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Purpose: To quantify the optic nerve head (ONH) and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thickness in patients with Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) and compare the measurements with a healthy control group., Methods: In a comparative cross-sectional observational study, ONH and pRNFL thickness were evaluated in patients with a history of COVID-19, at least 2 weeks after recovery from the systemic disease, and compared with an age-matched, normal control group., Results: Thirty COVID-19 patients along with 60 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were studied. Mean average pRNFL thickness was 105.0 ± 16.3 µm in the COVID-19 patients, compared to 99.0 ± 9.0 µm in the controls ( p = .31). The pRNFL thicknesses in all sectors was higher in patients with a history of COVID-19; however, this did not reach statistical significance. Similarly, ONH parameters were not significantly different between the groups., Conclusion: Patients recovered from COVID-19 had unremarkable alterations in the peripapillary RNFL thickness., Abbreviations: ONH: Optic Nerve HeadRNFL: Retinal Nerve Fiber LayerSD-OCT: Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence TomographyCOVID-19: Coronavirus Disease 2019SARS-CoV-2: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2CNS: Central Nervous SystemACE: Angiotensin-Converting EnzymeRT-PCR: Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction.

Purpose: To evaluate ocular findings in patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the Northeast of Iran., Methods: In a cross-sectional, observational study all consecutive patients with confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis at the central referral center of these patients in northeast of Iran were included. Ocular examinations (external and slit) were randomly performed for the patients who were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and six COVID wards of the hospital. Moreover, Chart records and serum chemistry results were collected., Results: A total of 142 patients with the mean age of 62.6 ± 15 years (range: 23-96 years) and almost equal gender distribution (male: N = 77, 54.2%) were included in the study. During the initial external examination by the ophthalmologist, 44 (31%) patients were found to have conjunctival hyperemia and 22 (15.5%) patients had chemosis. Consecutive slit examination showed 41 (28.9%) conjunctival hyperemia, 22 (15.5%) chemosis, 11 (7.7%) cataract, and 9 (6.3%) diabetic retinopathy. The patients with at least one ocular manifestation had significantly higher blood urea levels at the time of admission compared to those with no obvious ocular involvement (median: 41.5, IQR: 28-66.3 vs. median: 33, IQR: 23.8-51.8, P = .023). Moreover, a significant difference was observed in the total white blood cell count, lymphocyte percent, neutrophil count, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), and blood urea level between patients with positive and negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for SARS-CoV-2 virus. None of the patients reported ocular symptoms prior to systemic involvement. The proportion of patients with at least one ocular manifestation was significantly higher in those admitted in the ICU compared to the non-ICU wards. wards. While conjunctival hyperemia was the most prevalent ocular finding in all patients, chemosis was the most common ocular manifestation in ICU admitted patients., Conclusion: Ocular manifestation was observed in more than half of our COVID-19 patients. Hence, it seems important to involve ophthalmologist in the diagnosis and management of these patients.

Background: Echinococcosis is a helminthic infection caused by ingestion of the eggs of the parasitic metacestode of one of four members of the Echinococcus genus. Among them, hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE) mimics slow growing liver tumour with subsequent invasion to liver tissues and metastatic dissemination. Liver transplantation (LT) remains as the only treatment option when the lesions exceed the resectability limits. We described the first three cases of HAE who underwent orthotopic LT in Iran. A literature review was also conducted to summarize experiences of different transplant centres around the world., Methods: PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases were searched up to April 2017 using keywords related to echinococcosis, liver and transplantation., Results: Including this case report, a total of 150 patients underwent LT due to echinococcosis from 1994 to 2017. The mean age at LT was 38 years (range: 12-71) and 51% were male. About 95% of the transplantations were performed due to HAE. Pre- and post-transplant benzimidazole therapy was considered in 69% and 73% of patients, respectively. Recurrence rate varied between 0% and 60%. The overall 1-, 5- and 10-year survival rates were 60-100%, 67-85% and 49-75%, respectively., Conclusions: LT combined with pre- and post-transplant benzimidazole therapy appears to be feasible and effective for patients with fatal HAE.