ABSTRACT
Pythium insidiosum is a fungus-like organism known to infect a variety of animals. In humans, the few known cases involving Pythium have included arterial infections and cellulitis. We present what we believe to be the first case of P. insidiosum recovered from a human corneal ulcer. The organism is difficult to isolate, causing delays in diagnosis. It is also resistant to the usual antifungal medications, making surgical excision the treatment of choice.
Subject(s)
Corneal Ulcer/microbiology , Eye Infections, Fungal , Mycoses , Pythium , Adult , Cornea/microbiology , Corneal Ulcer/surgery , Female , Humans , Keratoplasty, PenetratingABSTRACT
A case of locked-in syndrome is described and the literature is reviewed. The disorder consists of quadriplegia and mutism with preserved consciousness. The only remaining voluntary movements are usually vertical eye movements and eyelid blinking. Most cases are caused by basilar artery occlusion resulting in a brainstem infarction in the ventral pons. Health care personnel must be aware that: 1) cognition and some cutaneous sensation is intact and 2) while for most patients the prognosis is poor, there is some chance for partial to almost complete recovery.
