Resolution of microsporidial sinusitis and keratoconjunctivitis by itraconazole treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To report successful treatment of ocular infection caused by the microsporidium Encephalitozoon cuniculi in a person with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and nasal and paranasal sinus infection.


METHODS
Case report.


RESULTS
Microsporidial infection in a person with AIDS and with chronic sinusitis and keratoconjunctivitis was diagnosed by Weber modified trichrome stain and transmission electron microscopy. Symptoms completely resolved with itraconazole treatment (200 mg/day for 8 weeks) after albendazole therapy (400 mg/day for 6 weeks) was unsuccessful.


CONCLUSIONS
Itraconazole can be recommended in ocular, nasal, and paranasal sinus infection caused by E. cuniculi parasites when treatment with albendazole fails.
Rossi
P
P
Laboratory of Parasitology, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
Urbani
C
C
Donelli
G
G
Pozio
E
E
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009670:Encephalitozoon cuniculi / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016890:Encephalitozoonosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000469:parasitology; D015822:Eye Infections, Parasitic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D017964:Itraconazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007637:Keratoconjunctivitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D017964:Itraconazole