[Fusarium keratitis with dramatic outcome]

Abstract

Background: Fungal keratitis is much less common in Europe than in Asia. Antifungal therapy can be applied topically as well as systemically and in advanced situations surgical intervention can become necessary.

Case report: We present the case of a 60-year-old woman who suffered from Fusarium keratitis that showed progression to endophthalmitis following contact lens wearing. Due to numerous resistances against antimycotic drugs the eye had to be enucleated to prevent the pathogens from spreading. Histologically, major inflammatory activity could be detected but no causative organism could be found. The failure to detect a pathogen was in clear contrast to the clinical findings and was interpreted as being an overreaction of the immune response even after the Fusarium had been destroyed.

Conclusion: If a fungal infection of the cornea is suspected, antimycotic therapy should be initiated as early as possible. In cases involving highly resistant pathogens the eye cannot always be saved.

Keywords: Contact lenses; Endophthalmitis; Enucleation; Fusarium; Keratitis.