A cross-sectional descriptive study to determine the frequency of ocular manifestations associated with systemic autoimmune diseases in a third-level hospital in Mexico.Records from 2014 to 2017 at...

Purpose: To establish the effects of anterior chamber inflammation (ACI) on the corneal endothelium parameters and central corneal thickness (CCT). Methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature review using medical databases (PubMed, EMBASE, VHL, and medRxiv) on March 8, 2023, for studies that included patients with ACI who had undergone specular microscopy or pachymetry. Case series with >10 patients, cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort studies were included. The risk of bias was assessed using CLARITY tools and validated scales such as those by Hassan Murad et al. and Hoy et al. A narrative synthesis and a quantitative standardized mean difference meta-analysis, I² heterogeneity assessment, and publication bias tests were conducted. The study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023420148) and approved by the Universidad del Rosario ethical committee (DVO005 2277- CV1712). Results: Thirty-four studies, encompassing 1,388 eyes with ACI, were included. Compared with healthy controls, overall, ACI eyes show significant mean differences in endothelial parameters (endothelial cell density (ECD), coefficient of variation (CV), and hexagonality (HEX)) (P < 0.05). In the subgroup analysis compared with healthy controls, both active and chronic-recurrent ACI demonstrated a reduced ECD. An increased CV was observed in active, inactive, and chronic-recurrent ACI. Lower HEX was evident in inactive, acute, and chronic-recurrent ACI, while both active and acute ACI exhibited high CCT. Conclusion: ACI leads to significant alterations in endothelial parameters and CCT. The primary contributors to these changes are increased IOP, uveitis duration, and intraocular surgeries. Further studies are needed to explore the impact of ACI etiology on the endothelium, potential biases in IOP measurements during acute ACI episodes, and the potential necessity for monitoring the endothelial parameters and CCT in patients with chronic ACI.

Occult HCV infection (OCI) is defined by the presence of HCV RNA in hepatocytes and/or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) without detectable HCV RNA or anti-HCV antibodies in plasma. OCI is underrecognized and may contribute to HCV transmission. This study estimated OCI prevalence and associated risk factors in adults from Mexico City. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted, analyzing 507 general population volunteers. Demographic data and potential risk factors were collected via questionnaire. Anti-HCV detection was performed using two techniques: immunochromatographic rapid test and chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA). Nested PCR was employed to detect HCV RNA in plasma and PBMCs. Positive samples were genotyped through sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the Core/E1 region. Results: Of 507 participants, four were anti-HCV positive. HCV RNA was found in PBMCs of 27 individuals, while plasma samples tested negative, indicating a 5.3% OCI prevalence. OCI was significantly associated with blood donation (p = 0.015), drug use (p = 0.019), particularly cocaine (p = 0.001), and endoscopy (p = 0.043). Genotypes 1b, 1a, 2b, 3a, and 2j were detected in OCI cases. Conclusions: OCI prevalence in Mexico City’s general population is notable, with significant links to blood donation, cocaine use, and endoscopy. Enhanced diagnostic strategies are crucial to detect OCI and mitigate HCV transmission.