Post-LASIK epithelial dendritic defect associated with Alternaria.
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of a dendritic epithelial defect with interface inflammation associated with Alternaria sp. after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery.


METHODS
A case report of a 46-year-old woman who presented with a dendritic epithelial defect and interface inflammation after LASIK surgery.


RESULTS
After an apparent post-LASIK herpes simplex keratitis with related interface inflammation failed to respond to medical therapy, cornea culture results were positive for Alternaria fungal sp. 2 weeks and 6 days after presentation. Viral cultures and polymerase chain reaction were negative for herpes simplex virus. Six months after penetrating keratoplasty (and 1 year after LASIK), the patient underwent a cataract extraction OD. Best-corrected visual acuity 18 months after the original LASIK procedure was 20/25 OD.


CONCLUSIONS
Alternaria keratitis may present with a dendritic epithelial defect with interface inflammation mimicking herpes simplex virus.
Kocatürk
Tolga
T
Department of Ophthalmology, Adnan Menderes University Medical School, Aydin, Turkey.
Pineda
Roberto
R
Green
Laura K
LK
Azar
Dimitri T
DT
D000528:Alternaria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D003646:Debridement; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000382:microbiology*; D015821:Eye Infections, Fungal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017964:Itraconazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating; D008875:Middle Aged; D009181:Mycoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D015242:Ofloxacin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011112:Polymyxin B / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D014295:Trimethoprim / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D017964:Itraconazole; C056487:Polytrim eyedrops; D000666:Amphotericin B; D015242:Ofloxacin; D014295:Trimethoprim; D011112:Polymyxin B