Gonococcal and chlamydial conjunctivitis and keratoconjunctivitis are potentially sight-threatening ocular manifestations of sexually transmitted infections. Recent epidemiological data indicate rising rates of gonorrhoea and chlamydia infections worldwide, raising concerns about a possible increase in associated ocular infections. This retrospective single-center study analyzed the frequency and temporal trends of laboratory-confirmed gonococcal and chlamydial ocular infections in adults treated at the University Hospital Zurich between January 2005 and July 2025. Clinical characteristics, treatment, complications, and outcomes were additionally assessed for gonococcal cases. We identified 17 gonococcal and 121 chlamydial conjunctivitis or keratoconjunctivitis cases over the past approximately 20.5 years. A marked increase in gonococcal cases was observed between 2021 and 2025 (p < 0.0001), during which 70.6% of all cases were diagnosed. Complications occurred in 41.1% of gonococcal infections, including one corneal perforation requiring keratoplasty. Although gonococcal conjunctivitis and keratoconjunctivitis remain rare, their recent increase and risk of severe ocular complications highlight the importance of early recognition and prompt treatment. In contrast, chlamydial conjunctivitis was more common, affected a younger population, and showed a significant declining trend, with an average annual decrease of 5% (p = 0.0015).

Background: Mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) is a chronic, debilitating disease associated with significant morbidity. Progressive fibrosis of affected mucosal surfaces may result in irreversible complications, including blindness secondary to cicatricial conjunctivitis, esophageal strictures, laryngeal stenosis causing airway compromise, and genitourinary scarring with functional impairment. The management of MMP is still extremely challenging. Objectives: To assess the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with MMP diagnosed and treated in our clinic during the past 5 years, and to analyze the evolution of the disease under conventional and biologic treatments. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of patients with MMP treated in our clinic between January 2021 and May 2026. Results: We identified eight patients with MMP. The time from onset of the disease until diagnosis ranged from 1 month to 10 years. Seven patients had already developed significant complications of the disease, including esophageal stenosis, vision impairment, or unilateral vision loss. The disease exhibited progressive worsening in all patients, despite treatment with glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants, or immunomodulatory medication. Rituximab was administered to six patients. Although disease control was achieved in all cases, continuation of systemic conventional treatment was required. The mean time to significant clinical improvement was 2 months. One patient suffered a severe relapse 12 months following rituximab administration and required additional doses. Conclusions: Based on our experience, we support the early use of rituximab in high-risk patients with MMP. Prompt diagnosis and early, aggressive treatment in the inflammatory phase are essential to prevent scarring.

Allergic eye disease (AED), including allergic conjunctivitis, is a prevalent immune-mediated disorder of the ocular surface characterized by itching, redness, tearing, and ocular discomfort. Although olopatadine (OLO) is widely used as an antihistamine and mast cell stabilizer, its broader effects on immune-mediated inflammation, neuropeptide-associated responses, and epithelial-mucosal changes in AED remain incompletely understood. This study investigated the multifaceted effects of OLO in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced AED mouse model. AED was induced in BALB/c mice by OVA sensitization and topical challenge, followed by OLO treatment during the challenge period. Clinical severity, scratching behavior, serum IgE, inflammatory cell infiltration (PMNs), mast cell degranulation, cytokine expression (IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β), macrophage infiltration (F4/80), iNOS expression, TRPV1, SP, and CGRP expression, ZO-1 expression, goblet cell density, mucin expression (MUC5AC), dysregulated cell proliferation (Ki67), and apoptotic cell death (TUNEL) were assessed. OVA challenge induced marked allergic responses, including elevated clinical scores, increased scratching behavior, elevated serum IgE, mast cell degranulation, inflammatory cell infiltration, and upregulation of Th2- and pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, OLO reduced TRPV1, SP, and CGRP expression, preserved ZO-1 expression and goblet cell density, and reduced excessive epithelial cell proliferation. Notably, OLO demonstrated multifaceted protective effects in AED, providing preclinical insights into its effects in experimental AED while acknowledging its established clinical use in humans.

Neonatal conjunctivitis is a common condition that can develop and progress at any stage of infancy, depending on the causative agent, including in otherwise healthy term infants outside of the NICU. Despite its frequency, there is no single, readily accessible reference that concisely integrates causative pathogens, presentation timing, and evidence-based treatment strategies. Given the multiple etiologies, each with distinct pathophysiology and management considerations, accurate identification is essential to prevent complications. This article highlights the most common causes of neonatal conjunctivitis, reviews the pathophysiology and clinical presentation, and provides recommendations for both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments. In addition, nursing implications for prevention, early recognition, and bedside management are discussed. A case study is included to enable readers to apply these concepts in a real-world context.

Background/objective: Kawasaki disease is an acute, systemic vasculitis most commonly observed in young Asian children. While the exact pathogenesis remains unknown, it is thought to be triggered by a pathogenic exposure that elicits an inflammatory response several days to 2 weeks before the onset of symptoms. Symptoms include edematous hands and feet, conjunctivitis, mucositis, a diffuse erythematous rash, lymphadenopathy, and a fever lasting for at least 5 days, which is required for diagnosis. In addition, coronary vessels may exhibit aneurysms, thrombosis, and stenosis. Without treatment, Kawasaki disease carries a 25% risk of developing coronary aneurysms. However, with the timely administration of intravenous immunoglobulin, this risk is reduced to 4%. Given the inflammation and possible thrombosis of the coronary vasculature, current guidelines recommend aspirin for the management of Kawasaki disease. Kawasaki disease is one of the few conditions in which administering aspirin to children is considered acceptable, despite the risk of inducing Reye syndrome, a potentially fatal condition triggered by a viral infection while taking salicylates such as aspirin. Therefore, this review addresses a key question: why continue to use aspirin with its known risk of Reye syndrome when alternative antithrombotic drugs used in pediatric patients are available? This review seeks to explore potential substitutes for aspirin to mitigate the risk of Reye syndrome while also providing the necessary anticoagulation in Kawasaki disease.