First Case of Fungal Corneal Ulcer Caused by Pestalotiopsis mangiferae

ABSTRACT

Pestalotiopsis species are filamentous fungi that are known plant pathogens commonly isolated in tropical and subtropical regions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of human infection caused by Pestalotiopsis mangiferae. An 80-year-old male farmer presented with ocular pain in the right eye. At initial presentation, slit-lamp examination showed a 3.0×2.5 mm-sized epithelial defect in the cornea of the right eye accompanied by corneal thinning. A KOH examination revealed spores, and consequently, treatment with voriconazole, ceftazidime, and moxifloxacin was initiated. One month later, a second KOH examination and fungal culture were performed. The results of the KOH examination indicated the presence of many hyphae, and fungus was isolated from the culture. Molecular identification revealed that the sequence had 100% similarity to P. mangiferae. The patient was treated with therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty. During follow-up in the outpatient clinic, signs of infection were not observed.