Intravitreal ranibizumab after PRP was associated with a larger reduction in FLA at week 48 compared with PRP alone in eyes with high-risk PDR, and the adjunctive use of IVR appears to protect against the modest visual acuity loss and macular swelling observed in eyes treated with PRP alone.

In Manaus, Amazonas State, Brazil, the degree of individual exposure to leishmaniasis is related to disorganized land occupation. In order to evaluate predisposing factors for an outbreak, confirm the parasitological diagnosis, treat patients, and assess etiological agents, reservoirs, and vectors, a 12-month study was conducted in Manaus in a community located along the BR-174 federal highway. Some 451 individuals were studied, among whom 17 cases of American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) were diagnosed (six women and 11 men). Age varied from one to 64 years. Eleven patients had from one to three lesions. As for reservoirs, three opossums were captured. No hemoflagellates were found in the blood tests. Lutzomyia umbratilis was the predominant vector species captured. Many ATL patients were engaged in activities that exposed them to Leishmania vectors. Some patients may have been infected in the household and peridomiciliary environments. The epidemiological profile of ATL in this community is similar that of other foci in the region. This case series characterizes ATL as an endemic local public health problem.

NCT00690768.

Association between Mansonella ozzardi infection and corneal lesions with no evident etiology was observed in this study, but the lack of conclusive findings on histopathology and PCR make us doubt the corneal involvement in mansonelliasis. Large studies of high mansonelliasis prevalence populations and extensive employment of microfilaria identification tests in ocular tissue are needed to evaluate the microfilaria corneal pathogenicity.

No abstract