Clinical experiences in fungal keratitis caused by Acremonium.
OBJECTIVE
To report the predisposing risk factors, clinical presentation, management, and therapeutic outcomes of fungal keratitis caused by Acremonium.


METHODS
This is a retrospective study of cases with Acremonium fungal keratitis that presented to our tertiary referral center between January 2006 and August 2012. Patient demographic and clinical details were determined and reported.


RESULTS
Five cases of fungal keratitis from Acremonium species were identified in five patients (three males, two females). The mean age of the patients was of 73.4±5.46 years, with a mean follow-up time of 124±72 days. All patients had a history of corneal trauma with vegetable matter. Four cases were unresponsive to initial treatment (0.2% fluconazole, 0.15% amphotericin B) and required topical 5% natamycin, and, in two out of five cases, topical 1% voriconazole.


CONCLUSIONS
The most common risk factors for Acremonium fungal keratitis was ocular trauma. When a corneal lesion is found to be unresponsive to the initial treatment, we should consider adding or substituting topical natamycin or voriconazole for treatment.
Department of Ophthalmology, Gyeongsang National University, College of Medicine, Jinju, Korea ; Gyeongsang Institute of Health Science, Gyeongsang National University, College of Medicine, Jinju, Korea.
Seong-Jae
SJ
Kim
Department of Ophthalmology, Gyeongsang National University, College of Medicine, Jinju, Korea.
Yong-Wun
YW
Cho
Department of Ophthalmology, Gyeongsang National University, College of Medicine, Jinju, Korea ; Gyeongsang Institute of Health Science, Gyeongsang National University, College of Medicine, Jinju, Korea.
Seong-Wook
SW
Seo
Gyeongsang Institute of Health Science, Gyeongsang National University, College of Medicine, Jinju, Korea ; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, College of Medicine, Jinju, Korea.
Sun-Joo
SJ
Kim
Department of Ophthalmology, Gyeongsang National University, College of Medicine, Jinju, Korea ; Gyeongsang Institute of Health Science, Gyeongsang National University, College of Medicine, Jinju, Korea.
Ji-Myong
JM
Yoo
Acremonium; fungal keratitis; natamycin; prognosis; voriconazole