Acremonium keratitis: Risk factors, clinical characteristics, management, and outcome in 65 cases

Purpose: To study the risk factors, clinical presentation, management options, and outcomes in cases of culture?proven Acremonium keratitis. Methods: Medical and microbiology records of culture?proven Acremonium keratitis from Jan 2007 to Dec 2019 at a tertiary eye care center were reviewed. Details of clinical findings on each visit and operating notes were reviewed from the medical records. All cases were subjected to corneal scraping at the first visit for microbiological investigation consisting of direct smear examination and culture. Topical natamycin 5% was the mainstay of medical treatment. Surgical treatment was considered for nonresponding patients. Results: During the 13?year study period, 65 cases of culture?proven Acremonium keratitis were identified out of 1605 cases of fungal keratitis. Trauma was the most common predisposing factor in 32 cases (49.2%). The average area of the corneal stromal infiltrate was 24.8 mm2 at the initial presentation. Hypopyon at the time of presentation was evident in 28 (43.1%) cases. Staphylococcus spp. was the most common (n = 22, 33.8%) organism coexistent with Acremonium. Direct microscopy of corneal scraping was positive for fungal filaments in 57/65 (87.6%) cases. Medical management alone was given in 44 patients (67.6%). Age (>50 years) and treatment delay (>15 days) were found to be independent risk factors for the poor final visual outcome (VA <20/60). Conclusion: When treated early, Acremonium keratitis responds well to medical therapy with currently available topical antifungals. However, advanced and nonresponding cases require surgical intervention for resolution of the infection

Etiologia e Perfil Epidemiológico das Ceratites Fúngicas no Hospital São Geraldo/Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais / Etiology and Epidemiological Profile of Fungal Keratitis at Hospital São Geraldo/Hospital das Clínicas of the Federal University of Minas Gerais

Objetivo: Investigar a etiologia e o perfil epidemiológico da ceratite fúngica (CF) em um centro de referência no estado de Minas Gerais. Design: Estudo retrospectivo longitudinal Métodos: Foram revisados os prontuários de pacientes com ceratite fúngica comprovada laboratorialmente no Hospital São Geraldo/HC-UFMG de janeiro de 2015 a dezembro de 2020. Resultados: Foram incluídos 114 pacientes. Destes, 81,6% eram do sexo masculino, com idade média de 47,3 anos e 79,2% oriundos de zonas rurais. Em 60% dos casos, a admissão no serviço foi entre os meses de maio a setembro. O principal fator predisponente encontrado foi o trauma ocular, registrado em 59,1% dos pacientes, sendo que, em 41,3% destes, o trauma se deu com material vegetal. Além disso, 40,1% tinham doenças sistêmicas, 15% dos pacientes tinham doenças oculares prévias, 13,2% tinham história de cirurgias oculares anteriores e 2,7 % eram usuários de lente de contato. Ao exame inicial, 56,4% dos pacientes apresentavam acuidade visual (AV) > 2,0 (LogMAR), 37,2% hipópio, 34,6% infiltrado estromal maior que 5 mm e 15% perfuração ocular. Os fungos filamentosos foram os mais prevalentes (103/114 casos; 90,3%), sendo que o Fusarium foi o gênero mais frequente entre os filamentosos (72/103; 70%), seguido de Aspergillus (20/103; 19,4%). Dos fungos leveduriformes, tivemos 11 casos de Candida sp. (9,6%), sendo sete casos de Candida albicans (63,7%), um de Candida parapsilosis (9,1%) e três casos sem identificação da espécie (27,3%). Dos 114 pacientes, 102 (89,5%) receberam tratamento com antifúngico tópico; em 96 (94,1%) olhos foi utilizada pimaricina e, em 50 olhos (49%), anfotericina B. Antifúngico sistêmico foi utilizado por 88/113 pacientes (77,9%). Transplante de córnea terapêutico foi necessário em 54/113 pacientes (47,8%). Houve recidiva no enxerto transplantado em 12 olhos (22,2%), em média 13 dias após o transplante. Complicações oculares da CF foram observadas em 56/111 pacientes (50,5%). O tempo de cicatrização foi em média de 40 dias (mediana: 36,5 dias). Logo após a cura, a AV ficou > 2,0 (LogMAR) em 58 pacientes (61,1%). À análise de regressão logística multivariada, os fatores de risco significativos (p<0,05) para ocorrência de perfuração e/ou necessidade de transplante de córnea terapêutico foram o tamanho do infiltrado corneano > 5 mm na maior extensão e AV inicial (LogMAR) > 2,0. Conclusões: Este é o estudo com o maior número de casos abordando o perfil etiológico e epidemiológico da ceratite fúngica no estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. A CF foi predominante em homens adultos jovens oriundos de zonas rurais, nos meses de maio a setembro, coincidente com a época de maior atividade agrícola do estado. O principal fator de risco foi o trauma ocular. Fusarium sp. seguido de Aspergillus sp. foram os patógenos predominantes das CF na região estudada. Palavras chave: Ceratite fúngica. Infecção corneana. Epidemiologia. Etiologia. Transplante de córnea.

Objective: To investigate the etiology and epidemiological profile of fungal keratitis (FK) in a referral center in the state of Minas Gerais. Design: Longitudinal retrospective study Methods: We reviewed the medical records of patients with laboratory-proven fungal keratitis at Hospital São Geraldo/HC-UFMG from January 2015 to December 2020. Results: 114 patients were included. Of these, 81.6% were male, with a mean age of 47.3 years and 79.2% came from rural areas. In 60% of the cases, admission was between the months of May and September. The main predisposing factor was ocular trauma, recorded in 59.1% of the patients, and in 41.3% of these, trauma occurred with vegetable matter. In addition, 40.1% had systemic diseases, 15% had other eye diseases, 13.2% had a history of previous ocular surgeries, and 2.7% were contact lens wearers. At presentation, 56.4% of the patients had visual acuity (VA) > 2.0 (LogMAR), 37.2% had hypopyon, 34.6% displayed stromal infiltrate greater than 5 mm and 15% had ocular perforation. Filamentous fungi were the most prevalent (103/114 cases; 90.3%), with Fusarium being the most frequent genus among filamentous fungi (72/103; 70%), followed by Aspergillus (20/103; 19, 4%). Of the yeast-like fungi, we had 11 cases of Candida sp. (9.6%), being seven cases of Candida albicans (63.7%), one of Candida parapsilosis (9.1%) and three cases without identification of the species (27.3%). Of the 114 patients, 102 (89.5%) received topical antifungal treatment; pimaricin was used in 96 (94.1%) eyes and amphotericin B in 50 eyes (49%). Systemic antifungal was used by 88/113 patients (77.9%). Therapeutic corneal transplantation was required in 54/113 patients (47.8%). There was recurrence of fungal infection in the transplanted graft in 12 eyes (22.2%), at an average of 13 days after transplantation. Ocular complications of CF were observed in 56/111 patients (50.5%). Healing time averaged 40 days (median: 36.5 days). Immediately after healing, VA was > 2.0 (LogMAR) in 58 patients (61.1%). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, significant risk factors (p<0.05) for occurrence of perforation and/or need for therapeutic corneal transplantation were corneal infiltrate size > 5 mm at greatest extent and initial AV (LogMAR) > 2.0. Conclusions: This is largest investigation on the etiological and epidemiological profiles of fungal keratitis in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. FK was predominant in young adult men from rural areas, most frequently during period of high agricultural activity in the state, with the main risk factor being ocular trauma with vegetable matter. Fusarium sp. followed by Aspergillus sp. were the predominant pathogens implicated in FK in the region studied. Keywords: Fungal keratitis. Corneal infection. Epidemiology. Etiology. Corneal transplant.

Repair of corneal ulcer or perforation using the corneal stromal lenticule / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To describe the outcomes of corneal stromal lenticules in repairing of corneal ulcer and/or perforation.METHODS:This was a retrospective chart review of 6 eyes of 6 patients from January to June 2017,who underwent corneal ulcer repair with the corneal,stromal lenticules harvested from femtosecond laser refractive surgery and kept in pure glycerin for use.Three cases of infectious corneal ulcers were bacterial,fungal,and infection with foreign bodies in corneal deep layer,one each.The other 3 were corneal ulcer perforation.Making sure no air bubble between donor graft and Descemet membrane.The mean follow-up time was 3.71 ±1.56mo (range 1-6mo).RESULTS:All eyes were successfully treated under control of infection without intra-operative complications,and early postoperative evaluation showed a clear graft in all cases.The last follow-up visit showed the mean best corrected visual acuity (VA) significantly improved after surgery.There was significant difference from 0.48±0.12 to 1.50±0.08 (P＜0.01).CONCLUSION:The preliminary results suggest that the use of corneal stromal lenticules may be a safe and effective surgical alternative for corneal ulcer,even though the long-term outcome of the graft needs to be further observed.

Research on Evaluating Method of Location of Dyeing Materials for Color Contact Lenses / 中国医疗器械杂志

Combining frozen section and scanning electron microscopy experiments to observe the cross section and surface state of the samples, this study finds an effective method to evaluate the location of dyeing materials of color contact lenses. Sixty samples were evaluated on their dyeing location statistically using this method. The results showed that there were only 7 lots of samples with their dyeing materials within their product. This method is effective in evaluating the location of dyeing materials for color contact lenses.

Queratopatía cristalina: diagnóstico clínico y microbiológico de una infección corneal infrecuente causada por el grupo Streptococcus mitis

El objetivo del presente informe es describir un caso de queratopatía cristalina causada por microorganismos pertenecientes al grupo Streptococcus mitis en una paciente que concurrió a la consulta oftalmológica por molestias en su ojo derecho. Al examen oftalmológico presentó un punto de sutura interrumpida de nylon 10-0 sin tensión y con secreciones mucosas adheridas. El punto flojo fue retirado bajo normas de asepsia. Se indicó colirio de moxifloxacina al 0,5 %; el ojo tuvo una evolución adecuada, con una correcta epitelización. Sin embargo, luego de 15 días desarrolló un infiltrado blanquecino arboriforme. Se tomó una muestra en el quirófano, enhebrando el trayecto intraestromal de la sutura retirada con sutura de vicryl 7-0. Se indicaron colirios de vancomicina con 50 mg/ml. El infiltrado se mantuvo estable durante 45 días, luego se incrementó el tamaño y se produjo necrosis tisular con peligro de perforación corneal. Se realizó un recubrimiento conjuntival bipediculado. La paciente evolucionó favorablemente y luego de la retracción espontánea del recubrimiento, se observó leucoma cicatrizal y neovasos corneales.

Crystalline keratopathy: an infrequent corneal infection produced by the Streptococcus mitis group. The objective of this report is to describe a case of crystalline keratopathy caused by the Streptococcus mitis group corresponding to a patient who attended hospital for discomfort in his right eye. The ophthalmological examination showed an interrupted stitch of 10-0 nylon suture without tension and with attached mucus secretions. The loose suture was removed under aseptic conditions. Moxifloxacin 0.5 % eye drops were topically indicated. The treated eye successfully epithelialized and evolved favorably. However, after 15 days, a white tree-shaped infiltrate developed. A corneal sample was taken in the operating room, threading the intrastromal path of the removed stitch with a 7-0 vicryl suture. Vancomycin 50 mg/ml drops were indicated. The infiltrate, which was stable for 45 days, later increased its size and tissue necrosis occurred with danger of corneal perforation. A bipedicle conjunctival flap was performed in the affected corneal area, which evolved favorably. After spontaneous conjunctival flap retraction, only corneal scarring and neovascularization outside the visual axis were observed.

Evaluation of Three Different Methods to Establish Animal Models of Acanthamoeba Keratitis

PURPOSE: To produce animal models of Acanthamoeba keratitis and to evaluate the advantages and adaptation range of each of the three methods employed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mice and Wistar rats in three groups of 15 rats and 15 mice each were used to establish the models. Right corneas in group A were scratched and challenged with Acanthamoeba. Those in group B were scratched and covered with contact lenses incubated with Acanthamoeba. Those in group C received an intrastromal injection of Acanthamoeba. Five rats and 5 mice in each group were used for histopathological investigations and the other 10 in each group were used for clinical evaluation. The models were evaluated by slit lamp examination, microscopic examination and culture of corneal scrapings, HE staining of corneal sections, and pathological scoring of the infections. RESULTS: Four rats and 6 mice in group A, 7 rats and 8 mice in group B, and 10 rats and 10 mice in group C developed typical Acanthamoeba keratitis. CONCLUSION: Corneal scratching alone has the lowest infection rate, while scratching and then covering with contaminated contact lenses has a moderate rate of infection and most closely mimics what happens in most human infections. Intrastromal injection of Acanthamoeba gives a much higher infection rate and more severe Acanthamoeba keratitis.

Dermatomicose e ceratite micótica causada por Exophiala sp em um cão / Dermatomycosis and mycotic keratitis caused by Exophiala sp in a dog

Neste trabalho, descreve-se o diagnóstico e a conduta terapêutica aplicada em caso de dermatomicose e ceratite micótica causada por Exophiala sp em um cão com um ano e seis meses de idade. Os sinais clínicos incluíam alopecia, crostas, despigmentação e ulceração do plano nasal e focinho, e ceratite superficial bilateral no canto lateral dos olhos. Na cultura fúngica foi isolado Exophiala sp e o exame histopatológico da biopsia cutânea revelou dermatite nodular superficial e profunda granulomatosa. O tratamento com itraconazol sistêmico promoveu remissão dos sinais clínicos. Conclui-se que a realização de cultura fúngica e biópsia de pele são exames complementares eficazes no diagnóstico de dermatomicoses e que o emprego de itraconazol sistêmico pode ser efetivo no tratamento de dermatite fúngica e ceratite micótica causado por Exophiala sp em cão.

This report describes the diagnosis and the therapeutic conduct applied to the cases of subcutaneous dermatomycosis and mycotic keratitis caused by Exophiala sp in a one and a half year-old dog. The clinical signs included alopecia, crusts, dispigmentation, ulcerations in the nose and superficial bilateral keratitis in the corner of the eyes. In the fungal cultures, Exophiala sp was isolated and the microscopic analysis revealed characteristics of fungal dermatitis. Systemic therapy with itraconazole evidenced remission of clinical signs. The realization of fungal cultures and cutaneous biopsy are efficient complementary procedures in the diagnosis of dermatomycosis and that the usage of oral itraconazole can be effective in the treatment of fungal dermatitis and mycotic keratitis caused by Exophiala sp in dogs.

The Lysozymal Concentration in Tear Film of Contact Lens Us ers

The contact lens wearers are exposed to the risk of permanent visual dysfunction due to various ocular diseases, especially corneal infections. And ocular disease of contact lens wearers are reported to be closely related to the biochemical alterations of tear film. To compare the lysozyme concentration of reflex tear in normal subjects and contact lens wearers, the tear was collected from 38 eyes of 38 normal subjects and 34 eyes of 34 contact lens wearers. The age of the subjects were between 20 to 39 years. The mean concentration of tear lysozyme were 3.55 +/-0.9 6 milligram/milliliter in normal subjects and 3.66 +/-1.02 milligram/milliliter in contact lens wearers. There was no statisti-cally significant difference between the two groups[p>0.05 ]. Though contact lens wearing does not decrease the concentration of tear lysozyme, it seems that this protein serves as a mediator of corneal infection by adhering to the surface of the contact lenses.

Scientific issues and strategies for pathogenic diagnosis of corneal infection in China / 眼科

Corneal infection is the leading cause of corneal blindness in China.Timely diagnosis and reasonable treatment of infections in the cornea are based on accurate identification of corneal pathogens.With improved realization and technical development,pathogenic diagnostic techniques for infectious corneal disease have improved.However,many scientific issues remain to be challenging.In this article,the scientific issues and constructive strategies are presented for pathogenic diagnosis of corneal infection in China.