Epidermophyton fungal keratitis following laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy

Abstract

A 40-year-old man developed pain, decreased vision, and a corneal infiltrate 10 days after laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy. Treatment with conventional topical and systemic antibiotic agents did not improve the symptoms. Approximately 2 weeks after surgery, the patient was referred to Kim's Eye Hospital, presenting with counting fingers visual acuity, moderate anterior chamber reaction, and multifocal stromal infiltrates in the left eye. The corneal infiltrate findings were suggestive of fungal keratitis, and corneal smears were positive for septate fungal hyphae. Treatment with topical amphotericin B was initiated, but there was little response. After mycology culture and molecular analysis identified Epidermophyton floccosum as the infectious organism, topical natamycin was added and the infiltrate gradually resolved. Three weeks after treatment with natamycin, the corrected visual acuity was 20/25. Treatment with topical natamycin was effective against Epidermophyton keratitis.

Infectious keratitis in 18 651 laser surface ablation procedures

“…All the series mentioned above include patients treated with PRK, while our series consisted of patients treated with PRK or LASEK. Few cases of infectious keratitis after LASEK [13][14][15][16] have been published. Nevertheless, we assumed that the incidence of infection would be similar to that of PRK; therefore, we considered the incidence and presentation characteristics of both procedures as a whole.…”

“…Regarding LASEK and epi-LASIK, the only published case reportsd5 cases after LASEK [13][14][15][16] and 2 cases after epi-LASIK 17 dhave been anecdotal. The incidence of infection after these procedures could be similar to that after PRK because they all share the same risk factors for infection.…”

Aspects regarding the effectiveness of volatile oils of the Tanacetum vulgare kind in the conservation of heritage objects

“…Fast and sensitive detection of dermatophytes is very helpful because most superficial fungal infections are caused by this group of fungi (Kupsch et al, 2016;Garg et al, 2009). Their exact identification is essential for choosing the most appropriate antimicrobial treatment and for tracking the sources of infection, thus helping to avoid reinfection (Jung et al, 2009).…”

Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Advanced Materials and Systems

“…Fast and sensitive detection of dermatophytes is very helpful because most superficial fungal infections are caused by this group of fungi (Kupsch et al, 2016;Garg et al, 2009). Their exact identification is essential for choosing the most appropriate antimicrobial treatment and for tracking the sources of infection, thus helping to avoid reinfection (Jung et al, 2009). Various emollient and conservation compositions based on lanolin, hoof oil, beeswax and hexane are known, with cedar oil as an antifungal preservative [British Museum dressing].…”