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.
Laboratory of Parasitology, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
P
P
Rossi
C
C
Urbani
G
G
Donelli
E
E
Pozio
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