Conidiobolus, a hitherto unidentified pathogen in microbial keratitis

Abstract

Fungal infections are a significantly increasing cause of ocular and systemic morbidity; the vast majority of cases being ascribed to a handful of species. Fungal keratitis, unlike systemic infections, usually occur in immunocompetent individuals. Rarely, systemic infections can be associated with ocular involvement (e.g., Candida, Mucor, Pythium), or a fungus that predominantly causes systemic disease can affect the eye. One such fungus is Conidiobolus which is known to cause muco-cutaneous infections. We report the identification and successful treatment of a case of Conidiobolus corneal ulcer in an immunocompetent individual, who had no co-existing muco-cutaneous disease. Identification of this particular fungus and awareness of its potential to cause systemic disease is especially relevant, given its potential for chronic indolent infection of the subcutaneous tissues. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a Conidiobolus corneal ulcer.

Keywords

• conidiobolus
• diagnosis
• keratitis
• treatment