Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:3.2.1.17 (lysozyme)
 21,489 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The lysozyme level in tears of patients with HSV eye infection was examined and correlated with the clinical findings and presence of virus. The concentration of the enzyme in tears of patients during acute attack was 2.83 mg./ml. This value was significantly lower than that in tears from healthy controls (6.1 mg./ml.) and tears from the patient's healthy eye (4.46 mg./ml.). After termination of treatment with either IUDR or poly I:C, the lysozyme level rose to an average of 4.34 mg./ml. During the latent period of the disease the level increased (5.34 mg./ml.), but it remained lower than in healthy subjects who had never suffered from HSV eye infection. This may be an indicator of possible future recurrences.
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PMID:Lysozyme tear level in patients with herpes simplex virus eye infection. 19 44

A combination of mechanical, anatomical, immunological, and microbiological factors prevent infection of the outer eye. Mechanical and anatomical factors include the intact epithelium of the conjunctiva and cornea and the constant blinking action of the eyelids. Tear components that play a role in eye defense include lysozyme, immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, and betalysin. The normal bacterial flora of the conjunctiva may also have an inhibitory effect on the survival of more pathogenic species. The eye is linked to the common mucosal immune system, thus gaining the benefits of a system of microbial defense which is primed in the gastrointestinal tract, where a continuing large antigen load is capable of stimulating ongoing immune protection. The relative roles of the various factors contributing to prevention of eye infection remain to be fully defined.
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PMID:Mucosal defense of the outer eye. 940 69