Microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis in a patient without human immunodeficiency virus infection.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a case of microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis in a patient without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.


METHODS
Case report. An epithelial corneal scraping from a woman with chronic bilateral keratoconjunctivitis was evaluated by Giemsa stain.


RESULTS
Giemsa stain of an epithelial corneal scraping disclosed intracellular and extracellular spores characteristic of microsporidia. An HIV enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test was negative. The signs and symptoms of the bilateral keratoconjunctivitis resolved after treatment with albendazole.


CONCLUSIONS
Microsporidia may cause a chronic epithelial keratoconjunctivitis in the absence of HIV infection.
Silverstein
B E
BE
Francis I. Proctor Foundation, University of California, San Francisco 94122-0944, USA.
Cunningham
E T
ET
Margolis
T P
TP
Cevallos
V
V
Wong
I G
IG
D000328:Adult; D015766:Albendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000469:parasitology*; D015822:Eye Infections, Parasitic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D006801:Humans; D007637:Keratoconjunctivitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D016816:Microsporida / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016881:Microsporidiosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D014792:Visual Acuity
D000871:Anthelmintics; D015766:Albendazole