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Periconia species - An unusual fungal pathogen causing mycotic keratitis

Rameshkumar Gunasekaran1, Divya Janakiraman2, Siva Ganesa Karthikeyan Rajapandian1

  • 1Department of Ocular Microbiology, Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.

Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology
|February 21, 2021
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

This study details the first reported cases of Periconia keratitis, a rare fungal eye infection. Early diagnosis and antifungal treatment lead to a good visual prognosis, highlighting the importance of molecular identification for unusual fungal pathogens.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Fungal keratitis is a significant cause of corneal blindness worldwide.
  • Periconia species are rarely reported as causative agents of human infections, particularly keratitis.
  • Accurate identification of fungal pathogens is crucial for effective treatment and management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the epidemiology, risk factors, clinical characteristics, and treatment outcomes of Periconia keratitis.
  • To emphasize the role of molecular diagnostic techniques in identifying rare fungal causes of corneal ulcers.
  • To establish the visual prognosis associated with Periconia keratitis.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of clinical records from a tertiary referral center (January 2012 - December 2013).
  • Inclusion criteria: culture-proven fungal ulcers with molecular identification of Periconia species.
  • Data collected included patient demographics, clinical features, treatment modalities, and outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Periconia keratitis accounted for 0.6% of 1356 fungal keratitis cases.
  • The mean age of affected individuals was 59 years, with a higher prevalence in males (75%).
  • Most patients (75%) had infiltrates <5mm; 50% responded to antifungal therapy, with a mean healing duration of 20 days.

Conclusions:

  • This is the first report of Periconia species causing human corneal ulcers.
  • Molecular identification is vital for diagnosing rare fungal keratitis, improving understanding of disease pathology.
  • Prompt diagnosis and early topical antifungal treatment are associated with a favorable visual prognosis.
Keywords:
Fungal keratitisITSKeratomycosisMolecular diagnosisPericonia keratitis

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