Primary conjunctival sporotrichosis in three cats from Northeastern Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Classically, sporotrichosis occurs as a chronic granulomatous lymphocutaneous infection. The extracutaneous form is uncommon and may affect the eye without cutaneous involvement. The most frequent form of ocular sporotrichosis reported in humans is a granulomatous conjunctivitis. There are no previous reports on primary ocular sporotrichosis in cats. PROCEDURES: Three mixed breed cats rescued from shelters were referred by the veterinarian for ophthalmic evaluation with a complaint of conjunctivitis nonresponsive to treatment with no evidence of skin disease or systemic disease. Complete ophthalmic examination, conjunctival cytology, and microbiological analysis were performed. RESULTS: Ophthalmic examinations revealed epiphora, purulent ocular discharge, conjunctival hyperemia, and a mass in the palpebral conjunctiva. Conjunctival cytology revealed segmented and degenerated neutrophils, conjunctival epithelial cells, and an abundant number of round and oval cells compatible with Sporothrix spp. Microbiological culture was performed and confirmed the presence of fungi from the Sporothrix schenckii complex. All animals were treated with oral itraconazole; two animals received topical itraconazole in association with oral treatment. Case 1 was refractory to treatment, and iodate potassium was combined with itraconazole therapy without resolution at the time of this publication. Cases 2 and 3 had complete resolution of conjunctival lesions with four months of oral and topical itraconazole therapy. CONCLUSION: Conjunctival sporotrichosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis of conjunctivitis in cats from endemic regions. Conjunctival cytology is an important tool that can aid early diagnosis.

Conjunctival Microbiome-Host Responses Are Associated With Impaired Epithelial Cell Health in Both Early and Late Stages of Trachoma.

Background: Trachoma, a neglected tropical disease, is the leading infectious cause of blindness and visual impairment worldwide. Host responses to ocular chlamydial infection resulting in chronic inflammation and expansion of non-chlamydial bacteria are hypothesized risk factors for development of active trachoma and conjunctival scarring. Methods: Ocular swabs from trachoma endemic populations in The Gambia were selected from archived samples for 16S sequencing and host conjunctival gene expression. We recruited children with active trachoma and adults with conjunctival scarring, alongside corresponding matched controls. Findings: In children, active trachoma was not associated with significant changes in the ocular microbiome. Haemophilus enrichment was associated with antimicrobial responses but not linked to active trachoma. Adults with scarring trachoma had a reduced ocular bacterial diversity compared to controls, with increased relative abundance of Corynebacterium. Increased abundance of Corynebacterium in scarring disease was associated with innate immune responses to the microbiota, dominated by altered mucin expression and increased matrix adhesion. Interpretation: In the absence of current Chlamydia trachomatis infection, changes in the ocular microbiome associate with differential expression of antimicrobial and inflammatory genes that impair epithelial cell health. In scarring trachoma, expansion of non-pathogenic bacteria such as Corynebacterium and innate responses are coincident, warranting further investigation of this relationship. Comparisons between active and scarring trachoma supported the relative absence of type-2 interferon responses in scarring, whilst highlighting a common suppression of re-epithelialization with altered epithelial and bacterial adhesion, likely contributing to development of scarring pathology.

Atypical Mycobacterial Infection in Anophthalmic Sockets With Porous Orbital Implant Exposure.

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical features and risk factors of atypical mycobacterial infection in anophthalmic sockets with porous orbital implant exposure. DESIGN: Case-control study. METHODS: The medical records of all patients who had undergone surgical correction of porous orbital implant exposure were consecutively reviewed, and the patients were stratified as those with atypical mycobacterial infection (AM infection group) and others (non-AM group). RESULTS: Five and 21 patients were included in the AM infection and non-AM groups, respectively. All patients of the AM infection group had a peg or motility coupling post (MCP) and showed implant exposure around it. Following up on implant exposure, 2 patients abruptly presented with severe conjunctival injection and new lesions such as erythematous nodules or eyelid masses. They underwent immediate orbital implant exchange and atypical mycobacterial infection was diagnosed. Three patients who were not suspected of having infection underwent surgery for orbital implant exposure. Results revealed erythematous eyelid nodule or recurrent exposure shortly after surgery and patients were diagnosed with atypical mycobacterial infection. In the non-AM group, 7 (33.3%) patients underwent insertion of a peg or MCP. Statistical analysis showed that the insertion of a peg or MCP was the only risk factor showing a significant difference between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: The most important underlying risk factor for atypical mycobacterial infection in the anophthalmic socket is thought to be peg- or MCP-related exposure of the porous orbital implant. Surgical removal of the infected orbital implant and long-term antibiotic medication are needed for treatment.

A Case of Conjunctival Ulcer and Uveitis Caused by Acrophialophora Sp. in an Immunocompromised Patient: a Case Report and Riterature Review.

We report the first case of invasive ophthalmologic infection by Acrophialophora sp. that was successfully treated using voriconazole (VRCZ). Acrophialophora spp., which has been reported to be an opportunistic pathogen, is a rare thermotolerant soil fungus, but its pathogenicity remains unclear. A 77-year-old man had neutropenia and prostate carcinoma and was receiving hemodialysis. His right eye had been infected for 2 days. His conjunctiva was congested, and it partially formed an abscess. Liposomal amphotericin B (L-AMB) was administered following systemic itraconazole. However, the treatment was changed from L-AMB to systemic VRCZ and VRCZ eye drops because his eye symptoms worsened. Subsequently, his symptoms stabilized and his vision was maintained. Acrophialophora sp. was identified by analyzing regions of internal transcribed spacer and domain 1 and 2 of the ribosomal RNA gene. He completed the 7-week systemic VRCZ course. The mean minimum inhibitory concentration of VRCZ for Acrophialophora spp. has been reported to be the lowest among various antifungal agents, and our results indicated the efficacy of VRCZ treatment for Acrophialophora sp. infection. Our results suggest that invasive Acrophialophora sp. infection may require long-term therapy. Further analysis of the clinical spectrum of Acrophialophora spp. infection and adequate treatment methods are required in the future.

Disseminated cutaneous sporotrichosis associated with ocular lesion in an immunocompetent patient

Abstract: A 59-year-old female patient, previously healthy, immunocompetent, presented left bulbar conjunctiva lesions and nodular-ulcerated lesions on the arms and cervical region, besides left cervical and retroauricular lymphadenopathy. She had previous contact with domestic cats that excoriated her face. The diagnosis was conclusive of disseminated sporotrichosis through clinical and epidemiological history and cultures of skin and ocular secretions. It evolved with good response to oral antifungal therapy.

Fonsecaea pedrosoi as a rare cause of acute conjunctival ulceration / Fonsecaea pedrosoi como agente raramente associado à úlcera conjuntival aguda

ABSTRACT Conjunctival ulceration accompanied with secretion and pain was observed in a 30-year-old male, 3 days after a perforating corneal trauma. Cultures of conjunctival ulcer samples grew Fonsecaea pedrosoi, a major causative agent of chromoblastomycosis that is typically transmitted during trauma. The conjunctival ulcer was successfully treated with amphotericin B, itraconazole, and fluconazole. This case report summarizes the diagnosis and treatment of a conjunctival ulcer due to F. pedrosoi, which is a rare complication of contaminated ocular trauma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of F. pedrosoi causing acute conjunctival ulceration in the literature.

RESUMO O quadro clínico de uma úlcera conjuntival acompanhada de secreção e dor foi observado em homem de 30 anos de idade, 3 dias após um trauma perfurante da córnea. As culturas de uma amostra retirada da úlcera conjuntival foi positiva para Fonsecaea pedrosoi, uma cromoblastomicose, geralmente transmitido após traumatismos. O caso foi tratado com sucesso com a anfotericina B, itraconazol e fluconazol. Este relato de caso reporta o diagnóstico e tratamento de uma úlcera conjuntival causada por F. pedrosoi, que raramente é visto nos olhos expostos a traumatismos contaminados. Até onde sabemos, este é o primeiro caso relatado na literatura de F. pedrosoi causando úlcera conjuntival aguda.

Unusual ocular presentations of ocular phaeohyphomycosis.

PurposePhaeohyphomycosis are melanin-containing fungi that rarely infect the eye. We describe three cases of ocular infection with some unusual clinical features.MethodsSeries of three case reports describing three different presentations of phaeohyphomycosis of the eye, their histopathology, and management.ResultsCase 1 mimicked an inflamed conjunctival naevus and was excised on this basis, revealing a conjunctival retention cyst containing pigmented fungal hyphae. Case 2 showed a wooden foreign body incidentally associated with pigmented fungal hyphae, which required treatment with topical antifungal therapy. Case 3 clinically was thought to be a perforated uveal melanoma and comprised an extensive plaque of pigmented fungal hyphae over ulcerated cornea.ConclusionThe pigmented melanin containing hyphae of phaeohyphomycosis mimicked melanocytic lesions in two cases and was an incidental finding in the context of a surface foreign body.

Case of late-onset bleb associated endophthalmitis caused by Rothia mucilaginosa.

Rothia mucilaginosa is a gram-positive coagulase-negative coccus of the family Micrococcaceae. Although R. mucilaginosa forms part of the oropharyngeal microflora, it has only recently been isolated in ocular infections. We report a case of a 41-year-old man who developed late-onset bleb-related endophthalmitis (BRE). He had undergone glaucoma surgery 21 years earlier and had a thin-walled cystic bleb prior to the development of endophthalmitis in his right eye. He immediately received intravitreal injections of ceftazidime and vancomycin, topical levofloxacin and cefmenoxime, and intravenous cefozopran. Culture of the aqueous humor specimen identified R. mucilaginosa by 16S rRNA sequence analysis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of late-onset BRE caused by R. mucilaginosa. Our case indicates that R. mucilaginosa can be a cause of late-onset BRE, and that molecular analysis is an accurate method to identify R. mucilaginosa.

Prophylactic removal and microbiological evaluation of calcified plaques after pterygium surgery.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate microbiological characteristics of prophylactically removed calcified plaques developed after pterygium excision, and to evaluate risk factors for the growth of microorganisms. METHODS: Only exposed calcified plaques developed at the same site of previous pterygium excision were prospectively removed in 15 eyes of 14 patients. Plaques were completely removed, divided into small pieces and evaluated for microbiological identification. Underlying scleral defects were reconstructed using a conjunctival autograft, amniotic membranes and scleral patch grafts according to the size and depth of the defects. Based on the results of microbiologic cultures, eyes were divided into two groups and risk factors for microbial growth were analyzed. RESULTS: At surgery, the mean age of the patients was 71.2 ± 5.8 years and 71.4 % were females. The mean time interval between pterygium excision and calcified plaque removal was 19.3 ± 13.8 years. Six of 15 (40 %) removed plaques showed bacterial growth, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia was the most frequently isolated microorganism. The size of calcified plaques was the only risk factor for culture-positive results (p = 0.045). Underlying scleral defects were successfully repaired without any serious complication. CONCLUSIONS: Microorganisms can be isolated from calcified plaques developed at the site of previous pterygium excision, and the size of plaques is the only risk factor for culture-positive results. To remove potential source of infection, prophylactic removal of calcified plaques and scleral surface reconstruction should be considered, especially when the plaques are exposed and large.

Marsupialized fungal mycetoma masquerading as conjunctival melanoma.

PURPOSE: To report a case of a fungal mass misdiagnosed as a pigmented conjunctival melanoma. METHOD: Case report. RESULT: A 38-year-old woman was referred for a pigmented conjunctival lesion that was diagnosed as a melanoma. She had a history of a scleral buckle in that eye for retinal detachment 2 years before presentation. Slit-lamp examination revealed a pigmented mass from the 11- to 2-o'clock position. This was noted to be imbricated within the invagination of a conjunctival fold from the previous surgery. The mass was removed, cultured, and confirmed to be a fungal infection from Scytalidium sp. CONCLUSIONS: Scleral buckles can cause folds in the conjunctiva, which can be foci for fungal infection.

Infected epithelial inclusion cyst simulating conjunctival melanoma.

There are several pigmented nonneoplastic lesions that can clinically simulate melanocytic tumors. The authors report an unusual conjunctival epithelial inclusion cyst that contained luminal bacterial colonies, hemorrhage, and epithelial debris. Clinical appearance convincingly simulated a melanoma. The clinical and histopathologic features of this lesion are discussed.

Late-onset necrotizing scleritis due to pigmented mycetoma (dematiaceous fungi) in 2 cases.

PURPOSE: To describe the atypical presentation of fungal infection and necrotizing scleritis, the potential role of histopathology in the diagnosis, and surgical excision in the management. METHODS: Retrospective interventional case series. RESULTS: Two patients presented with a pigmented conjunctival mass, one resembling necrotizing scleritis with uveal prolapse and the other resembling a pigmented ocular surface tumor, both after excision of nasal pterygium, 12 and 50 years previously, respectively. The pigmented lesion was 2 × 1.5 mm in each case, both situated on the bulbar surface 2 mm from the nasal limbus. After surgical excision, each lesion histopathologically displayed fungal filaments (pigmented dematiaceous fungi). CONCLUSIONS: Pigmented mycetoma (dematiaceous fungi) can simulate uveal tissue prolapse, pigmented foreign body, or pigmented epibulbar tumors, particularly melanoma. Surgical excision of the entire lesion is effective for management.

Actinomycotic granule of the caruncle: a case report.

Actinomycosis is a rare cause of a caruncular mass previously unreported in large clinicohistopathologic studies. A 25-year-old man presented with an enlarged and irritated left caruncle and an otherwise normal ocular examination. After the patient failed to respond to conservative medical management, an excision biopsy revealed an underlying diagnosis of actinomycotic granule of the caruncle. The patient's symptoms resolved, and after 6 months of follow up there was no evidence of recurrence. Actinomycosis is a slowly progressive, chronic infection with a nonspecific clinical presentation. Diagnosis is therefore difficult and is generally made on the basis of histopathology. This case demonstrates that actinomycosis can present as a caruncular mass.

Molecular detection of Bartonella henselae for the diagnosis of cat scratch disease and bacillary angiomatosis of the conjunctiva.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical cases of cat scratch disease (CSD) and bacillary angiomatosis involving the conjunctiva by special stains and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and to compare these findings with the results from species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of the same specimens. METHODS: Six potential cases of CSD and 2 possible cases of bacillary angiomatosis of the conjunctiva were analyzed by light microscopy, the Warthin-Starry technique, TEM, and PCR. DNA isolated from cultured Bartonella henselae, B. bacilliformis, B. quintana, and B. elizabethae were used as control templates for establishment of the PCR sensitivity and specificity. Cultured DNA was also used as appropriate positive controls during analysis of the clinical specimens. RESULTS: The histological studies, electron microscopy, and the PCR analysis confirmed the identification of the bacilli within the involved tissues. Furthermore, molecular diagnosis by PCR allowed for speciation of the infecting Bartonella organisms in 6 of the 8 cases and correlated with the histological findings. CONCLUSIONS: The PCR-based identification of Bartonella correlated well with the results of light microscopy and TEM and provided a simple and rapid method of diagnosis to the species level. The molecular analysis may prove to be beneficial in enhancing the current diagnostic techniques for CSD and bacillary angiomatosis.

Subconjunctival mycetoma caused by Scedosporium apiospermum infection in a horse.

An 11-year-old American Saddlebred gelding was presented for evaluation of a nonpainful subconjunctival mass involving the lateral canthus of the left eye. Other findings included a central corneal scar and a small central cataract of the lens in the left eye. Fine-needle aspiration of the mass was performed and cytologic examination revealed marked pyogranulomatous inflammation with intralesional fungal hyphae, consistent with mycetoma. The fungal structures were elongated and characterized by nonstaining walls; several bulbous yeast-like structures were also observed. The mycetoma was surgically removed and submitted for histopathologic examination and fungal culture. The histopathologic diagnosis was subconjunctival phaeohyphomycosis. Scedosporium apiospermum was identified based on macroscopic and microscopic features of the organism in culture. Scedosporium spp. have been reported as causes of mycetomatous and nonmycetomatous infections in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent people and animals. S. apiospermum and Pseudallescheria boydii, which is its teleomorphic counterpart, have been implicated as potentially emerging human and veterinary pathogens. Timely diagnosis is essential as the organism is often resistant to commonly used antifungal drugs. This report provides a detailed cytologic description of the organism and recent information on the taxonomy of this fungus and the diagnostic peculiarities of this particular infection.

Spontaneous subconjunctival abscess because of Haemophilus influenzae.

PURPOSE: To report a case of a spontaneous subconjunctival abscess in a patient with no previous ocular surgery or trauma. METHOD: Case report. RESULTS: We report a case of a subconjunctival abscess caused by Haemophilus influenzae after several days of worsening conjunctivitis. Computed tomography scans of the orbits confirmed an abscess cavity adjacent to the globe without orbital extension. The abscess was spontaneously draining at presentation and resolved completely with topical and oral antibiotic therapy. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first-described case of spontaneous subconjunctival abscess formation in an immunocompetent individual unrelated to preexisting ocular pathology, previous ocular surgery, or trauma. H. influenzae species may possess the ability to penetrate an intact conjunctiva and develop subconjunctival abscess. We recommend that patients presenting with bacterial conjunctivitis be closely examined to rule out subconjunctival abscess, which may require additional aggressive medical or surgical management.

Bulbar conjunctival sporotrichosis presenting as a salmon-pink tumor.

PURPOSE: To report a patient with bulbar conjunctival sporotrichosis presenting as a salmon-pink tumor. METHODS: This was an interventional case report. A 62-year-old woman presented with conjunctival injection in her left eye. Despite administration of topical dexamethasone sodium, ofloxacin, and levocabastine hydrochloride, her symptoms failed to improve and she was referred to us. RESULTS: Four weeks after referral to us, the patient gradually developed conjunctival injection in both eyes and a salmon-pink tumor in the bulbar conjunctiva of the left eye. Excision biopsy was performed and pathologic examination revealed an epithelioid granuloma with microabscesses and infiltration of plasma cells with yeast-like spherules. A sporotrichin intradermal test was strongly positive. Based on a diagnosis of sporotrichosis, we treated her with topical fluconazole 0.2% in both eyes and oral potassium iodide (450 mg). The bilateral conjunctival injection and subconjunctival tumor in the left eye gradually resolved and had completely disappeared after 3 months of treatment. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of bulbar conjunctival sporotrichosis with a salmon-pink conjunctival tumor. Although rare, ophthalmologists should be aware of this entity during examination of patients with intractable conjunctival injection.

Subconjunctival mycetoma after sub-Tenon's corticosteroid injection.

PURPOSE: To describe a case of a subconjunctival mycetoma that developed after a patient received a sub-Tenon's injection of triamcinolone acetonide. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A 76-year-old white male presented with a subconjunctival mass in the area of a previous posterior sub-Tenon's corticosteroid injection for wet age-related macular degeneration. Microbiologic and pathologic analysis of the mass revealed the causative organism to be the pigmented fungus Exophiala jeanselmei. CONCLUSION: This is the first published case of an Exophiala-associated subconjunctival mycetoma.