Fungal keratitis caused by Podospora austroamericana: A first case report

We report a case of keratitis caused by a rare fungus Podospora austroamericana. Clinical and microbiological evaluation of the corneal ulcer was done and the treatment outcome was studied. The fungus was grown from the corneal scraping, and it was identified as P. austroamericana based on DNA sequence and analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region. The patient was treated with topical azithromycin, natamycin and voriconazole. Despite maximum medical therapy, the ulcer progressed very rapidly and the patient developed panophthalmitis and evisceration of the eye had to be done. This is the first reported case of keratitis caused by P. Austroamericana.