Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0022575 (keratoconjunctivitis sicca)
 772 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

A total of 209 pathological eyes each had 17 localities tested for sensitivity (cornea, caruncle, upper and lower lid margins (centrally, medially and laterally), and corresponding localities on the palpebral conjunctiva, and upper and lower halves of the bulbar conjunctiva). Reduced conjunctival sensitivity is seen in pemphigoid (excluding the lid margin) in contact lens wearers, at sites of nerves transected during operation and in rare cases of infectious conjunctivitis. Isolated corneal hypaesthesia is seen in bacterial or fungal keratitis. In herpes, the hypaesthesia extends over the bulbar conjunctiva, in zoster, over wider areas (including the lid margin). The sensitivity is normal in keratoconjunctivitis sicca and chronic conjunctivitis. In neurological diseases the hyposensitivity could include the cornea, conjunctiva and lid margin. The conclusion is drawn that a study of the conjunctivo-corneal sensitivity can give differential diagnostic information, provided the normal sensitivity range is known. This has been set out in a Table in 10-year age groups.
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PMID:Conjunctival sensitivity in pathological cases, with simultaneous measurement of corneal and lid margin sensitivity. 110 26

Evidence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) shedding in the saliva and tear film has been sought to explain the pathogenesis of the oral and ocular features of Sjogren's syndrome. Patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection are purported to have a higher incidence of keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Twenty patients with definite Sjogren's syndrome (primary and secondary), 19 with HIV infection, and 15 normal controls were recruited and studied. Human herpes viruses (EBV 1 and 2, CMV, HZV, and HSV-1) in tear film were detected by polymerase chain reaction of DNA extracted from Schirmer strips. HSV-1, VZV, and CMV were not detected in any tear samples. EBV-1 DNA was found in the tear film of 4 patients with Sjogren's syndrome, which was not significantly different from the control group (P = 0.18). Twelve patients with HIV infection had evidence of EBV-1 in their tears, which was significantly different from controls (P = 0.0002) and patients with Sjogren's syndrome (P = 0.014). EBV-2 was found in 3 patients with HIV and in 1 patient with secondary Sjogren's syndrome, and was always found as a co-infection with EBV-1 (P = 0.01). This represents the first report examining EBV types 1 and 2 in the tear film and also EBV in the tear film of patients with HIV. Shedding of EBV in the tear film was not related to the presence of keratoconjunctivitis sicca in Sjogren's syndrome. EBV-2 co-infection with EBV-1 has not been previously reported in the tear film. EBV infection is abnormally regulated in Sjogren's syndrome and HIV, and it is likely that the presence of EBV in the tear film is related to the patients' altered immune status.
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PMID:Epstein-Barr virus (types 1 and 2) in the tear film in Sjogren's syndrome and HIV infection. 1222 25

Sjogren's syndrome is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown aethiology. It is characterized by decreased secretion of salivary and lacrimal glands, which induces keratoconjunctivitis sicca and xerostomia. Sjogren's syndrome is a central autoimmune disease, and it has characteristics of both organ-specific and generalized autoimmune diseases. It can exist as a primary disease or is associated with other autoimmune diseases (most freyuently with systemic lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis) and is classified as a secondary Sjogren's syndrome. The aethiology is multifactorial, and it has not yet been completely explained. In the pathogenesis of the disease the important role have genetic predisposition, chronic oestrogen stimulation, end viral infections, especially of the herpes virus group (EBV, CMV, HHV6) and retroviruses. In the clinical picture xerostomia, xerophtalmia and non-erosive arthritis are the most common features, with the whole spectrum of extraglandular manifestations of respiratory, gastrointestinal, skin, and haematologic, neurologic and endocrinologic disturbances. Pathohistological findings of minor labial salivary gland lymphocyte infiltration is the most specific and the most sensitive diagnostic criterion of Sjogren's syndrome. The diagnosis of keratoconjunctivitis sicca is made by Schrimer's test, Rose bengal dye staining and by the "tear break up time". Differential diagnosis of Sjogren's syndrome includes an extremely large number of various pathologic states. The treatment of Sjogren's syndrome consists of symptomatic treatment of dry mucosas (artificial tears, etc.) and also of antiinflammatory drugs, glucocorticoids, immunosuppressive drugs. Plasmapheresis and intravenous administration of immunoglobulins are used for immunosuppression in these patients.
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PMID:[Sjogren's syndrome]. 1797 57