Case Report: Ocular Microsporidiosis: Case in a Patient Returning from India and Review of the Literature

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2018 Jul;99(1):90-93. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.18-0015. Epub 2018 Apr 19.

Abstract

Microsporidia are protists close to the kingdom of fungi that may cause eye infections. Most cases are reported in Asia and affect both immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. Here, we report a rare case of microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis in an immunocompetent French patient 3 weeks after returning from India. In our patient, Weber trichrome staining of conjunctival scrapings revealed rounded elements approximately 1-3 μm in size. Conventional polymerase chain reaction analysis by ribosomal RNA subunit sequencing showed 100% identity with Vittaforma corneae. Treatment by corneal debridement combined with fluoroquinolone eye drops allowed complete resolution of the lesions. Although rare, ocular microsporidiosis should be investigated in a patient who is native to Asia or has returned from an endemic area and presents with keratoconjunctivitis of undetermined etiology.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cornea / drug effects
  • Cornea / microbiology
  • Cornea / pathology
  • Cornea / surgery
  • Debridement / methods
  • Eye Infections, Fungal / diagnosis*
  • Eye Infections, Fungal / drug therapy
  • Eye Infections, Fungal / microbiology
  • Eye Infections, Fungal / surgery
  • Fluoroquinolones / therapeutic use*
  • France
  • Humans
  • India
  • Keratoconjunctivitis / diagnosis*
  • Keratoconjunctivitis / drug therapy
  • Keratoconjunctivitis / microbiology
  • Keratoconjunctivitis / surgery
  • Male
  • Microsporidiosis / diagnosis*
  • Microsporidiosis / drug therapy
  • Microsporidiosis / microbiology
  • Microsporidiosis / surgery
  • Middle Aged
  • Travel
  • Vittaforma / drug effects
  • Vittaforma / growth & development
  • Vittaforma / pathogenicity

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Fluoroquinolones