title: Post-LASIK epithelial dendritic defect associated with Alternaria.
abstract: 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.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Adnan Menderes University Medical School, Aydin, Turkey.
authors: Tolga
authors: T
authors: Kocatürk
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Pineda
authors: Laura K
authors: LK
authors: Green
authors: Dimitri T
authors: DT
authors: Azar
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D017964:Itraconazole; C056487:Polytrim eyedrops; D000666:Amphotericin B; D015242:Ofloxacin; D014295:Trimethoprim; D011112:Polymyxin B