Purpose: To report the clinical features, phylogenetic characteristics, microbiological characteristics, and the management of the rare emerging fungal species Cylindrocarpon lichenicola.
Methods: A 55-year-old male farmer presented with a history of pain, redness, and defective vision. The corneal scrapings revealed septate hyphae macroconidia and multi-celled chlamydospores with lactophenol cotton blue mount. In addition, the culture revealed velvety to floccose, white growth with a pinkish-brown rim on the Sabouraud's dextrose agar. The growth was suggestive of the rare fungus Cylindrocarpon lichenicola.
Results: The course of the infection was rapidly progressive, involving the entire cornea with descemetocele and impending perforation. Reinfection with the rapid spread of disease to the sclera was noted; finally, evisceration with scleral frill excision was done.
Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first case report of Fulminant Sclero Keratomycosis caused by Cylindrocarpon lichenicola.
Keywords: Cylindrocarpon species; fusarium species; macroconidia.