Microsporidial stromal keratitis: an uncommon etiology of bilateral simultaneous corneal infection

  • Pragnya R. Donthineni, Dr. Cornea Service, L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderbad
  • Somasheila I. Murthy Cornea Service, L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderbad
  • Joveeta Joseph Jhaveri Microbiology Centre L V Prasad Eye Institute
  • Prashant Garg Director, Kallam Anji Reddy Campus, L V Prasad Eye Insititute
  • Manisha Acharya Cornea And Refractive Surgery Dept Dr Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital
  • Virender Sangwan Director, Innovations, Dr Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital
Keywords: bilateral corneal infection, indolent keratitis, microsporidia outcomes, microsporidial stromal keratitis, therapeutic keratoplasty

Abstract

We report three cases of bilateral microsporidial keratitis, which is an unusual presentation. All three patients presented with bilateral, simultaneous, asymmetrical, deep stromal corneal infiltrates with symptoms ranging from 5 to 12 months. Predisposing factors were noted in two of three patients. Corneal scrapings for microbiology and histopathology of corneal tissue revealed microsporidial spores from both eyes of all patients. There was no response to medical therapy and all underwent bilateral corneal transplantation. Case one additionally had recurrences in the graft and underwent repeat keratoplasties and eventually keratoprosthesis. Microsporidial stromal keratitis is a possible cause of keratitis in cases of very long-standing, indolent, culture-negative, deep stromal corneal infiltrates. So far, this infection has been reported as unilateral; however, we report these cases of bilateral infection, which is rare. Corneal transplantation is the preferred line of management due to lack of response to medical therapy.

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Published
2020-12-31
How to Cite
Donthineni, P., Murthy, S., Joseph, J., Garg, P., Acharya, M., & Sangwan, V. (2020). Microsporidial stromal keratitis: an uncommon etiology of bilateral simultaneous corneal infection. Asian Journal of Ophthalmology, 17(3), 311-317. https://doi.org/10.35119/asjoo.v17i3.720
Section
Case Reports/Case Series