Zhongcheng Shen1,2, Yawei Zhang3, Fangting Li1,2, Qin Zhang1,2. 1. Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China. 2. Ophthalmology Optometry Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Retinal and Choroid Diseases, Beijing, China. 3. Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To report a rare case of fungal keratitis caused by Plectosphaerella cucumerina. METHODS: This study retrospectively reviewed the medical records of a case of fungal keratitis. RESULTS: Silt-lamp biomicroscopy revealed corneal infiltration and epithelial defects. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) and in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) were performed to assist in the diagnosis and evaluate corneal conditions. The isolate was identified as Plectosphaerella cucumerina by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The patient was treated with topical 5% pimaricin and oral voriconazole for 1 month and recovered. CONCLUSION: Fungal keratitis caused by Plectosphaerella cucumerina is rare. AS-OCT and IVCM can help locate the lesion and diagnose fungal keratitis. Furthermore, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry showed potential prospects in the identification of filamentous fungi. Plectosphaerella cucumerina rarely infects humans and is sensitive to antifungal agents such as pimaricin and voriconazole.
PURPOSE: To report a rare case of fungal keratitis caused by Plectosphaerella cucumerina. METHODS: This study retrospectively reviewed the medical records of a case of fungal keratitis. RESULTS: Silt-lamp biomicroscopy revealed corneal infiltration and epithelial defects. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) and in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) were performed to assist in the diagnosis and evaluate corneal conditions. The isolate was identified as Plectosphaerella cucumerina by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The patient was treated with topical 5% pimaricin and oral voriconazole for 1 month and recovered. CONCLUSION: Fungal keratitis caused by Plectosphaerella cucumerina is rare. AS-OCT and IVCM can help locate the lesion and diagnose fungal keratitis. Furthermore, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry showed potential prospects in the identification of filamentous fungi. Plectosphaerella cucumerina rarely infects humans and is sensitive to antifungal agents such as pimaricin and voriconazole.
Entities:
Keywords:
Fungal keratitis; IVCM; MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry; Plectosphaerella cucumerina; pimaricin