title: Topical Plasminogen as Adjunctive Treatment in Recurrent Ligneous Conjunctivitis.
abstract: Ligneous conjunctivitis is a rare, autosomal recessive, membranous conjunctivitis characterized by a deficiency in type 1 plasminogen. The absence of normal plasmin activity results in the formation of fibrin-rich, membranous material that typically manifests on the palpebral conjunctiva. Surgical treatment often causes irritation of the conjunctiva and accelerated recurrence of pseudomembranes. In this interventional case report, the authors document the results of treatment with topical plasminogen following conjunctival pseudomembrane excision in a 32-year-old woman. The patient underwent pseudomembrane excision in the OS followed immediately by hourly topical application of plasminogen eye drops. The plasminogen was prepared from pooled human plasma purchased under Food and Drug Administration approval from DiaPharma. Follow-up evaluation at 1 week, 1 month, and 5 months showed no evidence of recurrent pseudomembranous change. Adjunctive topical plasminogen application appears to be an effective and safe method of controlling pseudomembrane recurrence in patients with ligneous conjunctivitis.
authors.affiliation: Jules Stein Eye Institute, Division of Orbital and Oculoplastic Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Ang
authors.forename: Konstantinos I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Papageorgiou
authors.forename: Shu-Hong
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Jocelyn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kohn
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chokron Garneau
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Goldberg
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010958:Plasminogen / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000172:deficiency*; D012873:Skin Diseases, Genetic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D010958:Plasminogen