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Aqueous chlorhexidine was associated with a low rate of postinjection endophthalmitis and was well tolerated by patients.

The microbiome located within a given host and its organs forms a holobiont, an intimate functional entity with evolutionarily designed interactions to support nutritional intake and reproduction. Thus, all organs in a holobiont respond to changes within the microbiome. The development and function of the central nervous system and its homeostatic mechanisms are no exception and are also subject to regulation by the gut microbiome. In order for the holobiont to function effectively, the microbiome and host must communicate. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor is an evolutionarily conserved receptor recognizing environmental compounds, including a number of ligands produced directly and indirectly by the microbiome. This review focuses on the microbiome-gut-brain axis in regard to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling pathway and its impact on underlying mechanisms in neurodegeneration.

Purpose Tooth loss or periodontal disease is associated with systemic endothelial dysfunction, which has been implicated in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). The relationship between oral health and POAG has received limited attention. Thus, we evaluated the association between oral health history and risk of POAG and POAG subtypes. Design Prospective cohort study Participants Health Professionals Follow-up Study participants (40,536 men) followed biennially from 1986 to 2012. At each 2-year risk period, eligible participants were 40+ years old, free of POAG, and reported eye examinations. Methods Using validated questions, we updated participants' status on number of natural teeth, teeth lost, periodontal disease with bone loss and root canal treatments. Main Outcome Measures During follow-up, 485 incident cases of POAG were confirmed with medical records and classified into subtypes defined by intraocular pressure (IOP) (≥ or < 22 mm Hg) or by visual field (VF) loss pattern at diagnosis (peripheral loss only or early paracentral loss). Multivariable relative risks (MVRR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated. Results Number of natural teeth, periodontal disease or root canal treatment were not associated with POAG. However, compared to no report of tooth loss, a report of losing teeth within the past 2 years was associated with a 1.45 fold increased risk of POAG (95% CI=1.06, 1.97); in particular, a report within the past 2 years of both losing teeth and having a prevalent diagnosis of periodontal disease was associated with 1.85 fold increased risk of POAG (95% CI=1.07, 3.18). The associations with recent tooth loss was not significantly different for the POAG subtypes (p for heterogeneity ≥ 0.36), although associations were strongest in relation to the POAG subtypes with IOP < 22 mm Hg (MVRR = 1.93, 95% CI=1.09, 3.43) and with early paracentral VF loss (MVRR = 2.27, 95% CI=1.32, 3.88). Conclusion While the number of natural teeth was not associated with risk of POAG, recent tooth loss was associated with an increased risk of POAG. Because these findings may be due to chance, they need confirmation in larger studies.