Sensitization and Clinical Characteristics of Congolese Children with Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis in Kinshasa

Sensitization to Aeroallergens in a Mexican Cohort with Allergic Conjunctivitis: A Cross-sectional Retrospective Study Conducted in Ángeles Puebla Hospital

This study aims to evaluate the sensitization distribution of aeroallergens in patients with allergic conjunctivitis (AC) living in a temperate subhumid region and to describe the prevalence in a Mexican cohort. A total of 761 patient records were revisited, including the results of the skin prick test (SPT) for 45 aeroallergens. We found 292 patients with AC and a positive SPT in a 5-year period. The most frequent aeroallergens include dust mites (69.2% for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and 47.6% for Dermatophagoides farinae), trees (36% for cypress and 22.6% for ash), animals (33.9% for dogs and 26.7% for cats), and grasses (21.2% for Paspalum notalum and 19.9% for Poa pratensis). Among the studied population, a prevalence of 38.4% for the disease was calculated. House dust mites were responsible for most sensitizations found in the studied population. There is a high prevalence of AC in the selected cohort during the period studied.

Prevalence and clinical characteristics of vernal keratoconjunctivitis in sub-Saharan Africa

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a chronic bilateral allergic inflammatory disease of the conjunctiva and cornea that affects children and young adults, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. A limbal form (tropical endemic limbo conjunctivitis) is thought to be more common in the tropics where research on this vision-impairing condition is scanty. We sought to review current literature from sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on the prevalence of VKC and its clinical presentation.

RECENT FINDINGS

There is a variable prevalence of VKC in SSA, up to 32.9% of children, especially in male individuals less than 5 years old, and has been diagnosed in a 4-month-old baby. Associated factors include exposure to dust, personal and family history of atopy, Vitamin D3 deficiency and HIV. The mixed form of VKC is the most frequent form seen and conjunctival pigmentation might be an early diagnostic sign.

SUMMARY

Childhood screening programs for VKC should be established to reduce the morbidity, decreased quality of life and school absenteeism that is seen in these patients. VKC-related research should be encouraged in this milieu to bring to light the particularities of VKC in SSA.

Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis: A Systematic Review

Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a chronic, bilateral corneal and conjunctival problem which typically presents in young individuals. VKC is characterized by itching, photophobia, white mucous discharge, lacrimation, foreign body sensation, and pain due to corneal involvement of shield ulcers. Vernal keratoconjunctivitis is categorized within ocular diseases. The diagnosis is clinical, as no sure biomarkers pathognomonic of the disease have yet been identified. The VKC therapy relies on different types of drugs, from antihistamines and topical steroids to cyclosporine or tacrolimus eye drops. In extremely rare cases, there is also the need for surgical treatment for the debridement of ulcers, as well as for advanced glaucoma and cataracts, caused by excessive prolonged use of steroid eye drops. We performed a systematic review of the literature, according to PRISMA guideline recommendations. We searched the PubMed database from January 2016 to June 2023. Search terms were Vernal, Vernal keratoconjunctivitis, and VKC. We initially identified 211 articles. After the screening process, 168 studies were eligible according to our criteria and were included in the review. In this study, we performed a systematic literature review to provide a comprehensive overview of currently available diagnostic methods, management of VKC, and its treatments.