Persistent and Severe Mpox Keratitis Despite Systemic and Topical Treatment

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to report a case of peripheral ulcerative keratitis in a patient diagnosed with corneal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and a positive mpox culture.

METHODS

This is a case report.

RESULTS

An immunocompetent 54-year-old man was diagnosed with conjunctivitis in his left eye 15 days after being diagnosed with mucocutaneous monkeypox. He received treatment with dexamethasone 0.1% and tobramycin 0.3% eye drops for 2 weeks. Two weeks after discontinuing this treatment, he developed peripheral ulcerative keratitis and a paracentral epithelial defect. Mpox keratitis was diagnosed by corneal culture and PCR. Corneal inflammation persisted for more than 6 months, manifested as corneal epithelial defect, limbitis, endotheliitis, neurotrophic changes, and trabeculitis. This persistence was observed alongside positive corneal PCR results, despite undergoing 2 courses of trifluorothymidine, 2 courses of oral tecovirimat, and intravenous cidofovir. An amniotic membrane transplantation was then performed.

CONCLUSIONS

Persistent corneal pain and replication are possible with the mpox virus, even in immunocompetent patients. Having received treatment with topical corticosteroids before antiviral treatment for the pox virus may have contributed to the severity and persistence of the clinical condition. Cycle threshold PCR values can be used to support the diagnosis and monitor treatment effectiveness.

Prognostic factors in myelodysplasic syndromes: a multivariante analysis in 138 patients

A multivariate analysis of clinical, biochemical and hematologic data was performed in 138 patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) in order to evaluate their prognostic significance. The most important individual variables, isolated in a previous univariate analysis, were placed in a multiple regression modeling procedure to identify major prognostic factors. Multivariate analysis tends to identify prognostic variables containing significant predictive information. Characteristics were examined on both continuous and binary bases. The FAB classification was the first parameter entered in regression equations of both models, followed by platelet count, systemic symptoms, bone marrow blast and infection. Our analysis confirms FAB classification as the best prognostic factor in MDS. It supports the previously predictive value of platelet count, hemoglobin level and bone marrow blast and recognizes the importance of systemic symptoms and infection as prognostic characteristics in MDS.