Scedosporium scleritis or keratitis or both: case series

Abstract

Purpose: To report case series of infectious scleritis or keratitis or both caused by Scedosporium fungal species.

Methods: Medical records of patients presenting with infectious scleritis or keratitis or both caused by Scedosporium were retrospectively reviewed at a tertiary care hospital. Nine culture-proven cases of Scedosporium corneal and scleral infection that were treated medically or surgically or both were enrolled for the study. The main parameters evaluated were the predisposing factors, clinical presentation, and the success of various treatment modalities.

Results: The most common mode of presentation was scleritis (six cases, 67%), followed by sclerokeratitis (two cases, 22%) and keratitis (one cases, 11%). The risk factors included a previous pterygium excision with or without beta-radiation (six cases, 67%) and trauma (two cases, 22%). One patient had no identifiable risk factor. Mean duration between the time of pterygium excision and onset of infectious scleritis or keratitis or both was 7.6 +/- 3.3 years (range, 5-12 years). Voriconazole was the most commonly used antifungal medication in the form of drops (five cases, 56%) or tablets (five cases, 56%). Medical therapy alone could successfully resolve infection in six cases. Penetrating keratoplasty was performed in one eye, and two eyes were enucleated.

Conclusions: Corneal and scleral infection caused by Scedosporium may occur many years after pterygium surgery. Although newer antifungal agents like voriconazole are effective in management of such cases, severe infections may result in the loss of eye.