Diagnostic Utility of CDC DPDx for an Atypical Presentation of Infectious Crystalline Keratopathy-Like Infiltrate Secondary to Microsporidia

Abstract

To report a case of atypical infectious crystalline keratopathy-like stromal infection secondary to microsporidia wherein diagnosis of the causative organism was aided by use of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) DPDx program.Methods: We report the case of a 73-year-old woman who presented with atypical infectious crystalline keratopathy-like corneal infection without previous surgical history. Results:The patient had previously been treated for recalcitrant corneal infection with topical antibiotics and steroids at an outside provider before referral. Further treatment with topical fortified antibiotics failed to improve the infection. Corneal biopsy was performed and sent to the CDC DPDx for diagnostic confirmation for presumptive microsporidia. The patient underwent therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty without recurrence of ocular infection.Conclusions: Utilization of the DPDx resource may help guide appropriate and timely diagnosis and management strategies in atypical presentations of infectious keratitis.

Successful Management of Infectious Crystalline Keratopathy with Intrastromal Antibiotic Injections

“…Corneal biopsies have been used with success to identify the causative microbe in atypical cases of crystalline keratopathy [ 20 ]. This approach should be given fair consideration when adjusting the antimicrobial therapy in a treatment refractory case.…”

A monoclonal antibody targeting spore wall protein 1 inhibits the proliferation of Nosema bombycis in Bombyx mori

“…In aquaculture, microsporidia can cause the mortality of fish, prawn, and crab ( 8 , 9 ). Microsporidia infections bring about mammalian livestock diseases ( 10 , 11 ), and some microsporidia can also cause human diseases ( 12 , 13 ). A total of 200 genera and 1,500 species of microsporidia have been reported so far ( 14 ), but there are a few reports on microsporidiosis treatment.…”