title: Conjunctival aspergilloma with multiple mulberry nodules: a case report.
abstract: A 30-year-old healthy female presented with a 1-year history of chronic mucous discharge, tearing, and irritation in the left eye. Slit-lamp examination revealed severe papillary and follicular reaction surrounding a movable subconjunctival mass on the left upper tarsal conjunctiva. Incision and curettage were performed to establish the diagnosis. Multiple peculiar black mulberry nodules were obtained. The clumps of septate hyphae seen with periodic acid-Schiff stain were characteristic of fungus ball (aspergilloma). The patient's symptoms improved significantly after surgery without any antifungal therapy. Although rarely reported, aspergillus is a common fungus in the conjunctiva that may seed into the subconjunctiva. We present this case to remind ophthalmologists of such a rare cause of recalcitrant conjunctival inflammation in immunocompetent patients.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. jlchen@isca.vghks.gov.tw
authors: Jiunn-Liang
authors: JL
authors: Chen
authors: Cheng-Chiang
authors: CC
authors: Wang
authors: Shwu-Jiuan
authors: SJ
authors: Sheu
authors: Tzy-Ing
authors: TI
authors: Yeh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000473:pathology*; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D015821:Eye Infections, Fungal / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans