RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Mycotic keratitis by moulds (MKM) is an important cause for corneal blindness and usually carries an unfavorable prognosis. AIMS: This study describes the risk factors and demographic and microbiological features of all MKM cases in Santa Lucía Ophthalmology Hospital during a period of 6 years. METHODS: A prospective study was performed for all MKM cases diagnosed between October 2007 and September 2013. RESULTS: Among 157 diagnosed cases, direct microscopic examination and culture were positive in 97 and 96% of the cases respectively. MKM represents 17% of all microbiologically confirmed corneal abscesses. No significant differences were detected in annual MKM frequencies across the study period, suggesting that MKM incidence remains constant over time. A male-to-female ratio was observed (2.8:1); the most affected age groups ranged from 31 to 40 years old (males) and 61-70 years old (females). The most frequent predisposing factor was trauma (40%) followed by the use of contact lenses (9%), herpetic abscesses (5%) and diabetes (4%). The predominant genera were Fusarium (66%), Aspergillus (10%), Curvularia (6%) and Alternaria (4%). The most frequent agent was Fusarium solani species complex (52%). More than two-thirds of the cases were produced by only 3 species or complexes. However, at least 29 different species were detected in the remaining cases. This is the first report of Pholiota sp. as causative agent of human MKM. CONCLUSIONS: Argentina lacks extensive epidemiological and clinical data on MKM. This six-year study performed in Argentina is a first step leading to a better understanding of MKM epidemiology in our country.
Assuntos
Infecções Oculares Fúngicas , Ceratite/microbiologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Argentina , Criança , Infecções Oculares Fúngicas/epidemiologia , Feminino , Hospitais Especializados , Humanos , Ceratite/epidemiologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Oftalmologia , Estudos Prospectivos , Fatores de Risco , Fatores de Tempo , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Las infecciones oculares por hongos filamentosos han aumentado su incidencia con el pasar de los años. Los traumas corneales, la terapia inmunosupresora y el uso de lentes de contacto han hecho que éstas aumenten su incidencia, pero existe un pequeño porcentaje de paciente que sin ningún factor de riesgo presentan infecciones por estos mohos. En este artículo reportamos dos casos de infección ocular por Fusarium spp. en dos pacientes de 21 y 30 años de edad respectivamente, inmunocompetentes, pertenecientes a las Fuerzas Militares y sin factores de riesgo asociados.
The filamentous fungal eye infections have been increasing in incidence in the last years. Corneal trauma, immunosuppressive therapy and use of contact lenses have increased their incidence, nonetheless a small percentage of patients with no risk factors still present with these mold infections. In this article we report a case of ocular infection by Fusarium spp. in two patients, a 21-year-old and a 30-year-old males. They work with the Military Forces, and were immunocompetent with no risk factors associated to the problem.
As infecções oculares por fungos filamentosos têm aumentado a sua incidência com o passar dos anos. Os traumas da córnea, a terapia imunossupressora e o uso de lentes de contato têm feito que estas aumentem a sua incidência, mas existe uma pequena percentagem de pacientes que semnenhumfator de riscoapresentam infecções por estes bolores. Em este artigo reportamos dois casos de infecção ocular por Fusarium spp. em dois pacientes de 21 e 30 anos de idade respectivamente, imunocompetentes, pertencentes às Forças Militares e semfatores de risco associados.