Nocardia choroidal abscess in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

Purpose: Nocardia asteroides, a respiratory saprophyte in humans, may cause localized infection of the lungs in debilitated or immunosuppressed individuals. Haematogenous spread to the eye via the choroidal circulation may result in choroidal abscess formation. Method: We report the development of a choroidal abscess in the left eye of a woman treated with steroids and cyclophosphamide for systemic lupus erythematosus. Haematogenous spread of N. asteroides from a localized infection of the lung (empyema) is thought to have been the cause of the choroidal abscess. Results: Surgical drainage of the empyema combined with intravenously administered antibiotics resulted in resolution of the choroidal abscess and improvement of vision. Conclusions: A choroidal abscess, caused by haematogenous spread of N. asteroides, may respond to appropriate systemic antibiotic treatment alone and not require ocular treatment.     

Cerebrovascular diseases during pregnancy and puerperium

The case of a neonate with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) following intrauterine transfusions (IUTs) for Rhesus hemolytic disease (RHD) prompted us to undertake a retrospective study (1995?–?2002) to determine whether there is an association between IUT and NEC. Maternal and neonatal demographics, and details concerning IUT and definite (???Stage II) NEC, were collected. χ² tests of association were performed. In our population 281/38?200 (0.73%) pregnancies were complicated by RHD. Fetal anemia necessitated IUT in 25/281 pregnancies. Definite NEC occurred in 59/11?814 (very low birth weight?=?1874) neonatal admissions. Except for the index case, no other neonate developed NEC following IUT. No significant association was found between IUT and NEC.