'Blind' antibiotic treatment targeting Chlamydia is not effective in patients with MALT lymphoma of the ocular adnexa.
BACKGROUND
Recent results have implicated Chlamydia, especially Chlamydia psittaci, in the development of ocular adnexal lymphoma in the large majority of patients. We present our experience with ex-juvantibus antibiotic treatment in patients diagnosed with MALT lymphoma of the ocular adnexa.


METHODS
A retrospective analysis identified a total of 11 patients (six female, five male) with MALT-lymphoma of the ocular adnexa who were given doxycyclin 200 mg p.o. daily over 3 weeks. Patients were tested also for autoimmune conditions, Helicobacter status and hepatitis along with assessment of MALT-lymphoma specific genetic changes.


RESULTS
After a median follow-up of 9 months, none of the patients responded to 'blind' antibiotic treatment with doxycyclin. Only one patient with bilateral conjunctival lymphoma related a short lasting subjective improvement, but was referred to alternative therapy due to progression and worsening symptoms after 6 months.


CONCLUSIONS
In this uncontrolled series, no effect of 'blind' antibiotic treatment with doxycyclin could be found in our patients with MALT lymphoma of the ocular adnexa. These results are in contrast to other series and suggest a potential geographic difference in the role of Chlamydia in ocular adnexal lymphoma. Thus, antibiotic therapy without prior testing for Chlamydia should be discouraged.
Grünberger
B
B
Departments of Medicine I, Division of Oncology, Opththalmology, and Pathology Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Hauff
W
W
Lukas
J
J
Wöhrer
S
S
Zielinski
C C
CC
Streubel
B
B
Chott
A
A
Raderer
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002689:Chlamydia / Q000187:drug effects*; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018442:Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004318:Doxycycline