lactoferrin and Conjunctivitis--Allergic

Meibomian gland dysfunction, but not atrophy, was associated with lower tear lactoferrin concentration, greater dry eye, and allergic symptoms, indicating greater inflammation and discomfort in patients with lower meibomian gland expressibility.. Meibomian gland dysfunction can potentially damage adjacent palpebral structures, which may induce inflammation in accessory lacrimal glands and affect lactoferrin secretion. This study aimed to examine the relationships between the severity of meibomian gland dysfunction with tear lactoferrin, conjunctival cell morphology, and clinical features of ocular allergy.. Forty subjects were divided into two groups based on the severity of meibomian gland plugging and expressibility and secondarily based on its atrophy. Dry eye and allergy questionnaires; slit-lamp examination, including lid telangiectasia; and meibography were performed. Tear lactoferrin concentration was measured using TearScan 270 MicroAssay. Impression cytology was performed on the upper palpebral conjunctiva, and goblet cell density and epithelial squamous metaplasia were quantified.. Twenty-two subjects with meibomian gland dysfunction were categorized into severely obstructed group (case), whereas 19 subjects had minimal/no obstruction (comparison). Lower lactoferrin (1.3 ± 0.4 vs. 1.7 ± 0.4 mg/mL, P = .007), greater dry eye (7 [1 to 10] vs. 2 [0 to 5], P = .03), and allergy symptoms (9 [4 to 23] vs. 6 [0 to 9], P = .05) were found in the cases compared with the comparisons. There were no differences in conjunctival cell morphology between groups. The plugging score was correlated with lactoferrin concentration (ρ = -0.43, P = .006), dry eye (ρ = 0.36, P = .02), and allergic symptoms (ρ = 0.33, P = .04). Greater lid margin telangiectasia was associated with meibomian gland obstruction, but not atrophy.. Meibomian gland activity/dysfunction, but not atrophy, may be associated with increased inflammation on the ocular surface. The inflammation may be sufficient to reduce tear lactoferrin production from damage to accessory lacrimal glands and/or meibomian gland and result in increased symptoms.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Blepharitis; Conjunctiva; Conjunctivitis, Allergic; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dry Eye Syndromes; Eye Proteins; Eyelid Diseases; Female; Goblet Cells; Humans; Lactoferrin; Male; Meibomian Glands; Middle Aged; Surveys and Questionnaires; Tears

Topics: Conjunctivitis, Allergic; Contact Lenses, Extended-Wear; Humans; Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; Immunoglobulin A; Lactoferrin; Serum Albumin

The purpose of this study was to examine the concentration of lactoferrin in 126 healthy subjects before being fitted with contact lenses. We obtained repeat measurements 9 months following contact lens fitting in patients who developed giant papillary conjunctivitis and in those who were successful contact lens wearers.. We accomplished tear stimulation by the use of Allyl sulphide, a non-toxic organic compound. We measured lactoferrin by the radial immuno-diffusion technique.. We found a significant decrease of lactoferrin levels in the tears of patients with giant papillary conjunctivitis.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Biomarkers; Conjunctivitis, Allergic; Contact Lenses; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Lactoferrin; Male; Reference Values; Tears; Time Factors

Giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC) is a well defined entity seen in patients with deposits on their lenses. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) tear protein analysis was performed on 17 GPC patients and compared with healthy controls with and without contact lenses. The IgA levels are somewhat lower in GPC patients as compared with healthy controls not wearing lenses (P less than 0.05). A similar decrease was also seen in the control group wearing contact lenses. We were not able to identify a specific HPLC tear protein profile in GPC patients as compared with controls. The HPLC profile therefore gives no explanation for the lens deposits and is not suitable as a diagnostic or prognostic tool.

Topics: Adult; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Conjunctivitis, Allergic; Contact Lenses; Eye Proteins; Humans; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; Lactoferrin; Muramidase; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Tears

Lactoferrin, an iron complexing protein in normal tears, is an important component of the nonspecific host defense system of the external eye. We measured tear lactoferrin levels in patients with contact lens-induced giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC) by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Patients with active GPC (N = 26) had significantly reduced tear levels of lactoferrin (0.876 +/- 0.42 mg/ml) compared with normal individuals (N = 12; 1.73 +/- 0.46 mg/ml, P less than 0.0003) and the control contact lens wearers' group (N = 11; 1.57 +/- 0.92 mg/ml, P less than 0.003). Patients with vernal conjunctivitis (N = 10), an ocular disease with similar histopathology, had slightly reduced concentrations of tear lactoferrin (1.22 +/- 0.59 mg/ml). Patients with inactive GPC (N = 7) had normal tear levels of lactoferrin (1.33 +/- 0.49 mg/ml). The lactoferrin to total protein ratio in the tears was significantly reduced in patients with GPC compared to normal subjects, control contact lens wearers, and patients with inactive GPC. The decreased tear levels of lactoferrin in patients with GPC may contribute to increased coating of lenses with bacteria and their products and enhanced ocular inflammation which may play a role in the pathogenesis of GPC.

Topics: Adenoviridae Infections; Conjunctivitis; Conjunctivitis, Allergic; Eye Proteins; Humans; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Tears