title: Clinical characteristics and outcome of Candida keratitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To characterize the clinical features and therapeutic outcome of Candida keratitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective, observational case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed 26 patients treated for Candida keratitis, including two with recurrent keratitis and one with bilateral infection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 29 keratitis episodes resulting from Candida albicans (n = 20) or Candida parapsilosis (n = 9), 16 (55%) complicated chronic ocular surface disease, and nine (31%) followed previous keratoplasty. Only two were clinically suspected to have keratomycosis at initial presentation, and 21 (72%) used antibacterial therapy before corneal scrapings. Reconstructive keratoplasty occurred more often in previously grafted eyes (P = .03). Visual outcome was 20/60 or better in six (100%) medically treated eyes with good presenting visual acuity but in only five eyes (24%) with worse initial vision (P = .002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Candida keratitis is an opportunistic infection of a compromised cornea that often is misdiagnosed initially and, despite antifungal therapy, occasionally requires corneal grafting.
authors.affiliation: Sid W. Richardson Ocular Microbiology Laboratory, Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Regina L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Dan B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Kirk R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Wilhelmus
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D016039:Corneal Transplantation; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D015821:Eye Infections, Fungal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000666:Amphotericin B