scholarly journals Immunopharmacology in Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis: Current and Future Perspectives

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 658
Author(s):  
DeGaulle I. Chigbu ◽  
Bisant A. Labib

Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a complex and chronic, multifactorial Th2 cell-mediated chronic ocular surface inflammatory condition that typically affects predominantly male children in hot or warm climates. The primary symptom is intense ocular pruritus, often significant enough to affect activities of daily living. Clinical features differ from simple forms of allergic conjunctivitis in that they are more-or-less confined to the superior tarsus and limbus. There is also a risk of corneal involvement, which leads to irreversible vision loss in approximately 6% of patients. Right now, there is no standardized treatment protocol, and many of the currently available options are not effective in severe and recurrent cases. As such, it is imperative to understand this complex allergic immune response in order to identify future therapeutic targets. This review will focus on potential drug targets in VKC, with particular emphasis on immunomodulators and immunobiologic agents.

2019 ◽  
Vol 160 (9) ◽  
pp. 329-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita Csorba ◽  
Anna Soproni ◽  
Otto Maneschg ◽  
Zoltán Zsolt Nagy ◽  
Anna Szamosi

Abstract: The prevalence of allergic diseases has been increasing recently. Allergy has various symptoms. Allergic eye diseases (seasonal and perennial allergic conjunctivitis, vernal keratoconjunctivitis, atopic keratoconjunctivitis, giant papillary conjunctivitis, contact blepharoconjunctivitis) are common in atopic patients. Treatment options for allergic conjunctivitis include local and systemic antihistamines, mast cell stabilizers, dual-action agents, vasoconstrictors and corticosteroids. Treatment seems easy, but inappropriate therapy – in extreme cases – can lead to vision loss. Corticosteroid eyedrops provide effective relief of symptoms, however, their use is limited due to their severe side effects. Both steroid-induced cataract and steroid-induced glaucoma are dangerous for vision. The characteristics, frequency and risks of these side effects have been studied widely in adults, but there are very few studies focused on children. According to the present studies, the side effects of topically administered corticosteroids appear more often in children than in adults. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(9): 329–337.


1997 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 372-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. FUJISHIMA ◽  
M. TAKEYAMA ◽  
T. TAKEUCHI ◽  
I. SAITO ◽  
K. TSUBOTA

2009 ◽  
Vol 37 (05) ◽  
pp. 314-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Keller ◽  
K. Meichner ◽  
S. Unterer ◽  
K. Hartmann ◽  
I. Zenker

Summary Objective: Severe thrombocytopenia is a common sequelae to heat stroke in dogs. So far it has been hypothezised that it is due to disseminated intravascular coagulation. We hypothezised that it is due to immune mediated destruction via antiplatelet antibodies. Material and methods: Prospective evaluation of dogs with heat stroke from May 2005 to August 2008. Dogs that developed severe thrombocytopenia within 5 days of admission were included in the study. All dogs were treated with a standardized treatment protocol. In addition, they received either immunoglobulins or prednisolone. Results: Six dogs were presented with heat stroke during that time period. Four developed a severe thrombocytopenia. All four dogs tested positive for antiplatelet antibodies and did not have elevated D-Dimers at that time. Platelet count in three dogs recovered fully, one dog was euthanized due to liver and renal failure. Conclusion: In those cases thrombocytopenia was due to immune mediated destruction not due to DIC. Clinical rele-vance: Due to the severity of the thrombocytopenia and the high risk for bleeding in those patients, immunosuppressive therapy in addition to DIC prophylaxis should be discussed.


Pilomyxoid astrocytoma (PMA) is an atypical subtype of pilocytic astrocytoma (PA), which presents in children and young adults. The incidence of PMA is low, so there is no standardized treatment protocol for it. Here, we present a 62-year-old woman with recurrent PMA, which is important for the understanding and treatment of the disease.


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