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Purpose: This study aimed to report the strategies that evolved in managing Mooren's ulcer (MU) at a resource-limited center in rural India during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: This study includes a retrospective analysis of clinically diagnosed MU cases from January 2021 to August 2021 wherein strategies for management were developed. The demographic profile, ulcer clinical features, treatment algorithms (medical and surgical), complications encountered, referral to a higher center, and compliance with medication and follow-up were studied. Results: The mean age of presentation was 68.1 years (range, 62–73 years), and 90% were men. The median best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 1.26 logarithm of the Minimum Angle of Resolution (LogMAR) (interquartile range (IQR), 0.00–5 logMAR) in the affected eye on presentation, which improved to 0.69 logMAR (IQR, 0.00–3 logMAR) at resolution (P = 0.442). The first-line management was conjunctival resection and tissue adhesive application (90%). 70% of cases were unilateral, 50% of cases had less than 2 clock hours of involvement, and 50% had less than 50% stromal involvement. Confounding factors included infectious keratitis (2) and corneal perforation (3). The mean duration of follow-up was 96 (1–240) days. The average follow-up visits per patient were 8.8 (1–22). 90% of cases could be managed successfully at the secondary center level with two cases needing a tertiary care referral. Conclusion: MU can be managed effectively by following a systemic strategy of early diagnosis, surgical therapy, and rapid institution of systemic immunosuppression in a remote location-based secondary center. The strategies developed can be a guide for ophthalmologists at remote centers managing patients or who are unable to travel to tertiary institutes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastrointestinal histoplasmosis remains an inconspicuous clinicopathologic entity. It is predominantly considered a protean manifestation of disseminated disease. We hereby delineate a unique case of biopsy-proven isolated colonic histoplasmosis in a patient undergoing methotrexate therapy. Furthermore, we present the first systematic review of the MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Embase, and Scopus databases regarding isolated colonic histoplasmosis in adult patients receiving immunomodulator therapy (IMT). A total of 13 case reports (level of clinical evidence: IV) were identified. The mean age was 55.6 ± 11.1 years, with 9 (69.2%) cases reported in women. Patients with subclinical disease (5, 38.5%) were often incidentally diagnosed by screening colonoscopy. Symptomatic individuals predominantly presented with diarrhea (4, 30.8%), weight loss (3, 23.1%), and/or abdominal pain (3, 23.1%). IMT was mainly administered for liver transplant (4, 30.8%), renal transplant (4, 30.8%), and ulcerative colitis (2, 15.4%). Common colonoscopy features included colonic ulcerations (7, 53.8%), polyps or pseudopolyps (3, 23.1%), and/or mass-like lesions (3, 23.1%). Diagnosis was made by histology of colonic biopsy in 11 (84.6%) and resected specimens in 2 (15.4%) patients. Treatment consisted of a combination of amphotericin B with oral itraconazole in 6 (46.2%), oral itraconazole alone in 5 (38.5%), and amphotericin B alone in 2 (15.4%) patients. Complete clinical recovery was achieved in all patients. This article illustrates that isolated colonic involvement can be the only clinical presentation of histoplasmosis. It may masquerade as other bowel disorders, presenting diagnostic and therapeutic conundrums. Gastroenterologists should rule out colonic histoplasmosis in IMT recipients who develop unexplained colitis symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Many patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), whether Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, are of reproductive age. Young women with IBD are usually very worried about their fertility, the activity of their disease during pregnancy, the heritability of the disease to their unborn child, and the effect of their underlying IBD on the pregnancy itself. Additionally, patients express concerns about using IBD medications during pregnancy, fearing that the medications may negatively affect the fetus. For this reason, it is of the utmost importance that gastroenterologists and patients with IBD be aware of the effect of IBD on pregnancy, the effect of pregnancy on IBD, and the effect of IBD medications on the fetus and on pregnancy outcomes. Increasing the awareness of patients with IBD about the importance of maintaining disease remission at the time of conception and throughout pregnancy is key to improving the outcomes of both mothers and fetuses. This article addresses the fertility of patients with IBD, the effect of pregnancy on disease activity, and the effect of IBD on pregnancy. Also discussed are which IBD medications can be used during conception and pregnancy and which medications must be avoided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumefactive demyelinating lesions are a known but uncommon complication of multiple sclerosis, a disease rarely reported in children. This is the case of a 16-year-old African American patient with multiple sclerosis, who developed 2 tumefactive demyelinating lesions. Review of the literature and our own experience helped formulate an algorithm for therapeutic options during an acute attack. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author discusses various studies related to Crohn's disease. One of the studies identified the predictive factors of relapse after discontinuation of infliximab therapy, while the other study examined the predictors for infliximab failure in patients with Crohn's disease patient. The author also considers a study on the effect of stopping immunomodulator therapy in Crohn's disease patient.