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Aspergillus flavus scleritis: successful treatment with voriconazole and caspofungin

Alan Howell1, John Midturi, Miguel Sierra-Hoffman

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Scott & White Memorial Hospital and Clinic, Temple, Texas 76508, USA. ahowell@swmail.sw.org

Medical Mycology
|January 7, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Aspergillus scleritis, a severe eye infection, is challenging to treat due to poor blood supply in the sclera. This study reports a successful treatment using voriconazole and caspofungin for this fungal infection.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Aspergillus scleritis is a severe ocular infection often occurring post-surgery, trauma, or IV drug use.
  • Poor scleral vascularity complicates treatment of fungal infections.
  • Current anti-fungal treatments lack consistent efficacy for scleral fungal infections.

Observation:

  • A case of Aspergillus scleritis is presented.
  • The infection was associated with ocular surgery.
  • The patient had a history of intravenous drug use.

Findings:

  • Successful treatment of Aspergillus scleritis was achieved using a combination therapy.
  • The combination therapy included voriconazole and caspofungin.
  • A literature review on Aspergillus scleritis treatment was conducted.

Implications:

  • Combination therapy with voriconazole and caspofungin shows promise for treating Aspergillus scleritis.
  • Further research is needed to establish optimal treatment protocols for scleral fungal infections.
  • Improved therapeutic strategies are required for managing this sight-threatening condition.

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