The authors investigated the efficacy of antibiotic irrigation as the therapeutic option in congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. We retrospectively reviewed the medical record of 76 patients' eyes in whom congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction had been diagnosed. In 50 of these patients, the colonizing microorganism was identified and, irrigation through canaliculi was performed using antibiotics of suitable sensitivity. Nasolacrimal system probing was performed on 26 patients as the control group. Treatment was regarded successful when over a 4 week period epiphora or mucous discharge disappeared and when saline passed without resistance on irrigation. 96.0% of patients in the irrigation group and 84.6% of patients in probing group were treated successfully. There was no statistical difference in the success rate between the two groups (P = 0.173). The recovery period based on culture results was 3.22 +/- 0.37 months in the group in which microorganisms were isolated and 2.39 +/- 0.35 months in the group in which no organisms were isolated. There were no statistically significant differences in the success rates between the group in which there was growth and the group in which there was no growth (P = 0.1308). Thus a similar result was obtained using nasolacrimal probing and canaliculus antibiotic irrigation in congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Antibiotic irrigation is a safe and simple therapeutic option in congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

Local cytokine concentrations are required for inhibition of tumor growth with less toxic side-effects. However, genetically engineered tumor cells secreting cytokines still induce toxicity and activate bystander cells. To circumvent such problems, membrane-bound forms of IL-4 (IL-4m) were expressed on MethA fibrosarcoma tumor cells. Chimeric forms of IL-4 with the type I transmembrane protein CD4 or type II transmembrane protein TNF were designed to express IL-4 in opposite orientations on the tumor cell surface. The IL-4m on tumor clones was able to support cell growth of the IL-4 dependent cytotoxic cell line (CT.4S) and

The purpose of this report is to document an unusual case of implant infection in a patient who had undergone enucleation and hydroxyapatite orbital implant surgery. A 32-year-old woman presented with chronic orbital discomfort and discharge following a history of hydroxyapatite orbital implant surgery at another hospital 4 years previous. She exhibited profuse discharge with a yellow, creamy color and marked conjunctival chemosis. Granulation tissue was noted on the central conjunctival surface. Following the removal of the conjunctival granulation tissue, a central 3x5 mm conjunctival dehiscence was present with exposure of the hydroxyapatite implant. A culture of purulent drainage emanating from the exposed implant showed a growth of Clostridium acetobutylicum. Removal of the orbital implant was done. The implant was noted to be filled with pus. This case suggests that anaerobic infection may be suspected when the granulation tissue is observed and a discharge with a foul odor is found.