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To investigate the influence of age on the function and morphology of patients with myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV) and to evaluate the effect and prognostic factors of recurrence of Conbercept treatment on mCNV patients over 50 years. A total of 64 patients (64 eyes) with mCNV were enrolled in this retrospective study. The differences in baseline best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and morphological features on imaging between the younger group (˂ 50 years) and the older group (≥ 50 years) were analyzed. Of all, 21 eyes of 21 mCNV patients aged over 50 years who received Conbercept injection were further analyzed. Between the younger and the older group, significant differences were shown in mean BCVA (0.58 ± 0.28 vs 0.77 ± 0.31), subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) (108.17 ± 78.32 μm vs 54.68 ± 39.03 μm) and frequency of vitreoretinal interface abnormalities (VIA) (2 vs 13), respectively (P < 0.05). After treated with Conbercept, the mean BCVA of 21 older mCNV patients increased from 0.83 ± 0.30 at baseline to 0.49 ± 0.24 at one year. Baseline BCVA, external limiting membrane damage, CNV area and CNV location correlated with the visual acuity at the 1-year follow-up. There were 7 (33.3%) recurrent cases during the follow-up and the risk of recurrence in patients with baseline central macular thickness (CMT) ≥ 262.86 μm was 14 times greater than that of patients with CMT < 262.86 μm. The risk of recurrence increased 1.84 times for every 100-μm increment in the CMT. Patients over 50 years with mCNV had a worse BCVA, thinner choroid, and higher risk of VIA than young mCNV patients. The standard Conbercept treatment strategy was safe and effective in mCNV patients over 50 years. As patients over 50 years with a greater CMT have a high risk of recurrence, more attention should be paid on these patients by following them up closely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Pentastomiasis, a zoonotic parasitic disease, has been reported commonly in Africa and Asia. It is caused by pentastomes, which are annulated but unsegmented blood-sucking endoparasites. Fewer than 20 cases have been reported during the past two decades in China, and cases in children have been especially rare. Herein, we report three cases of pediatric patients with severe systemic symptoms, focusing on the clinical features, diagnosis, and therapy of this disease. The patients were two boys and one girl aged 3 to 13years. They all had a history of snake or worm ingested from snake and initial symptoms of fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss. Eosinophilia, anemia and elevated serum IgE levels were noted. Moreover, the large numbers of nodules, or even calcification, in the liver and/or lungs were noted by ultrasound, CT or MRI scans. These pentastomes were identified as Armillifer moniliformis, Porocephalus taiwana and Armillifer agkistrodontis. Praziquantel and mebendazole deworming treatments were adopted for the patients. Hence, pentastomiasis should be considered in the differential diagnosis for patients with multiple organ or system lesions, especially abdominal signs, that develop after the ingestion of snakes. Ultrasound, CT and MRI scans and laparoscopic approaches might be helpful for the diagnosis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]