In vivo and in vitro investigations of fungal keratitis caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides

Abstract

Purpose: To report a case of fungal keratitis caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, which is a rare pathogen in humans.

Methods: An 80-year-old woman developed fungal keratitis after having sustained a traumatic injury during field work. The patient was initially examined by slit-lamp biomicroscopy and the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph II-Rostock Cornea Module (HRT II-RCM). Corneal scrapings were collected and submitted for laboratory investigations.

Results: Many septate, hyphae-like interlocking and branching white lines were observed in the area of the infiltrate by HRT II-RCM. A tentative diagnosis of fungal keratitis was made, and the patient was treated with systemic and topical voriconazole and pimaricin ophthalmic ointment. The infectious focus resolved within 2 weeks, and there were no signs of a recurrence after 3 months of treatment with the antifungal agents. The culture of the corneal scraping grew C. gloeosporioides.

Conclusions: HRT II-RCM was useful in detecting filamentous fungi in the cornea. The treatment with voriconazole and pimaricin was effective in the treatment of C. gloeosporioides keratitis.