Fungal keratitis due to Scopulariopsis brevicaulis in an eye previously suffering from herpetic keratitis

Ophthalmologica. 1994;208(6):333-5. doi: 10.1159/000310533.

Abstract

In the case reported, herpes virus I after having caused relapsing keratitis in an eye promoted the formation of a severe corneal ulcer caused by Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, a saprophytic mycete found in soil, which only once has been described as the cause of keratitis in man. Scopulariopsis was identified microscopically after culturing the conjunctival secretion on Sabouraud dextrose agar medium, while DNA probe tests confirmed the absence of herpes virus I. Topical and oral administration of miconazole and scraping of the corneal infiltrate dispersed the infection. Subsequently local steroids were given to reduce the neovascularization, and a therapeutic contact lens was applied because of intercurrent corneal thinning. Three months after beginning antifungal therapy, the visual acuity had increased from 1/120 to 1/10. The case described confirms that S. brevicaulis can cause opportunist infections in a cornea previously damaged by a different agent.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Conjunctiva / microbiology
  • Corneal Ulcer / drug therapy
  • Corneal Ulcer / microbiology*
  • Corneal Ulcer / pathology
  • Eye Infections, Fungal / complications*
  • Eye Infections, Fungal / drug therapy
  • Eye Infections, Fungal / microbiology
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Keratitis, Herpetic / complications*
  • Male
  • Miconazole / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Mitosporic Fungi / drug effects
  • Mitosporic Fungi / isolation & purification*
  • Mycoses / complications*
  • Mycoses / drug therapy
  • Mycoses / microbiology
  • Opportunistic Infections / complications*
  • Opportunistic Infections / drug therapy
  • Opportunistic Infections / microbiology
  • Visual Acuity

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Miconazole