title: [A case of mycotic keratitis due to Fusarium solani in Valdivia, Chile].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Keratomycosis is one of the most prevalent ophthalmic infections, which needs a specific treatment depending on the nature of the infecting fungus. The prognosis is usually severe and depends on an early diagnosis and suitable therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe a case of keratitis due to Fusarium solani in a patient from a rural area, who, between May and October 2011, suffered a corneal trauma caused by dust particles in Valdivia, Chile. On two occasions, direct examination of eye scrapes revealed abundant septate hyphae. All cultures were positive for the same fungus, which was identified as Fusarium solani by phenotypic characterization and sequencing of ribosomal nuclear genes. The patient was initially treated with amphotericin B and afterwards successfully responded to a treatment with oral and intravenous voriconazole, although corneal opacity persisted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although keratomycosis in Chile is rare, its diagnostic particularities must be taken into consideration to establish the most effective treatment. Thus, a rapid visualization of the fungus in the lesion, an efficient isolation of the etiologic agent in pure culture is essential, as well as its rapid identification, which requires the use of molecular sequencing techniques in the case of Fusarium species.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Oftalmología, Hospital Base de Valdivia, Valdivia, Chile.
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mena
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Oftalmología, Hospital Base de Valdivia, Valdivia, Chile.
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Carrasco
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Microbiología Clínica, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.
authors.forename: Patricio
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Godoy-Martínez
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Micología, Facultad de Medicina y IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Tarragona, España.
authors.forename: Alberto M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Stchigel
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Micología, Facultad de Medicina y IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Tarragona, España. Electronic address: jose.cano@urv.cat.
authors.forename: José F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Cano-Lira
authors.affiliation: Escuela de Tecnología Médica, Universidad Mayor, Sede Temuco, Temuco, Chile.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zaror
mesh_terms: D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery; D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002677:Chile; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003318:Corneal Opacity / Q000209:etiology; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery; D004391:Dust; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000150:complications; D060585:Fusariosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D005670:Fusarium / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D016533:Mycological Typing Techniques; D021521:Ribotyping; D065819:Voriconazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D004391:Dust; D000666:Amphotericin B; D065819:Voriconazole
keywords: Fungi; Fusarium solani; Honngos; Infección; Infection; Keratitis; Queratitis