Qing Huang1, Wenlu Zhang2, Yu Sun2, Xiaofeng Li2, Xiaoyu Zhang2, Xiuhai Lu3, Xiaolin Qi4. 1. Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China. 2. Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Eye Hospital), State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 372 Jingsi Road, Jinan, 250021, China. 3. Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Eye Hospital), State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 372 Jingsi Road, Jinan, 250021, China. xiuhailu@163.com. 4. Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Eye Hospital), State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 372 Jingsi Road, Jinan, 250021, China. qinglianqxl@163.com.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To observe clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of fungal keratitis caused by Verticillium dahliae. METHODS: Clinical data of 7 patients diagnosed as fungal keratitis cause by Verticillium dahliae were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical manifestations, mycology, in vitro antifungal susceptibility, treatment regimens and prognoses of the patients were evaluated. RESULTS: All 7 patients were farm worker, of which 5 cases were caused by plant trauma. The corneal ulcer had a round shape and a relatively limited range with the diameters mainly in the range of 2-7 mm. The stromal infiltration was mild, and had no pseudopodia, mossiness or endothelial plaques. Intact hyphaes were detected in corneal scrapings and confocal microscopy, isolates were identified by morphology and by sequencing the internal transcribed spacer region of ribosomal DNA. In vitro antifungal susceptibility testing showed that the most sensitive antifungal drug was Amphotericin B. In the 6 patients with an ulcer less than 2/3 of the corneal thickness, the ulcer healed after 18 days of antifungal treatment only in one eye. The other five patients underwent corneal ulcer debridement or conjunctival flap covering surgery. The remaining one patient with ulcer depth more than 2/3 of the corneal thickness underwent lamellar keratoplasty. CONCLUSION: Fungal keratitis caused by Verticillium dahliae has typical signs of a mild inflammatory response, and is not sensitive to antifungal drugs. It is recommended that patients undergo corneal ulcer debridement as soon as possible to promote rapid healing of the ulcers.
PURPOSE: To observe clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of fungal keratitis caused by Verticillium dahliae. METHODS: Clinical data of 7 patients diagnosed as fungal keratitis cause by Verticillium dahliae were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical manifestations, mycology, in vitro antifungal susceptibility, treatment regimens and prognoses of the patients were evaluated. RESULTS: All 7 patients were farm worker, of which 5 cases were caused by plant trauma. The corneal ulcer had a round shape and a relatively limited range with the diameters mainly in the range of 2-7 mm. The stromal infiltration was mild, and had no pseudopodia, mossiness or endothelial plaques. Intact hyphaes were detected in corneal scrapings and confocal microscopy, isolates were identified by morphology and by sequencing the internal transcribed spacer region of ribosomal DNA. In vitro antifungal susceptibility testing showed that the most sensitive antifungal drug was Amphotericin B. In the 6 patients with an ulcer less than 2/3 of the corneal thickness, the ulcer healed after 18 days of antifungal treatment only in one eye. The other five patients underwent corneal ulcer debridement or conjunctival flap covering surgery. The remaining one patient with ulcer depth more than 2/3 of the corneal thickness underwent lamellar keratoplasty. CONCLUSION: Fungal keratitis caused by Verticillium dahliae has typical signs of a mild inflammatory response, and is not sensitive to antifungal drugs. It is recommended that patients undergo corneal ulcer debridement as soon as possible to promote rapid healing of the ulcers.