title: Diagnosis of microsporidial keratitis by confocal microscopy and the chromatrope stain.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To illustrate the value of confocal microscopy and chromatrope stain in the diagnosis of microsporidial keratitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  In vivo confocal microscopy was performed on a man with the human immunodeficiency virus who had severe bilateral epithelial keratitis refractory to topical antibacterial medications. The results were compared to conjunctival scrapings stained with the chromatrope-based Weber stain.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Confocal microscopy demonstrated many small, intraepithelial opacities of the corneal epithelium, which were suggestive of Microsporidia. Results of the chromatrope stain of conjunctival scrapings confirmed the diagnosis of microsporidial keratitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rapid diagnosis allowed prompt initiation of topical fumagillin, which permitted rapid, long-term control of the symptoms of microsporidial keratitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Minnesota Hospital 55455-0501, USA.
authors.forename: G K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pfister
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Probst
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ferrieri
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Holland
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000187:drug effects / Q000469:parasitology; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects / Q000469:parasitology; D003510:Cyclohexanes; D004848:Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000469:parasitology; D015822:Eye Infections, Parasitic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods*; D016816:Microsporida / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016881:Microsporidiosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology; D012717:Sesquiterpenes
chemical_list: D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003510:Cyclohexanes; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; C026211:fumagillin