Case Report: A Rare Fungal Keratitis Caused by Plectosphaerella Cucumerina. (16th March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shen, Zhongcheng; Zhang, Yawei; Li, Fangting; Zhang, Qin
• Is Part Of: Ocular immunology and inflammation. Volume 31:Number 3(2023)
• Page Start: 631
• Page End: 634
• Publication Date: 2023-03-16
• Subjects: Fungal keratitis -- Plectosphaerella cucumerina -- MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry -- IVCM -- pimaricin; Eye -- Diseases -- Immunological aspects -- Periodicals; Eye -- Inflammation -- Periodicals; 617.7
• DOI: 10.1080/09273948.2022.2039213
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0927-3948

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Purpose: To report a rare case of fungal keratitis caused by Plectosphaerella cucumerina . Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed the medical records of a case of fungal keratitis. Results: Silt-lamp biomicroscopy revealed corneal infiltration and epithelial defects. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) and in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) were performed to assist in the diagnosis and evaluate corneal conditions. The isolate was identified as Plectosphaerella cucumerina by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The patient was treated with topical 5% pimaricin and oral voriconazole for 1 month and recovered. Conclusion: Fungal keratitis caused by Plectosphaerella cucumerina is rare. AS-OCT and IVCM can help locate the lesion and diagnose fungal keratitis. Furthermore, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry showed potential prospects in the identification of filamentous fungi. Plectosphaerella cucumerina rarely infects humans and is sensitive to antifungal agents such as pimaricin and voriconazole.