Microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis in a healthy contact lens wearer without human immunodeficiency virus infection.
OBJECTIVE
To present a rare case of microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis in an otherwise healthy contact lens wearer without human immunodeficiency virus infection who responded to treatment with systemic albendazole and topical fumagillin.


METHODS
Interventional case report.


METHODS
A cornea epithelial scraping from a man with unilateral keratoconjunctivitis previously treated with topical steroids was evaluated by modified trichome staining.


METHODS
The patient was evaluated for his symptoms, visual acuity, clinical observations, and pathologic examination of corneal scrapes.


RESULTS
Modified trichome staining of an epithelial corneal scraping revealed pinkish to red organisms characteristic of microsporidia. Results of a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test were negative. The symptoms of ocular discomfort and clinical signs of keratoconjunctivitis resolved after 2 months of treatment with albendazole and topical fumagillin.


CONCLUSIONS
Ocular infection with microsporidia, although classically occurring in patients with HIV infection, may occur rarely in healthy individuals, especially if previously treated with systemic immune suppression or topical steroids. Microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a contact lens wearer with atypical multifocal diffuse epithelial keratitis.
Theng
J
J
Singapore National Eye Centre, 11 Third Hospital Avenue, Singapore 168751.
Chan
C
C
Ling
M L
ML
Tan
D
D
D000328:Adult; D015766:Albendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003263:Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic / Q000469:parasitology*; D003315:Cornea / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D003510:Cyclohexanes; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D015822:Eye Infections, Parasitic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D006801:Humans; D007637:Keratoconjunctivitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology*; D008297:Male; D016814:Microsporidia / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016881:Microsporidiosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology*; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D014792:Visual Acuity
D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D003510:Cyclohexanes; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; C026211:fumagillin; D015766:Albendazole