title: Rapid molecular diagnosis of posttraumatic keratitis and endophthalmitis caused by Alternaria infectoria.
abstract: The first case of Alternaria infectoria ocular infection is reported. Keratitis and endophthalmitis developed after eye-perforating trauma from a lemon tree branch. Two months after surgery and empirical steroid and antibiotic treatment, diagnosis by molecular methods was performed. PCR amplification was positive for a fungus after 4 h. Antifungal treatment with amphotericin B and fluconazole was initiated immediately. DNA sequence analysis showed Alternaria infectoria to be the causal agent. After topical and systemic administration of antifungal treatment, ocular inflammation disappeared and visual acuity improved. DNA typing was found to be a useful tool to achieve early identification of the causal agent.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Alicante, Spain. cferrer@oftalio.com
authors.forename: Consuelo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ferrer
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Montero
authors.forename: Jorge L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Alió
authors.forename: José L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Abad
authors.forename: José M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ruiz-Moreno
authors.forename: Francisca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Colom
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000528:Alternaria / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D015821:Eye Infections, Fungal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D015807:Eye Injuries, Penetrating / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016533:Mycological Typing Techniques; D009181:Mycoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013997:Time Factors