M Srinivasan1. 1. Aravind Eye Care System, Tamil Nadu, India. m.srinivasan@aravind.org
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Throughout the world, fungal keratitis is a leading cause of ocular morbidity. The purpose of this review is to discuss the recently published literature in relation to the epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis, and therapy of fungal keratitis. RECENT FINDINGS: Globally, the incidence of keratomycoses and systemic mycoses is rising. Current therapies are often ineffective. Ongoing research toward rapid diagnosis and specific drug therapy could minimize the morbidity caused by this preventable disease. New antifungal drugs, including voriconazole, have been applied recently for the treatment of keratomycosis. SUMMARY: The incidence of fungal keratitis is on the rise in the densely populated continents of Asia and Africa. Filamentous fungi are the most frequently reported pathogens. Polyene antifungal antibiotics, the first-line therapy in fungal keratitis, are not effective in severe keratomycosis. Imidazole derivatives such as voriconazole and echinocandin may be the better choice in the future.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Throughout the world, fungal keratitis is a leading cause of ocular morbidity. The purpose of this review is to discuss the recently published literature in relation to the epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis, and therapy of fungal keratitis. RECENT FINDINGS: Globally, the incidence of keratomycoses and systemic mycoses is rising. Current therapies are often ineffective. Ongoing research toward rapid diagnosis and specific drug therapy could minimize the morbidity caused by this preventable disease. New antifungal drugs, including voriconazole, have been applied recently for the treatment of keratomycosis. SUMMARY: The incidence of fungal keratitis is on the rise in the densely populated continents of Asia and Africa. Filamentous fungi are the most frequently reported pathogens. Polyene antifungal antibiotics, the first-line therapy in fungal keratitis, are not effective in severe keratomycosis. Imidazole derivatives such as voriconazole and echinocandin may be the better choice in the future.
Authors: Chin Fen Neoh; Hui He; Jian Li; Robert O Fullinfaw; Lok Leung; Anant Misra; Rasik B Vajpayee; Geoffrey E Davies; Kay Stewart; David C M Kong Journal: Antimicrob Agents Chemother Date: 2010-07-26 Impact factor: 5.191
Authors: Jeena Mascarenhas; Prajna Lalitha; N Venkatesh Prajna; Muthiah Srinivasan; Manoranjan Das; Sean S D'Silva; Catherine E Oldenburg; Durga S Borkar; Elizabeth J Esterberg; Thomas M Lietman; Jeremy D Keenan Journal: Am J Ophthalmol Date: 2013-11-05 Impact factor: 5.258
Authors: Prajna Lalitha; Catherine Q Sun; N Venkatesh Prajna; Rajarathinam Karpagam; Manoharan Geetha; Kieran S O'Brien; Vicky Cevallos; Stephen D McLeod; Nisha R Acharya; Thomas M Lietman Journal: Am J Ophthalmol Date: 2013-10-22 Impact factor: 5.258
Authors: S Day; P Lalitha; S Haug; A W Fothergill; V Cevallos; R Vijayakumar; N V Prajna; N R Acharya; S D McLeod; T M Lietman Journal: Br J Ophthalmol Date: 2008-10-24 Impact factor: 4.638