Mycotic Keratitis Caused by Aspergillus Fumigatus

Abstract

IT is not uncommon to find infections of the cornea with varied organisms of the soil in South India, where agriculture is the main occupation of the people, and mycotic keratitis is often encountered in ophthalmic practice. Case Report A farmer aged 50 years was admitted to the Government Ophthalmic Hospital, Madras, on September 26, 1960, with pain and loss of vision of 3 days' duration in the right eye. Examination Right Eye: Corneal hypopyon ulcer. Visual acuity perception of light. Lacrimal passage free. Left Eye: Visual acuity 6/6. Anterior segment and fundus normal. The following routine treatment was given for one week: subconjunctival injections of crystalline penicillin 100,000 units, local atropine, terramycin ointment and bandage, and sulphadiazine 4 g. daily in divided doses with alkalis. There was no improvement. The case was then reviewed by the author and the followingclinical picture was observed: Right Eye: Corneal ulcer 6-5 mm. diameter, faintly yellow with an irregular round border (Fig. 1). The centre of the ulcer was necrosed but the surrounding cornea was clear. FIG. 1.-Appearance of comeal ulcer in right eye.

Studies on Mycotic Keratitis: Untersuchungen über Pilzkeratitis

“…Many saprophytic fungi have been recorded as causative agents of mycotic keratitis among which Aspergillusspp. are considered to be of great importance and incidence of high order (2,5,7). Others like Fuasrium spp., Penicillium spp., Candida or even actinomycetes have been recorded by workers in India (1,3,7,9,11).…”

Keratomycosis -a Review

“…The commonest initial cause of corneal ulcers is trauma due to a variety of accidental injuries, such as, vegetable matter, soil, bush, machine tools (4,7,12,29,38,49,61). The cornea gets inflamed after surgical therapy also if not properly cared.…”