Thursday, September 4, 2008

Abstract: Chlamydia infection and dry eye

Discussing possible link between conjunctival chlamydia infection and dry eye.

Vestn Oftalmol. 2008 Jul-Aug;124(4):16-9.
[To the role of Chlamydia infection in the development of dry eye]
[Article in Russian / No authors listed]


The study deals with the possible etiological role of Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma, and bacteroid infections in the development of chronic conjunctivitis and dry eye (DE). A hundred and fifty patients with DE and chronic conjunctivitis were examined. Conjunctival scrapes were examined by direct immunofluorescence for evidence of Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma, and bacteroid infections. DE was verified by the Schirmer test and the Norn test. Ninety-five (63.3%) persons were found to be infected. GE was diagnosed in 84 (56%) of the 150 patients. Analysis of infection rates revealed Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma as mono- and mixed infection in 63.3, 50.6, and 35.3, respectively, and bacteroids as mixed infection in 32.6%. Chlamydia was detected in the conjunctiva in the vast majority of patients with DE (90.5%). Chlamydia infection of the conjunctiva is one of the causes of artificial DE. Conjunctival Chlamydia affliction is manifested by the clinical picture of chronic slowly progressive inflammation with the progression of DE after a latent period of about 2-3 years.

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