PURPOSE: Fungal keratitis is a severe sight-threatening condition. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and clinical characteristics of fungal keratitis patients living in a temperate climate. METHODS: By reviewing medical records from 2000 to July 2013, patients with fungal keratitis were identified. Risk factors, clinical signs and outcome were registered. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were identified: 52% with Candida, 20% with Fusarium, 16% with Aspergillus and 12% with mixed filamentous fungi. A minimum incidence of fungal keratitis of 0.6 cases per million per year was estimated. Prior topical steroid treatment was commonly found in our cases (44%). Trauma including contact lens wear was associated with infection with filamentous fungi, whereas in patients with Candida infection, ocular surface disease was a prominent feature. Median time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 24 days. Only a few patients exhibited classical clinical features such as endothelial plaques (28%), satellite lesions (24%) and feathery edges (16%). The final visual outcome was poor with an average best-corrected logMAR of (mean, 95% CI) 0.70 (0.4-1.0). A total of 52% were treated with corneal transplantation. Patients with Candida infections had a significantly worse visual outcome. CONCLUSION: We found that patients with fungal keratitis had a poor visual outcome. However, knowledge of risk factors and clinical signs leading to early treatment can improve the prognosis.
PURPOSE:Fungal keratitis is a severe sight-threatening condition. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and clinical characteristics of fungal keratitispatients living in a temperate climate. METHODS: By reviewing medical records from 2000 to July 2013, patients with fungal keratitis were identified. Risk factors, clinical signs and outcome were registered. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were identified: 52% with Candida, 20% with Fusarium, 16% with Aspergillus and 12% with mixed filamentous fungi. A minimum incidence of fungal keratitis of 0.6 cases per million per year was estimated. Prior topical steroid treatment was commonly found in our cases (44%). Trauma including contact lens wear was associated with infection with filamentous fungi, whereas in patients with Candida infection, ocular surface disease was a prominent feature. Median time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 24 days. Only a few patients exhibited classical clinical features such as endothelial plaques (28%), satellite lesions (24%) and feathery edges (16%). The final visual outcome was poor with an average best-corrected logMAR of (mean, 95% CI) 0.70 (0.4-1.0). A total of 52% were treated with corneal transplantation. Patients with Candida infections had a significantly worse visual outcome. CONCLUSION: We found that patients with fungal keratitis had a poor visual outcome. However, knowledge of risk factors and clinical signs leading to early treatment can improve the prognosis.
Authors: Maria Luiza Carneiro Buchele; Débora Borgert Wopereis; Fabiana Casara; Jefferson Peres de Macedo; Marilise Brittes Rott; Fabíola Branco Filippin Monteiro; Maria Luiza Bazzo; Fernando Dos Reis Spada; Jairo Ivo Dos Santos; Karin Silva Caumo Journal: Parasitol Res Date: 2018-08-10 Impact factor: 2.289
Authors: M Roth; L Daas; A Renner-Wilde; N Cvetkova-Fischer; M Saeger; M Herwig-Carl; M Matthaei; A Fekete; V Kakkassery; G Walther; M von Lilienfeld-Toal; C Mertens; J Lenk; J Mehlan; C Fischer; M Fuest; S Kroll; W Bayoudh; A Viestenz; A Frings; C R MacKenzie; E M Messmer; B Seitz; O Kurzai; G Geerling Journal: Ophthalmologe Date: 2019-10 Impact factor: 1.059
Authors: Grit Walther; Serena Stasch; Kerstin Kaerger; Axel Hamprecht; Mathias Roth; Oliver A Cornely; Gerd Geerling; Colin R Mackenzie; Oliver Kurzai; Marie von Lilienfeld-Toal Journal: J Clin Microbiol Date: 2017-07-26 Impact factor: 5.948