Canaliculitis with isolation of Pityrosporum pachydermatis

A case of canaliculitis with obstruction of the lacrimal canaliculus and accumulation of conglomerates is described. Pityrosporum pachydermatis was cultured from the conglomerates. To the best of our knowledge this organism has not been previously implicated in such infections. Cure was obtained by treatment with nystatin administered topically and as an irrigation of the lacrimal pathways. The possibility that the pathogenesis of the canaliculitis and obstruction of the lacrimal pathways lies in decreased function of the lacrimal pump is discussed.