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Toxicity of Paederus species to eyes has scarcely been reported. This report presents a case of chemical blepharokeratoconjunctivitis with delayed re-epithelialization caused by Paederus fuscipes in a patient with dry eye after laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). A 47-year-old woman who had undergone LASIK for myopia 10 years prior experienced visual disturbance and pain in her left eye after being hit by a P. fuscipes insect in her eye 1 day prior to evaluation. At the initial presentation, dermatitis around the patient’s left eye, eyelid oedema, conjunctival chemosis, corneal epithelial defects, and a best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/200 were noted. No gram-positive/negative bacteria or indication of cellulitis/elevated inflammation was detected. Administration of topical steroids (betamethasone) and antibiotics (topical: cefmenoxime and levofloxacin; intravenous: ceftriaxone) improved the non-infectious chemical blepharokeratoconjunctivitis; however, the large corneal epithelial defect remained for 10 days. Switching from betamethasone to a preservative-free form facilitated re-epithelialization, and the patient’s BCVA improved to 20/16 after 2 months. Ophthalmologists should consider the toxicity of the Paederus species on the ocular surface and eyelid.

Abstract The adverse effects of hard contact lenses (HCL) on the corneal endothelium have been studied in the short term; however, long-term effects remain still unclear. In this study, we analyzed the effect of long-term HCL use on corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) and morphology in healthy Japanese individuals. This cross-sectional observational study included individuals using HCL for refractive errors examined at a single specialty eye hospital. Patient age, duration of HCL usage, ECD, coefficient of variation of the cell area (CV), and rate of appearance of hexagonal cells (6A) obtained via non-contact specular microscopy were assessed. We analyzed 8604 eyes (mean age: 35.6 ± 10.0 years, 837 males, 3465 females). The mean duration of HCL usage was 14.7 ± 9.1 (range, 1–50) years. Multivariate analysis revealed that ECD significantly correlated with age (P

Plants of the Araceae family exude a sap containing calcium oxalate, a toxic substance that causes dermatitis. However, ocular injury due to exposure to Araceae sap has rarely been reported. Herein, we present a case of severe pseudomembranous conjunctivitis following exposure to Arisaema ringens, an Araceae species and popular houseplant in Japan. A 67-year-old man presented with pain in his right eye after exposure to the sap of A. ringens. At presentation, the best corrected visual acuity and intraocular pressure in the right eye were 20/800 and 15 mm Hg. Slit-lamp examination showed strong hyperemia, conjunctival chemosis, and corneal edema with many pseudomembranes, and fluorescein staining revealed corneal epithelial defects in the central area of the cornea. We washed the ocular surface with saline and initiated treatment with topical instillations of 1.5% levofloxacin and 0.1% betamethasone, combined with ofloxacin eye ointment. After repeatedly removing the pseudomembranes and increasing the frequency of the topical instillations, pseudomembranous conjunctivitis and corneal erosion gradually improved. One week following the injury, the corneal epithelial defects were no longer detectable, and the patient’s best corrected visual acuity recovered to 20/25. It is important for ophthalmologists and primary care physicians to be aware of the ocular toxicity of A. ringens and should counsel their patients accordingly. Moreover, preventative measures, such as the use of protective eyewear, should be taken when cutting this houseplant.

Abstract In this study, sunset glow fundus was evaluated in patients with Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada (VKH) disease using polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT). We evaluated 40 VKH eyes (20 patients) and 59 healthy eyes (59 age-matched controls). VKH eyes were divided into three groups according to color fundus images: sunset (17 eyes), potential sunset (13 eyes), and non-sunset (10 eyes). Choroidal melanin thickness (ChMeT) and the choroidal melanin thickness ratio (ChMeTratio) were calculated based on the degree of polarization uniformity from PS-OCT. ChMeT was significantly lower in sunset eyes than in non-sunset or control eyes (P = 0.003). The ChMeTratios of sunset or potential sunset eyes were significantly lower than those of non-sunset or control eyes (P = 0.04). Regional evaluation of ChMeT and the ChMeTratio showed that choroidal depigmentation predominantly occurred in the macula’s outer ring area (P = 0.002). The areas under receiver operating characteristic curves discriminating combined sunset (sunset and potential sunset) from non-sunset eyes were 0.983 and 0.997 for ChMeT and the ChMeTratio, respectively. Time course evaluation of 12 eyes from disease onset showed that ChMeT and the ChMeTratio significantly decreased over time. PS-OCT may be useful for objectively evaluating choroidal depigmentation in patients with VKH disease.

Abstract In this study, the choroidal melanin content in healthy eyes was evaluated with polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT). We evaluated 105 healthy eyes of 105 Japanese subjects. The mean thickness of melanin-containing tissue in the choroid (thickness of MeCh) and the choroidal melanin occupancy rate within a 5-mm circular region from the foveal center were calculated using the degree of polarization uniformity obtained by PS-OCT and compared with the choroidal thickness, patient age, and axial length. To evaluate regional variations, the 5-mm circular region was divided into a center area and an outer ring area, and the outer ring area was further divided into four areas (nasal, temporal, superior, and inferior). The mean thickness of MeCh showed a significant positive correlation with the choroidal thickness. The mean choroidal melanin occupancy rate showed a significant positive correlation with age. The mean choroidal melanin occupancy rate of the center area was significantly larger than that of the outer ring area. The mean thickness of MeCh and choroidal melanin occupancy rate of the nasal area were significantly lower than those of other areas. The distribution of melanin-containing tissue in the choroid varies significantly with age and location.

Abstract Background Human herpesvirus 6B (HHV-6B) is known to cause exanthema subitem and has been detected in various ocular diseases, including keratitis, uveitis, optic neuritis, and endophthalmitis; however, the long-term outcome after the reactivation of HHV-6B has not been well-addressed. Sugita et al. previously reported the concomitant presence of HHV-6B with herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) in the aqueous fluid at the onset of corneal endotheliitis. We focused on the same patient with corneal endotheliitis, in whom both HSV-1 and HHV-6B sequences were observed, and reported the clinical course and long-term outcomes. Case presentation A 64-year-old woman was referred to our center for visual disturbances in the left eye. Her best-corrected visual acuity in the left eye was 0.5 and the left intraocular pressure was elevated to 33 mmHg. Mid-sized keratic precipitates and 2+ cells were observed in the anterior chamber with corneal endothelial edema and reduction of the corneal endothelial cell density to 1828 cells/mm2. The patient was diagnosed with corneal endotheliitis with increased intraocular pressure. Polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed the concomitant presence of both HSV-1 and HHV-6B sequences in the left aqueous fluid. After treatment with oral valacyclovir and topical betamethasone, her intraocular inflammation gradually improved and has not recurred at 12 years after corneal endotheliitis onset although corneal opacity remained. Conclusions Reactivation of HHV-6B infection might be associated with HSV-1 corneal endotheliitis; however, no serious late sequelae occurred after appropriate treatment for HSV-1 infection in this immunocompetent host.

Abstract A dual‐gate anti‐ambipolar transistor (AAT) with a two‐dimensional ReS2 and WSe2 heterojunction is developed. The characteristic Λ‐shaped transfer curves yielded by the bottom‐gate voltage are effectively controlled by the top‐gate voltage. This feature is applied to logic operations, with the bottom‐ and top‐gate voltages acting as two input signals and the drain current (Id) monitored as an output signal. Importantly, a single dual‐gate AAT exhibits all the two‐input logic operations (AND, OR, XOR, NAND, NOR, and XNOR) under optimized input voltages. Additionally, drain voltage (Vd)‐induced switching between AND and OR logic operations is achieved. These features are advantageous for simplifying circuit design.

Abstract We report on magnetotransport in a high-quality graphene device, which is based on monolayer graphene (Gr) encapsulated by hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) layers, i.e., hBN/Gr/hBN stacks. In the vicinity of the Dirac point, a negative magnetoconductance is observed for high temperatures > ~ 40 K, whereas it becomes positive for low temperatures ≤ ~ 40 K, which implies an interplay of quantum interferences in Dirac materials. The elastic scattering mechanism in hBN/Gr/hBN stacks contrasts with that of conventional graphene on SiO2, and our ultra-clean graphene device shows nonzero magnetoconductance for high temperatures of up to 300 K.

Abstract We aimed to investigate the cell density and morphology of the corneal endothelium in ophthalmologically healthy young Japanese, given the lack of normative data in literature. This observational study included eyes without ophthalmologic diseases, besides refractive errors, examined between 1996 and 2015 at Miyata Eye Hospital. Eyes with a history of ophthalmologic diseases or contact lens usage were excluded. Correlation of corneal endothelial cell density (ECD), coefficient of variation (CV), appearance rate of hexagonal cells (6A), and cell area with age were examined. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to determine the predictors of corneal parameters. We included 16842 eyes of 8421 individuals (19.6 ± 8.7 years). ECD was 3109.0 ± 303.7 cells/mm2 and significantly reduced with age (p

Background: The anti- Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) antibody test measures levels of IgA antibody against the glycopeptidolipid (GPL) core in the bacterial cell walls and is a useful clinical indicator of nontuberculous mycobacterium pulmonary disease (NTM-PD). However, it is not currently possible to diagnose the disease using anti-MAC antibodies alone. Objectives: The study aim was to assess the efficacy of the combination of anti-MAC antibodies and clinical findings for diagnosing potential NTM-PD. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 938 patients tested using the anti-MAC antibody. NTM-PD was diagnosed by multiple positive cultures of the same species in sputum samples. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify the clinical factors related to NTM-PD. Results: Overall, 19.6% (184/938) of participants were diagnosed with NTM-PD. In multivariate analysis, positive anti-MAC antibodies, low body mass index, absence of malignancy, and cavity-forming lung lesions were significantly associated with NTM-PD at diagnosis. The positive rates of the anti-MAC antibody test were 79.4% (135/170) for MAC and 55.6% (5/9) for Mycobacterium abscessus complex, respectively. Conclusions: Bronchoscopic examinations should be performed especially in certain types of individuals from whom sputum samples cannot be obtained. Anti-MAC antibodies are also positive in patients other than those harboring MAC, but the rate may be low because of the different components in GPLs.

Although a few cases of dermatitis or keratitis caused by exposure to the sap of Euphorbia trigona have been reported, we present a rare case of transient corneal endothelial dysfunction following exposure to the sap, resulting in corneal edema. A woman in her 70s complained of reduced vision, redness, and teariness in her left eye 2 days after exposure to the sap of E. trigona at home. Upon examination, hyperemia, serious corneal edema, and anterior uveitis with hypopyon were observed in her left eye, without corneal epithelial defects or keratic precipitates. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 2.0 (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution), and the measured central corneal thickness (CCT) was 812 µm. The patient was treated with topical instillation of 1.5% levofloxacin and 0.1% dexamethasone to reduce intraocular inflammation and corneal edema. Three weeks later, the BCVA reached 0, the CCT was 519 μm, and the corneal endothelial cell density was 3,233 cells/mm2. Six months after the injury, the patient had good visual acuity, and the cornea was completely transparent. No recurrence of corneal edema or anterior uveitis was observed. Exposure to the sap of E. trigona can lead to severe corneal edema with anterior uveitis, impairing visual acuity. Taking precautions to prevent the exposure of the eye to the sap of this plant is crucial.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to quantitatively evaluate retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) changes in serous pigment epithelial detachment (PED) among patients with age-related macular degeneration by means of prototype multi-contrast optical coherence tomography (OCT), which is capable of simultaneous collection of OCT angiography, polarization-sensitive OCT, and standard OCT images. We evaluated 26 eyes of 21 patients with serous PED. RPE-melanin OCT images were calculated from the multi-contrast OCT dataset and compared with near-infrared autofluorescence images. An active RPE lesion was defined as an area of thickened RPE-melanin (≥ 70 μm; RPE70) on RPE-melanin OCT. Each PED area was divided into peak and slope regions. RPE70 area ratios were compared with the maximum PED height, PED area, PED volume, and slope area ratio (area of slope region/area of whole PED). RPE-melanin OCT images were consistent with near-infrared autofluorescence images. The RPE70 area ratio in the slope region was significantly negatively correlated with the slope area ratio. Development of active RPE lesions in the slope region was correlated with the PED configuration. Multi-contrast OCT is useful for objective evaluation of changes in the RPE in patients with age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: Wolfram syndrome is a rare genetic disorder characterized by juvenile onset of diabetes mellitus with bilateral optic atrophy. We report a case of adult onset Wolfram syndrome with diabetes mellitus at age 22 and optic atrophy after age 40. The WFS1 gene sequence was analyzed in the patient and her father. Observations: A 46-year-old woman presented with bilateral vision loss. She had developed diabetes mellitus at age 22 and underwent bilateral cataract surgery at age 37. Visual acuity was 20/50 in the right eye and 20/200 in the left eye. The pupillary light reflex was sluggish in both eyes. Fundus examination showed bilateral optic atrophy, but there was no diabetic retinopathy. Cecocentral scotoma of both eyes was observed in Goldmann perimetry. There were no intracranial lesions on magnetic resonance imaging. Audiometry demonstrated high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss. Sequence analysis of the WFS1 gene revealed compound heterozygous mutation: c.908T>C p.L303P and c.1232_1233del, p.S411Cfs*131 in the patient and heterozygous mutation c. 908 T>C, p. L303P in her father. Conclusions and importance: The patient was diagnosed with adult-onset Wolfram syndrome with compound heterozygous mutations of the WFS1 alleles. Wolfram syndrome must be ruled out even in adult-onset diabetic patients with optic atrophy.

We report a case of open globe injury caused by Ardea albapecking that resulted in Escherichia colipanophthalmitis. A woman in her 70s complaining of ocular pain was referred to our hospital because her right eye had been pecked by an A. alba2 days earlier. Visual acuity in her right eye was reduced to light sensation. The right conjunctiva became hyperemic and edematous with swelling of the right upper eyelid. The upper side of the right cornea was densely cloudy with focal defect. Ultrasonography showed a thick sclera and choroid-like structure. Pathological investigation of a scraped sample from the infected site revealed gram-negative rods; E. coli was isolated. She had fever with elevated serum C-reactive protein levels and leukocytosis confirmed by laboratory examination. Topical levofloxacin and cefmenoxime and intravenous fosfomycin and aspoxicillin were initiated, but the right cornea melted near the perforated site with leakage of the eyeball contents on the next day. We decided to perform eye evisceration because of difficulty in controlling corneal melting and panophthalmitis. Her general state recovered the day after surgery. Orbital cellulitis improved gradually with normal C-reactive protein levels and white blood cell counts. As ocular injury caused by birds could become severe and cause ocular infection and visual dysfunction, it is important to exercise caution in the vicinity of wild birds, especially when they are aggressive.

Abstract This retrospective observational study compared long-term topographic changes after recurrent- and primary-pterygium surgery depending on pterygium size. Patients who underwent recurrent-pterygium excision between 2002–2013 and age, sex, and pterygium size-matched controls who underwent primary-pterygium surgery were included (33 eyes of 33 patients in each group). Pterygium size was graded per advancing edge position:

This study examined the treatment, clinical course, and prognosis of two patients who visited our institution with severe ocular fishhook-related injuries with complications. The first patient was a 57-year-old man injured in the right eye by a fishhook lacerating the right upper eyelid. Although no aqueous humor leakage was observed, intraocular hemorrhage was severe, and the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was “counting fingers” at 15 cm. The eyelid was sutured and vitreous surgery with cataract surgery was performed for traumatic cataract, vitreous hemorrhage, and retinal detachment. The patient experienced recurring iritis and the BCVA recovered to 20/100 eight months postoperatively. The second patient was a 62-year-old man who incurred a penetrating right-eye fishhook injury on a ship with BCVA of “hand motion.” The sclera and iris were ruptured with severe hemorrhage and a shallow anterior chamber without leakage of aqueous humor. A damaged lens and vitreous hemorrhage were observed with intraocular pressure of 38 mmHg. The ruptured sclera was sutured and vitreous surgery with lensectomy was performed. After 16 months, the BCVA improved to 20/40; however, glaucoma control was maintained by topical medication. Therefore, ocular fishhook-related injury could result in irreversible visual impairment. It is important to pay attention and protect the eyes from moving fishhooks during fishing. Plain language summary: There are few reports on fishhook injury of the eye with resulting complications such as retinal detachment. We present the characteristics of the injury, treatment, clinical course, and prognosis of two patients with severe fishhook-related injuries of the eye with complications. Following treatment, most complications, including vitreous hemorrhage, detached lens, and retinal detachment, safely resolved in these cases; however, both patients required further treatment for recurring inflammation of the iris or glaucoma. The visual acuity of both patients improved over several months. Fishhook-related injuries of the eyes might result in irreversible visual impairment. It is important to pay attention and protect the eyes from moving fishhooks during fishing.

Purpose: To report a case of uveitis with Behçet's disease in which serum levels of Krebs von den Lungen (KL)-6, a marker of interstitial lung disease, were elevated during treatment with adalimumab and returned to baseline after discontinuation of the agent. Observations: A 67-year-old man complaining of vision disturbance was referred to our hospital. The patient had a history of recurrent episodes of bilateral uveitis and oral ulcers, and had been diagnosed with Behçet's disease. While uveitis activity was not well controlled under administration of oral prednisolone and cyclosporin, cataract of the right eye developed and required surgery. Biweekly administration of adalimumab 40 mg was therefore initiated with prednisolone at 15 mg/day. Uveitis became well controlled and cataract surgery was successfully carried out for the right eye. However, serum KL-6 gradually elevated to 1002 U/ml by 6 months after adalimumab initiation and 1277 U/ml at 9 months. Because serum KL-6 >1000 U/ml has been reported to predict interstitial lung disease, we discontinued adalimumab and started cyclosporine at 100 mg/day. Serum KL-6 gradually decreased and returned to baseline levels, no interstitial lung disease developed and exacerbation of uveitis was avoided. Conclusions and importance: This case implies the clinical importance of monitoring serum KL-6 in patents with non-infectious uveitis being treated with adalimumab.

Chestnut burrs, the thorny encapsulation of chestnut fruit, can sometimes cause corneal injuries and ulceration, with poor prognoses. We report a case of corneal perforation and damaged anterior lens capsule due to a chestnut burr, using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). A 67-year-old woman with a chestnut burr injury in her right eye was referred to our hospital. Her right best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.8. Slit-lamp examination and AS-OCT showed perforation involving the endothelial layer at the center of the cornea. The iris and anterior lens capsule were damaged. Cell infiltration was observed around the wound. Bacterial examination showed gram-positive cocci but no fungi. The patient was diagnosed with a corneal perforation and bacterial keratitis. Levofloxacin 1.5% and cefmenoxime treatments were initiated and a soft contact lens was placed to seal the wound. On day 3, there was no improvement in the corneal cell infiltration, but AS-OCT suggested that the inner wound had closed. A culture test revealed the presence of Propionibacterium acnes, which was sensitive to both levofloxacin and cefmenoxime. Therefore, we continued the same antibiotic treatment. On day 26, the opacification and cell infiltration at the center of the cornea had improved. AS-OCT showed healing of the corneal wound with reduction in the central corneal thickness. Her BCVA improved to 1.0. AS-OCT was a valuable tool to noninvasively observe wound shape and detect the presence of any intracorneal foreign bodies.

Abstract The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the intraretinal migration of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) using polarimetry. We evaluated 155 eyes at various AMD stages. Depolarized light images were computed using a polarization-sensitive scanning laser ophthalmoscope (PS-SLO), and the degree of polarization uniformity was calculated using polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (OCT). Each polarimetry image was compared with the corresponding autofluorescence (AF) images at 488 nm (SW-AF) and at 787 nm (NIR-AF). Intraretinal RPE migration was defined by the presence of depolarization at intraretinal hyperreflective foci on PS-SLO and PS-OCT images, and by the presence of hyper-AF on both NIR-AF and SW-AF images. RPE migration was detected in 52 of 155 eyes (33.5%) and was observed in drusenoid pigment epithelial detachment (PED) and serous PED with significantly higher frequencies than in other groups (P = 0.015). The volume of the migrated RPE cluster in serous PED was significantly correlated with the volume of the PED (R2 = 0.26; P = 0.011). Overall, our results showed that intraretinal RPE migrations occurred in various AMD stages, and that they occurred more commonly in eyes with serous and drusenoid PED.

Um homem de 79 anos procurou tratamento no pronto-socorro com queixas de febre persistente, dor torácica e fadiga geral. A radiografia de tórax mostrou uma bolha gigante infecciosa (24 cm de diâmetro) no pulmão esquerdo. O paciente não tinha histórico de anormalidades em radiografias, e seu ultimo check-up médico no ano anterior não revelou anormalidades. Os procedimentos diagnósticos, incluindo broncoscopia, revelaram câncer de pulmão (carcinoma de pulmão de células grandes) no brônquio inferior esquerdo. O tumor obstruía a via aérea. Apesar de vários relatos de bolhas gigantes, a sua etiologia ainda é desconhecida. Nós sugerimos que uma obstrução, como a causada pelo tumor neste caso, pode causar aprisionamento aéreo, resultando na formação de uma bolha. No caso de uma bolha gigante que cresce rapidamente de tamanho, o câncer de pulmão deve ser incluído no diagnóstico diferencialA 79 year-old man sought treatment in the emergency room complaining of persistent fever, chest pain, and general fatigue. A chest X-ray showed a giant infectious bulla (24 cm in diameter) in the left lung. The patient had no history of abnormalities on X-rays, and his latest medical check-up, conducted in the preceding year, had produced no abnormal findings. Diagnostic procedures, including bronchoscopy, revealed lung cancer (large cell carcinoma) in the left lower bronchus. The tumor obstructed the airway. Although there have been various reports of giant bullae, their etiology remains unknown. We suggest that an obstruction, such as that caused by the tumor in this case, can lead to air trapping, resulting in the formation of a bulla. In the case of a giant bulla that rapidly increases in size, lung cancer should be included in the differential diagnosis

In an epizootiologic survey of 122 rodents captured in Vladivostok, Russia, antibodies positive for hantavirus were found in Apodemus peninsulae (4/70), A. agrarius (1/39), and Clethrionomys rufocanus (1/8). The hantavirus sequences identified in two seropositive A. peninsulae and two patients with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) from the Primorye region of Far East Russia were designated as Solovey and Primorye, respectively. The nucleotide sequences of the Solovey, Primorye, and Amur (obtained through GenBank) sequences were closely related (>92% identity). Solovey and Primorye sequences shared 84% nucleotide identity with the prototype Hantaan 76-118. Phylogenetic analysis also indicated a close relationship between Solovey, Primorye, Amur, and other viruses identified in Russia, China, and Korea. Our findings suggest that the Korean field mouse (A. peninsulae) is the reservoir for a hantavirus that causes HFRS over a vast area of east Asia, including Far East Russia.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between scleral mechanical properties, its birefringence, and the anisotropy of birefringence alteration in respect of the direction of the strain by using PS-OCT. METHODS: The scleral birefringence of thirty-nine porcine eyes was measured with a prototype PS-OCT. A rectangle strip of sclera with a width of 4 mm was dissected at the temporal region 5 mm apart from the optic nerve head. The strain and force were measured with a uniaxial tension tester as the sample was stretched with a speed of 1.8 mm/min after preconditioning. The birefringence of the sample was measured by PS-OCT at the center of the sample before applying, denoted as inherent birefringence, and after applying stretching of 6.5% strain. The birefringence alteration was obtained by these two measurements and correlations between birefringence and elastic parameters, tangent modulus, and structural stiffness were examined. Twenty and 19 porcine eyes were stretched in meridional or equatorial directions, respectively. RESULTS: A moderate positive correlation was found between the inherent birefringence and the structural stiffness. A moderate positive correlation was also found between the inherent birefringence and the tangent modulus. The birefringence increased by strains. Marginal significance was found in the birefringence alteration between meridional and equatorial strains, where the mean birefringence elevation by meridional strain was higher than that by equatorial strain. CONCLUSIONS: The birefringence was found to be altered by applying strain and also be related with inherent birefringence. This implies the birefringence of the sclera of the in vivo eye also could be affected by its mechanical property.

We describe a case of naturally acquired infection with Plasmodium knowlesi in Thailand. Diagnosis was confirmed by the small subunit ribosomal RNA and the mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences. The occurrence of simian malaria in human has signified the roles of wild primate populations in disease transmission in some malaria-endemic areas.