Keratitis by Scopulariopsis brevicaulis Fungus After LASIK – A Case Report

• Autor(a) principal: Baptista, Pedro Manuel
• Data de Publicação: 2021
• Outros Autores: Vieira, Rita, Monteiro, Sílvia, Abreu, Ana Carolina, Gomes, Miguel, Pinto, Maria do Céu
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.16/2832
• topic: Scopulariopsis brevicaulis; fungus; keratitis; laser in situ keratomileusis; laser vision correction

Purpose: To describe a rare case of an interface filamentous fungal keratitis and its successful clinical approach and management. Patients and methods: Retrospective case report. Analysis of the patient's clinical records. Results: A healthy 30-year-old woman presenting with complaints of blurred vision, photophobia and intense pain, was previously diagnosed with a suspected unilateral diffuse lamellar keratitis after laser in situ keratomileusis surgery, and accordingly treated with a scheme of oral and subconjunctival corticosteroids. Due to worsening of symptoms, the patient was later referred to our ophthalmology department. Upon examination, a corneal infiltration was observed and a fungal infection was suspected. Treatment with fortified Voriconazole (1%) was initiated and both topical and oral corticosteroids were tapered. The infiltrate resolved after 6 weeks of antifungal topical treatment. Scopulariopsis brevicaulis was isolated on culture media. At the end of follow-up, the uncorrected distance visual acuity was 20/20 with mild scarring. Conclusion: Scopulariopsis brevicaulis can be associated with post-laser in situ keratomileusis interface infection. A quick intervention may dictate a good outcome, when combining early suspicion and microbiological diagnosis, and an appropriate conservative management. Furthermore, Voriconazole seems to be effective and safe in the treatment of such cases.