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Impression Cytology of the Conjunctiva in Aids Patients

Goblet and Orange Cells Analysis

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Abstract

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca is one of the most frequent non-infectious ocular manifestations in AIDS patients. This study was performed to prospectively analyze goblet cell density in the conjunctiva of AIDS patients and to correlate orange cells and squamous metaplasia.

In this study conjunctival specimens of 37 patients with AIDS (CD4<003C;200 cells/mm3) and 12 HIV-negative patients were examined by impression cytology in the interpalpebral zone, after clinical evaluation of break-up time, rose bengal staining, and Schirmer test. The AIDS group was subdivided into 19 patients with symptoms of dry eye and 18 patients without symptoms.

Results of this study showed no statistical difference in impression cytology or in evaluation of lacrimai film between the two AIDS groups. There was a statistically significant difference between AIDS patients and the control group in goblet cells counts and in lacrimai function tests (p<0.5). In AIDS patients, goblet cells were absent in 22 (59.45%) eyes. There was a positive correlation between CD4 and the goblet cell counts in AIDS patients with dry eye symptoms (p<0.05). The orange cells were higher in the two AIDS groups (p<0.05).

In this study decreased goblet cell numbers and the high incidence of orange cells suggested keratinization and metaplasia of conjunctival epithelium. Abnormal lacrimai function tests and damaged conjunctival epithelium, as evidenced by impression cytology, were observed in the two AIDS groups.

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© 1997 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Steck, A.D., Abreau, M., Sartori, M.F., Muccioli, C. (1997). Impression Cytology of the Conjunctiva in Aids Patients. In: Lass, J.H. (eds) Advances in Corneal Research. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-5389-2_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-5389-2_9

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-7460-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-5389-2

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