A case of mycotic keratitis due to Fusarium sp. with an undesirable outcome

J Infect Dev Ctries. 2022 Apr 30;16(4):729-732. doi: 10.3855/jidc.15824.

Abstract

Fungal keratitis, an infective disease of the cornea, represents a serious diagnostic and therapeutic problem that, if not recognized on time, could lead to irreversible eye damage. Herein we report a case of fungal keratitis due to Fusarium spp. infection. The 60-year-old man was admitted to our clinic due to an atraumatic acute onset of the disease, with a decrease in the visual acuity, photophobia, redness, and severe pain in the right eye. Clinical observation revealed an ulcer that affected 1/3 of the cornea and a hypopion in the anterior chamber. After the first results of microbiological analyzes, local and systemic antifungal therapy was applied. Due to the fact that the patient voluntarily left the treatment, there was a drastic worsening of the local findings as a full thickness total corneal infiltrate with more intense anterior chamber reaction. Finally, evisceration was performed. Given the fact that fungal keratitis is more prevalent in developing countries, official protocols and available effective antifungals are crucial for adequate treatment and a favorable outcome of this infection.

Keywords: Fusarium spp.; antifungal; evisceration; keratitis; treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Corneal Ulcer* / diagnosis
  • Corneal Ulcer* / drug therapy
  • Corneal Ulcer* / microbiology
  • Eye Infections, Fungal* / diagnosis
  • Eye Infections, Fungal* / drug therapy
  • Fusariosis* / diagnosis
  • Fusariosis* / drug therapy
  • Fusariosis* / microbiology
  • Fusarium*
  • Humans
  • Keratitis* / diagnosis
  • Keratitis* / drug therapy
  • Keratitis* / microbiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents