Author
Rubens Belfort
Other affiliations: Johns Hopkins University, Vision Institute, University of California, San Francisco ...read more
Bio: Rubens Belfort is an academic researcher from Federal University of São Paulo. The author has contributed to research in topics: Uveitis & Toxoplasma gondii. The author has an hindex of 61, co-authored 418 publications receiving 15087 citations. Previous affiliations of Rubens Belfort include Johns Hopkins University & Vision Institute.
Papers published on a yearly basis
Papers
More filters
••
TL;DR: In this paper, the safety and efficacy of dexamethasone intravitreal implant (DEX implant; OZURDEX, Allergan, Inc., Irvine, CA) compared with sham in eyes with vision loss due to macular edema (ME) associated with BRVO or central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO).
955 citations
••
TL;DR: The DEX implant 0.7 mg and 0.35 mg met the primary efficacy endpoint for improvement in BCVA, and the safety profile was acceptable and consistent with previous reports.
862 citations
••
TL;DR: Among patients with macular edema owing to BRVO or CRVO, single and repeated treatment with DEX implant had a favorable safety profile over 12 months.
632 citations
••
TL;DR: In patients with noninfectious intermediate or posterior uveitis, a single DEX implant significantly improved intraocular inflammation and visual acuity persisting for 6 months.
Abstract: Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of 2 doses of dexamethasone intravitreal implant (DEX implant) for treatment of noninfectious intermediate or posterior uveitis. Methods In this 26-week trial, eyes with noninfectious intermediate or posterior uveitis were randomized to a single treatment with a 0.7-mg DEX implant (n = 77), 0.35-mg DEX implant (n = 76), or sham procedure (n = 76). Main outcome measure The main outcome measure was the proportion of eyes with a vitreous haze score of 0 at week 8. Results The proportion of eyes with a vitreous haze score of 0 at week 8 was 47% with the 0.7-mg DEX implant, 36% with the 0.35-mg DEX implant, and 12% with the sham (P .05 at any visit). The incidence of cataract reported in the phakic eyes was 9 of 62 (15%) with the 0.7-mg DEX implant, 6 of 51 (12%) with the 0.35-mg DEX implant, and 4 of 55 (7%) with the sham (P > .05). Conclusions In patients with noninfectious intermediate or posterior uveitis, a single DEX implant significantly improved intraocular inflammation and visual acuity persisting for 6 months. Application to Clinical Practice Dexamethasone intravitreal implant may be used safely and effectively for treatment of intermediate and posterior uveitis. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00333814.
548 citations
••
TL;DR: Congenital infection due to presumed ZIKV exposure is associated with vision-threatening findings, which include bilateral macular and perimacular lesions as well as optic nerve abnormalities in most cases.
Abstract: IMPORTANCE The Zika virus (ZIKV) has rapidly reached epidemic proportions, especially in
northeastern Brazil, and has rapidly spread to other parts of the Americas. A recent increase
in the prevalence of microcephaly in newborn infants and vision-threatening findings in these
infants is likely associated with the rapid spread of ZIKV.
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the ocular findings in infants with microcephaly associated with
presumed intrauterine ZIKV infection in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Case series at a tertiary hospital. Twenty-nine infants
with microcephaly (defined by a cephalic circumference of 32 cm) with a presumed
diagnosis of congenital ZIKV were recruited through an active search and referrals from other
hospitals and health unities. The study was conducted between December 1 and December
21, 2015.
INTERVENTIONS All infants and mothers underwent systemic and ophthalmic examinations
from December 1 through December 21, 2015, in the Roberto Santos General Hospital,
Salvador, Brazil. Anterior segment and retinal, choroidal, and optic nerve abnormalities were
documented using a wide-field digital imaging system. The differential diagnosis included
toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, syphilis, and human
immunodeficiency virus, which were ruled out through serologic and clinical examinations.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Ocular abnormalities associated with ZIKV.
RESULTS Twenty-three of 29 mothers (79.3%) reported suspected ZIKV infection signs and
symptoms during pregnancy, 18 in the first trimester, 4 in the second trimester, and 1 in the
third trimester. Of the 29 infants (58 eyes) examined (18 [62.1%] female), ocular
abnormalities were present in 17 eyes (29.3%) of 10 children (34.5%). Bilateral findings were
found in 7 of 10 patients presenting with ocular lesions, the most common of which were
focal pigment mottling of the retina and chorioretinal atrophy in 11 of the 17 eyes with
abnormalities (64.7%), followed by optic nerve abnormalities in 8 eyes (47.1%), bilateral iris
coloboma in 1 patient (2 eyes [11.8%]), and lens subluxation in 1 eye (5.9%
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Congenital infection due to presumed ZIKV exposure is
associated with vision-threatening findings, which include bilateral macular and perimacular
lesions as well as optic nerve abnormalities in most cases.
493 citations
Cited by
More filters
••
TL;DR: Phylogenetic and metagenomic analyses of the complete viral genome of a new coronavirus from the family Coronaviridae reveal that the virus is closely related to a group of SARS-like coronaviruses found in bats in China.
Abstract: Emerging infectious diseases, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Zika virus disease, present a major threat to public health1–3. Despite intense research efforts, how, when and where new diseases appear are still a source of considerable uncertainty. A severe respiratory disease was recently reported in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. As of 25 January 2020, at least 1,975 cases had been reported since the first patient was hospitalized on 12 December 2019. Epidemiological investigations have suggested that the outbreak was associated with a seafood market in Wuhan. Here we study a single patient who was a worker at the market and who was admitted to the Central Hospital of Wuhan on 26 December 2019 while experiencing a severe respiratory syndrome that included fever, dizziness and a cough. Metagenomic RNA sequencing4 of a sample of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from the patient identified a new RNA virus strain from the family Coronaviridae, which is designated here ‘WH-Human 1’ coronavirus (and has also been referred to as ‘2019-nCoV’). Phylogenetic analysis of the complete viral genome (29,903 nucleotides) revealed that the virus was most closely related (89.1% nucleotide similarity) to a group of SARS-like coronaviruses (genus Betacoronavirus, subgenus Sarbecovirus) that had previously been found in bats in China5. This outbreak highlights the ongoing ability of viral spill-over from animals to cause severe disease in humans. Phylogenetic and metagenomic analyses of the complete viral genome of a new coronavirus from the family Coronaviridae reveal that the virus is closely related to a group of SARS-like coronaviruses found in bats in China.
9,231 citations
[...]
01 Feb 2009
TL;DR: This Secret History documentary follows experts as they pick through the evidence and reveal why the plague killed on such a scale, and what might be coming next.
Abstract: Secret History: Return of the Black Death Channel 4, 7-8pm In 1348 the Black Death swept through London, killing people within days of the appearance of their first symptoms. Exactly how many died, and why, has long been a mystery. This Secret History documentary follows experts as they pick through the evidence and reveal why the plague killed on such a scale. And they ask, what might be coming next?
5,234 citations
••
TL;DR: Diagnostic Criteria of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Lung Disease Key Laboratory Features of N TM Health Careand Hygiene-associated Disease Prevention Prophylaxis and Treatment of NTM Disease Introduction Methods.
Abstract: Diagnostic Criteria of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Lung Disease Key Laboratory Features of NTM Health Careand Hygiene-associated Disease Prevention Prophylaxis and Treatment of NTM Disease Introduction Methods Taxonomy Epidemiology Pathogenesis Host Defense and Immune Defects Pulmonary Disease Body Morphotype Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibition Laboratory Procedures Collection, Digestion, Decontamination, and Staining of Specimens Respiratory Specimens Body Fluids, Abscesses, and Tissues Blood Specimen Processing Smear Microscopy Culture Techniques Incubation of NTM Cultures NTM Identification Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing for NTM Molecular Typing Methods of NTM Clinical Presentations and Diagnostic Criteria Pulmonary Disease Cystic Fibrosis Hypersensitivity-like Disease Transplant Recipients Disseminated Disease Lymphatic Disease Skin, Soft Tissue, and Bone Disease
4,969 citations
••
TL;DR: In this article, a process of standardizing the methods for reporting clinical data in the field of uveitis has been discussed, and the results used to develop a series of proposals to better standardize the use of these entities.
3,283 citations
••
TL;DR: Recent epidemiological data on T. gondii, hypotheses on the major routes of transmission to humans in different populations, and preventive measures that may reduce the risk of contracting a primary infection during pregnancy are presented.
3,160 citations