Voriconazole in fungal keratitis caused by Scedosporium apiospermum

Ann Pharmacother. 2004 Mar;38(3):414-7. doi: 10.1345/aph.1D128. Epub 2004 Jan 30.

Abstract

Objective: To describe the first case, to the best of our knowledge, of posttraumatic Scedosporium apiospermum (ScA) keratitis successfully treated with systemic and topical voriconazole.

Case summary: A 19-year-old man was admitted to the hospital with an incisive wound of his left eye and the cornea totally sectioned after trauma with a cutter used in gardening. Initial empirical treatment was followed by systemic and topical voriconazole, and the eye did not have to be enucleated. Five months after the trauma, a penetrating keratoplasty and chamber intraocular lens implantation was performed with a favorable visual outcome.

Discussion: ScA keratitis is rare, but it must be suspected if a history of ocular injury with contaminated objects exists. Among the antifungals available to treat ScA keratitis, voriconazole has shown advantages such as the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration and the availability of an oral formulation.

Conclusions: Voriconazole shows promise as an effective alternative to conventional antifungals in the treatment of ScA keratitis. It is available both as oral and intravenous preparations, which is a great advantage in these lengthy infections.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Eye Injuries / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Keratitis / drug therapy*
  • Keratitis / etiology
  • Male
  • Pyrimidines / therapeutic use*
  • Scedosporium*
  • Triazoles / therapeutic use*
  • Voriconazole

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Pyrimidines
  • Triazoles
  • Voriconazole