Microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis caused by Septata intestinalis in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To examine and treat a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) who had mildly hyperemic conjunctiva and epithelial keratopathy in both eyes.


METHODS
The patient underwent conjunctival biopsy. The specimen was examined by transmission electron microscopy.


RESULTS
Septata intestinalis was demonstrated to be the cause of keratoconjunctivitis in the patient. The keratoconjunctivitis resolved after three weeks of therapy with topical fumagillin. No organisms were seen on repeat conjunctival biopsy.


CONCLUSIONS
Microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis in patients with AIDS can be caused by S. intestinalis. This condition appears to respond to topical fumagillin.
Lowder
C Y
CY
Division of Ophthalmology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH 44195, USA.
McMahon
J T
JT
Meisler
D M
DM
Dodds
E M
EM
Calabrese
L H
LH
Didier
E S
ES
Cali
A
A
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001706:Biopsy; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D003510:Cyclohexanes; D004848:Epithelium / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D015822:Eye Infections, Parasitic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D007637:Keratoconjunctivitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology*; D008297:Male; D016816:Microsporida / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016881:Microsporidiosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D012717:Sesquiterpenes
D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D003510:Cyclohexanes; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; C026211:fumagillin