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Published on: September 20, 2018

Polymicrobial keratomycosis in a three-year-old child

Fulvio Parentin1, Tatiana Liberali, Paolo Perissutti

  • 1Department of Surgery-Ophthalmology Unit, Institute of Child Health 'BURLO GAROFOLO', Trieste, Italy. parentin@burlo.trieste.it

Ocular Immunology and Inflammation
|April 7, 2006
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

This case report details a rare polymicrobial fungal keratitis in a child caused by Candida lusitaniae, Candida parapsilosis, and Geotrichum candidum. Combined topical and systemic fluconazole effectively treated this infection, highlighting key risk factors.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Fungal keratitis is a serious ocular infection, often associated with trauma and corticosteroid use.
  • Polymicrobial fungal keratitis presents unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

Observation:

  • A three-year-old child presented with fungal keratitis following vegetable matter eye trauma and prolonged corticosteroid eyedrop use.
  • Corneal scraping cultures identified a polymicrobial infection involving Candida lusitaniae, Candida parapsilosis, and Geotrichum candidum.

Findings:

  • The patient was treated with topical 0.2% and systemic fluconazole.
  • Complete resolution of the corneal lesion was achieved with no recurrence.
  • This is the first reported case of fungal keratitis caused by the combination of C. lusitaniae and G. candidum.

Implications:

  • Corneal trauma with vegetative matter and indiscriminate corticosteroid use are significant risk factors for developing fungal keratitis.
  • Combination therapy with topical and systemic fluconazole is effective for treating this specific polymicrobial fungal keratitis.
  • This case expands the understanding of causative agents and effective treatments for polymicrobial fungal keratitis.

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