Topical antibiotic prophylaxis for cataract surgery: a controlled trial of fusidic acid and chloramphenicol

The effectiveness of topical fusidic acid 1%, in a viscous drop base, to reduce or eliminate ocular microflora in patients undergoing cataract surgery has been studied. Forty-two patients received fusidic acid on a double-blind basis and for comparison 21 patients were similarly assessed with topical chloramphenicol. A further 17 patients received no treatment other than subconjunctival cephazolin administered to all operated eyes at the time of surgery. Quantitative bacterial counts from the conjunctivae and lash lines of each patient were made 24 hours before surgery, on the morning of operation and again 48 hours after surgery. With a regimen of five administrations on the day prior to surgery, neither topical fusidic acid 1.0% nor chloramphenicol 0.5% produced clinically or statistically significant reductions of the ocular microflora. In contrast perioperative subconjunctival cephazolin effectively reduced or eliminated lid and conjunctival microflora following surgery. This study indicates that the effectiveness of a topical antibiotic preparation for overt ocular infection cannot be directly extrapolated to the effect on resident ocular microflora, at least with short-term use for presurgical prophylaxis.     

Campylobacter jejuni myocarditis

A case of Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) myocarditis in a young man is described. C. jejuni was isolated from the patient's stools and he developed specific antibodies to this organism. Tests for other etiological agents (Salmonella, Shigella, Brucella abortus, β-hemolytic streptococcus Group A, Treponema pallidum and coxsackievirus B) proved negative.     

A Further Example of Kpa/Ko Exhibiting Depression of some Kell Group Antigens

Abstract. This paper gives details of a family in which there are numerous examples of the heterozygous K^o state. The Study was initiated by the presence of anti-Kp^b in the serum of the propositus. Reactions with anti-k, anti-Ku, anti-Js^b and anti-K13 confirm that the K^o gene in trans with Kp ^a results in weaker expression of these Kell antigens. One example of anti-k showed some evidence of dosage effect with kKp^b/K° cells, but these results were not confirmed by quantitation studies.