Factor V:Q506 (factor V Leiden) is associated with venous thrombosis and has been reported to be a risk factor for retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA), also associated with RVO, are a marker for the prothrombotic condition antiphospholipid syndrome, in which antiendothelial antibodies (AECA) are also frequently present. This study reviewed 45 younger patients ≤55 years old (21 with branch, 22 with central and 2 with hemispheric RVO) to examine: (1) the rôle of factor V:Q506 in the pathogenesis of RVO, and (2) the prevalence and titre of ACA and AECA in this group. No patient had the factor V:Q506 mutation indicating no increase in frequency above background. Our data suggest that primary screening for factor V:Q506 is not indicated for young patients with RVO who do not have historical evidence suggesting familial thrombophilia. Twenty-nine patients had low-titre ACA (>10 GPL units); in 6 of these, the titre was >20 GPL units (population reference range = 0–10 GPL units). No patient had antiendothelial cell reactivity. The low-titre ACA may therefore represent a non-specific response to vascular injury.

Awareness of infections which are transmitted between animals and humans have been given prominence following the (COVID-19) pandemic. The Orf infection in humans is rare. Recognition of Orf lesions avoids misdiagnosing and incorrect treatment. We present a case of a Scottish-farmer with pain and discomfort from a lesion on her finger.

Summary Castleman's disease may cause systemic symptoms with biochemical and haematological disturbances (Featherstone et al. 1990). These usually resolve completely soon after surgical removal of the abnormal mass. We report two cases of infertility associated with the systemic disturbances of abdominal Castleman's disease. Both women conceived less than one year after removal of the ‘tumour’ and delivered normal infants.

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