Therapy with a Purified Plasminogen Concentrate in an Infant with Ligneous Conjunctivitis and Homozygous Plasminogen Deficiency

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Ligneous conjunctivitis is a rare disease characterized by acute or chronic recurrent conjunctivitis in which the conjunctival membranes acquire a wood-like consistency, due primarily to deposits of fibrin.1,2 Corneal involvement and chronic obstruction of the eye may lead to blindness. The disease is frequently associated with nasopharyngitis, tracheobronchial obstruction, otitis media, vulvovaginitis, and defective wound healing.2-9 Pseudomembranous conjunctivitis was first described in 1847 by Bouisson,10 and the term “conjunctivitis lignosa” was introduced by Borel in 1933.11 More than 100 cases have been reported in the literature, but no satisfactory treatment has yet been found. The results of therapy with hyaluronidase eye drops, corticosteroids, cyclosporine, and antiviral agents are generally disappointing.6,7,12-14 Surgical treatment often causes accelerated recurrence of pseudomembranes.2,4-6,14