Summary Background The incidence of fungal keratitis has increased in recent years. While the epidemiology and clinical roles of various Candida and Fusarium species have been relatively well‐identified in infections of the eye, data regarding keratitis caused by Aspergillus species are scant. Accurate and rapid diagnosis is important for successful management of this infection. Objectives To present the first molecular epidemiological data from Mexico during a 4‐year period of cases admitted with Aspergillus keratitis to a tertiary care eye institution in Mexico City. Patients/Methods A total of 25 cases of keratitis were included in the study. Aspergillus isolates were identified by sequencing the calmodulin gene. Antifungal susceptibility was tested according to CLSI. Results The aetiological agents belonged to Aspergillus flavus (n = 13), Aspergillus effusus (n = 1), Aspergillus tamarii (n = 4), Aspergillus sydowii (n = 1), Aspergillus protuberus (n = 3) and Aspergillus terreus (n = 3). All strains had low minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of itraconazole and voriconazole (VCZ). Amphotericin B and natamycin showed moderate elevated MICs. Conclusions Early diagnosis and application of topical VCZ 1% were associated with good outcome. Monitoring of local epidemiological data plays an important role in clinical practice.

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This is a retrospective, and descriptive study about the support that the laboratory of microbiology aids can provide in the diagnosis of ocular infections in patients whom were attended a tertiary-care hospital in México City in a 10-year-time period. We describe the microbiological diagnosis in palpebral mycose; in keratitis caused by Fusarium, Aspergillus, Candida, and melanized fungi; endophthalmitis; one Histoplasma scleritis and one mucormycosis. Nowadays, ocular fungal infections are more often diagnosed, because there is more clinical suspicion and there are easy laboratory confirmations. Correct diagnosis is important because an early medical treatment gives a better prognosis for visual acuity. In some cases, fungal infections are misdiagnosed and the antifungal treatment is delayed.

Considering that the chlamydiae sampling procedures and detection methods used in this study were not the most sensitive, the results underestimate the chlamydial eye infections and represent a conservative assessment of a potential risk for preventable visual impairment. Because C. trachomatis was detected here at levels similar to those reported for low-endemic trachoma areas, health authorities should be prepared to implement appropriate measures should it be confirmed that the visual health of Mexico's children is at risk.

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