Anaerobic bacterial endophthalmitis

Eighteen patients with endophthalmitis involving anaerobic bacteria are presented. Endophthalmitis followed cataract surgery in seven patients, penetrating trauma in six, a corneal graft in two, and an infected filtering bleb in two; there was one case of endogenous endophthalmitis. Propionibacterium acnes was the most frequent anaerobe isolated (78% of cases). Thirty-two percent of the patients had polymicrobial infection with mixed aerobic and anaerobic species. Six cases of acute P. acnes endophthalmitis were clinically indistinguishable from other cases of mild to moderately severe endophthalmitis. Four patients presented, after cataract surgery, with chronic, low-grade endophthalmitis of 1 to 15 months' duration, emphasizing that "sterile" endophthalmitis cannot be satisfactory diagnosed clinically. The visual prognosis of treated P. acnes endophthalmitis was often good. Based on principles of anaerobic microbiology, recommendations are made for vitreous collection, transport, and culture.

Nutrition education for illiterate children in southern Madagascar--addressing their needs, perceptions and capabilities

OBJECTIVE

A Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) study was conducted in three villages of Bekily District in southern Madagascar prior to the implementation of a health education programme with children. The participatory learning concept of the Child-to-Child approach was followed to involve the children in the planning and implementation of the programme, which was covered by the German Agency for Technical Cooperation.

DESIGN

To this effect, qualitative research methods such as Participatory Learning and Action techniques (focus group discussions, mapping and matrix ranking, etc.) were applied.

SUBJECTS

The survey was conducted between August and December 1999. It involved a total of 55 school-aged children (6-14 years) along with 21 mothers and 34 fathers, representing different ethnic groups and educational backgrounds.

RESULTS

The results show that children's KAP related to health and nutrition strongly reflect those of adults. They are not aware of a possible link between bad hygiene and the occurrence of diseases. According to them, diarrhoea or malaria is caused by consuming too large amounts of certain foods. Even if they know about certain elementary hygiene behaviours, they do not practise this in their everyday life.

CONCLUSION

A major objective of the health education programme for children should be to tackle the discrepancy between hygiene-related knowledge and behaviour. Through the participatory study approach the children revealed their ability to contribute to the programme development. In using appropriate communication channels, the Child-to-Child health education programme is expected to influence the health behaviours of both adults and children. The health education programme should be combined with a literacy programme to address the children's desire to learn reading and writing.

Infectious endophthalmitis. Review of 36 cases

A three-year retrospective study of 36 cases of infectious endophthalmitis seen at a large referral eye center between 1977 and 1980 was conducted. The criterion for infectious endophthalmitis was the culture of microorganisms from aqueous or vitreous on at least two media. The most frequent pathogen was Staphylococcus epidermis; it was isolated from 18 (50%) of the cases. In cases of infectious endophthalmitis following recent cataract extraction, S. epidermidis was isolated from 10 to 17 eyes (58.8%). Complete loss of visual function occurred in 16 of the 36 eyes (44.4%); a visual acuity of 20/400 or better as recorded in 15 eyes (41.6%) and 20/100 or better in eight (22.2%). Fifty percent of the cases were treated with vitrectomy and intraocular antibiotics. Poor visual outcome was associated with gram-negative organisms or delay of vitrectomy more than 24 hours after the initial diagnosis. In cases of postoperative S. epidermidis endophthalmitis, the most favorable visual outcomes were associated with use of intraocular antibiotics and vitrectomy; 80% of cases so treated had a final visual acuity of 20/400 or better and 60% had a visual acuity of 20/100 or better.