Diagnosis of microsporidial keratitis by confocal microscopy and the chromatrope stain.
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.
Shah
G K
GK
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Minnesota Hospital 55455-0501, USA.
Pfister
D
D
Probst
L E
LE
Ferrieri
P
P
Holland
E
E
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
D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003510:Cyclohexanes; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; C026211:fumagillin