisable to perform repeated scrapings and cultures in every case of recalcitrant blepharitis.

Adult↗