Aspergillus terreus Infection in a Sutureless Self-sealing Incision Made During Cataract Surgery


ERDEM E., KANDEMIR H., Arikan-Akdagli S., ESEN E., AÇIKALIN A., YAĞMUR M., ...Daha Fazla

MYCOPATHOLOGIA, cilt.179, ss.129-134, 2015 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 179
  • Basım Tarihi: 2015
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s11046-014-9829-2
  • Dergi Adı: MYCOPATHOLOGIA
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.129-134
  • Çukurova Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Here, we describe a case of keratitis caused by Aspergillus terreus in an 80-year-old immunocompetent woman 1 month after uneventful cataract surgery. The patient presented with decreased visual acuity (20/50) and severe pain in her right eye. Examination revealed a 3.5 x 4.5 mm white-colored deep stromal infiltration located on the temporal corneal tunnel incision. Corneal scraping samples were obtained for cytological and culture examinations. The cinnamon-brown colonies consisting of a dense felt of conidiophores were identified as A. terreus using molecular data. Using CLSI M38-A2 microdilution method, minimum inhibitory concentration values of amphotericin B, itraconazole, voriconazole, and posaconazole were determined to be 2, 1, 0.25, and 1 mu g/ml, respectively, and minimum effective concentration values of caspofungin and anidulafungin were a parts per thousand currency sign0.03 and a parts per thousand currency sign0.03, respectively, at 48 h for the A. terreus strain. Antifungal therapy was started as topical 1 % voriconazole drops hourly and 5 % natamycin ointment five times a day; however, corneal infection and melting progressed despite the ongoing intensive treatment and visual acuity dropped to the 20/200 level at the end of the first week. Amniotic membrane transplantation was performed to promote corneal healing. Topical medication was tapered and discontinued within 2 months based on the clinical features. The ulcer healed with scarring and vascularization, and visual acuity improved to 20/50. In conclusion, A. terreus is a very uncommon cause of mycotic keratitis and is especially rare after cataract surgery. We suggest that early and accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment of A. terreus keratitis may have a major impact on preventing severe disease complications.