Ocular rhinosporidiosis mimicking conjunctival squamous papilloma in Kenya - a case report.
BACKGROUND
Ocular rhinosporidiosis is a chronic granulomatous infection caused by a newly classified organism that is neither a fungus nor bacterium. It often presents as a benign conjunctival tumour but may mimic other ocular conditions. It is most often described in India. In Africa cases have been reported from South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Uganda, Congo and Ivory Coast.


METHODS
A 54 year old man was seen in Kenya with a lesion that resembled a conjunctival papilloma. We report resemblance to conjunctival papilloma and the result of vital staining with 0.05% Toluidine Blue.


CONCLUSIONS
Ocular rhinosporidiosis occurs in East Africa. It may resemble conjunctival squamous papilloma. Vital staining with 0.05% Toluidine blue dye did not distinguish the two lesions well.
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya. sgichuhi@uonbi.ac.ke.
Stephen
S
Gichuhi
Timothy
T
Onyuma
Ephantus
E
Macharia
Joy
J
Kabiru
Alain M'bongo
AM
Zindamoyen
Mandeep S
MS
Sagoo
Matthew J
MJ
Burton
D000818:Animals; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000469:parasitology*; D003230:Conjunctival Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D015822:Eye Infections, Parasitic / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010212:Papilloma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012227:Rhinosporidiosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012228:Rhinosporidium / Q000302:isolation & purification