First case of Kluyveromyces marxianus (Candida kefyr) late onset keratitis after lamellar endothelial corneal graft

Abstract

We present a case of Kluyveromyces marxianus keratitis nine months after Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) in a patient with Fuchs endothelial disease. Endothelial scraping revealed this rare yeast infection at the interface between graft and host cornea. Immediate antifungal treatment with intracameral and corneal intrastromal injections of voriconazole and amphotericin B remained unsuccessful, requiring penetrating keratoplasty. This case highlights the challenging management of keratomycosis in patients with endothelial grafts.

Keywords

• Fungal keratits
• Kluyveromyces marxianus (Candida kefyr)
• DMEK
• Corneal transplantation
• Voriconazole
• Amphotericin B