SCIENTIFIC CORRESPONDENCE

Confocal microscopy of Aspergillus fumigatus keratitis

A M Avunduk¹, R W Beuerman², E D Varnell² and H E Kaufman²

¹ Karadeniz Technical University Medical School, Trabzon, Turkey
² Louisiana State University Eye Center, New Orleans, LA, USA

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Avni Murat Avunduk, Karadeniz Technical University Medical School, Trabzon, Turkey;
avunduk{at}ttnet.net.tr

Aim: To use a confocal microscope to characterise the treated and untreated courses of fungal keratitis.

Methods: In the first experiment, Aspergillus fumigatus stromal keratitis was produced in both eyes of seven New Zealand white rabbits. In the second experiment, keratitis was induced in right eyes of 20 rabbits. Group 1 rabbits were treated with topical fluconazole, group 2 rabbits received oral fluconazole, and group 3 rabbits were used as controls. The rabbits were examined with a slit lamp and confocal microscope 2, 6, 10, 14, and 20 days after inoculation. The corneal cultures were taken on days 2, 14, and 20 and biopsies were taken on days 2 and 22.

Results: On days 14 and 22 confocal microscopy was more sensitive than culture technique in both treated and untreated animals, since not all cases of fungal keratitis can be cultured.

Conclusion: This study indicates that confocal microscopy is a rapid and sensitive diagnostic tool for both the early diagnosis and non-invasive follow up of fungal keratitis

Keywords: fungal keratitis; Aspergillus fumigatus; confocal microscopy; fluconazole; rabbit

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This article has been cited by other articles:

• Jie Zhao, , Wu, X.-y., Yu, F.-S. X. (2009). Activation of Toll-like receptors 2 and 4 in Aspergillus fumigatus keratitis. Innate Immunity 15: 155-168 [Abstract]  
• Brasnu, E., Bourcier, T., Dupas, B., Degorge, S., Rodallec, T., Laroche, L., Borderie, V., Baudouin, C. (2007). In vivo confocal microscopy in fungal keratitis. Br. J. Ophthalmol. 91: 588-591 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Fan, D S, Liu, D T L, Chan, W-M, Lam, D S C, Avunduk, A M, Beuerman, R W, Varnell, E D, Kaufman, H E (2004). Comments on confocal microscopy of Aspergillus fumigatus keratitis. Br. J. Ophthalmol. 88: 849-850 [Full Text]  

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Comments on Confocal Microscopy of Aspergillus Fumigatus Keratitis

Dorothy S.P. Fan, et al.

BJO Online, 17 Nov 2003 [Full text]

Author's reply

Avni M Avunduk, et al.

BJO Online, 28 Nov 2003 [Full text]