A Case of Alternaria alternata Keratitis Isolated from Corneal Tissue

Kyoung Min Kang, Hong Kyun Kim, Hae Sook Lee, Kyung Eun Song, Sang Han Lee, Weon Ju Lee, Won Kil Lee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

A 71-year-old man presented with pain in the left eye that revealed a 3×3 mm deep corneal stromal infiltrate, with a 2×2 mm epithelial defect. The patient started topical moxifloxacin, voriconazole 2%, and natamycin for 2 weeks. However, the treatment was not effective and the corneal infiltration worsened. Subsequently, the patient underwent therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty. Thick brown/gray mold colonies on Potato Corn Meal Tween 80 agar was isolated from excised corneal tissue and on slide culture many septated, and club-shaped ascospores were revealed. Histological findings also showed numerous hyphae scattered in corneal tissue. A. alternata colonies were confirmed by 18S rRNA sequencing. Intracameral voriconazole was injected every other day for 2 weeks to eliminate remaining fungi on the deep corneal stroma. The remaining corneal infiltration was improved one month after the injection. During 5 months postoperative follow up, the infection did not recurred. In conclusion, deep corneal infection of A. alternata was effectively treated with intracameral voriconazole injection.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)27-33
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Mycology and Infection
Volume20
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2015

Keywords

  • Alternaria alternata
  • Cornea culture
  • Intracameral voriconazole injection

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A Case of Alternaria alternata Keratitis Isolated from Corneal Tissue'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this