Penetrating keratoplasty for corneal perforations in fungal keratitis

PURPOSE: To evaluate the complications and therapeutic effects of penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) in the treatment of corneal perforations in fungal keratitis. METHODS: The medical records of patients who underwent PKP for corneal perforations in fungal keratitis at Shandong Eye Institute from January 1999 to December 2004 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients (52 eyes) were included in this study. Twenty eyes (38.5%) had graft rejection after primary PKP, 12 of which were medically treated, and 8 underwent secondary PKP with 4 acquiring clear grafts. Fungal infection recurred in 8 eyes (15.4%), 3 of which were controlled with antifungal agents, 3 were treated with secondary PKP, and 2 were enucleated. Ten eyes (19.2%) with complicated cataract underwent intraoperative or postoperative extracapsular cataract extraction. Seven eyes (13.5%) with secondary glaucoma were cured. Graft ulcer occurred in 5 eyes (9.6%), 3 of which were cured with amniotic membrane transplantation and 2 with medications. Forty-four grafts (84.6%) remained clear at final follow-up, and 46 eyes (88.5%) had improved visual acuity. CONCLUSION: Although many complications may occur, therapeutic PKP seems to be effective in the treatment of fungal keratitis with corneal perforation.     

穿透性角膜移植术治疗真菌性角膜溃疡穿孔

目的 探讨穿透性角膜移植术治疗真菌性角膜溃疡穿孔的临床疗效。方法 对1994年至2003年在青岛眼科医院行穿透性角膜移植术的40例（40只眼）真菌性角膜溃疡穿孔患者进行随访,随访时间为6～24个月,观察术后视力变化和真菌复发、植片排斥、继发性青光眼、并发性白内障等并发症的发生情况。结果 40例患者中,39例（97．5％）成功地保存了眼球,38例（95．0％）不同程度地提高了视力。穿透性角膜移植术后,4例（10．0％）患者真菌复发,其中3例用药物治愈,1例因合并真菌性眼内炎用药物不能控制而摘除眼球;15例（37．5％）患者植片发生排斥,其中12例经抗排斥治疗植片转为透明,3例因药物治疗无效而行二次穿透性角膜移植术;3例（7．5％）患者植片发生溃疡,其中2例治愈,1例因合并角膜内皮功能失代偿而行二次穿透性角膜移植术;5例（12．5％）患者继发青光眼,眼压均得到成功控制;5例（12．5％）患者发生并发性白内障,其中3例行白内障摘除术。其余患者术后随访期间眼部情况稳定,植片保持透明。最终随访时,36例（90．0％）患者角膜植片透明。结论 穿透性角膜移植术是治疗真菌性角膜溃疡穿孔的有效手术方式,是挽救眼球和视力的主要手段。     

Minimal trephination penetrating keratoplasty for severe fungal keratitis complicated with hypopyon

Objective

To report outcomes after minimal trephination penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) in the treatment of severe fungal keratitis complicated with hypopyon.

Design

Retrospective case series.

Participants

Series of 19 eyes in 19 patients with severe fungal keratitis complicated with hypopyon that received minimal trephination PKP.

Methods

The host trephination was made equal to or smaller than the margin of the corneal lesion. Fluconazole (0.2%) was used to irrigate the trephined edge and anterior chamber during surgery, followed by irrigation of the anterior chamber with a 0.02% fluconazole solution after graft transplantation. Postoperative complications, graft rejection, transparency rate, and visual acuity were recorded.

Results

Patients were followed postoperatively for 18 to 34 months (mean 28.6 months). At 18 months after PKP, 18 grafts (94.7%) remained clear and 14 eyes (73.7%) had improved visual acuity. Three eyes (15.8%) with secondary glaucoma complications after PKP were treated with subsequent trabeculectomy. Recurrent infection was found in only 1 eye (5.26%) after transplantation and was successfully managed. Immune graft rejections were not observed in any patient during the follow-up period.

Conclusions

The minimal trephination technique in combination with antifungal therapy was effective in the treatment of severe fungal keratitis with large corneal lesions and hypopyon.     

Lamellar keratoplasty for the treatment of fungal keratitis.

PURPOSE: To determine the therapeutic value of lamellar keratoplasty (LKP) in the treatment of fungal keratitis not curable by antifungal chemotherapy. METHODS: Fifty-five patients, in whom a diagnosis of fungal keratitis was confirmed by microscopic analysis of corneal scrapings or confocal microscopy, and who were not cured by topical and oral antifungal medication, were given LKP. After LKP, topical antifungal treatment was continued for 2 weeks with gradual tapering of the drugs. The excised recipient lamella was used for microbial culture and histopathologic examination. RESULTS: Therapeutically beneficial results were achieved in 51 cases (92.7%) of the 55 LKPs that were performed. In these 51 cases, there was no recurrence of infection, and the resulting visual acuity ranged from 20/63 to 20/20. Patient follow-up ranged from 6 to 18 months. In four cases (7.3%), there was a recurrence of the fungal infection within 2 weeks of LKP. In these four patients, the infection was cured by performing a penetrating keratoplasty (PKP). Forty-six of the recipient lamellae were culture positive for fungi. Thirty-three of these cultures were identified as Fusarium, six as Aspergillus, three as Candida, one as Penicillium species, and in the other three cases, unidentified septate hyphae were noted. In the four cases of recurrent infection, microbiologic culture revealed three cases with Fusarium species and one case with Aspergillus species. Histopathologic analysis of periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-stained tissue sections of donor lamellae revealed fungal filaments in all samples. Immune reactions to the lamellar grafts were not observed and the donor lamellae remained clear for the duration of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Lamellar keratoplasty can be effective for treating fungal keratitis that is not cured by antifungal therapeutics. In addition, LKP can provide useful vision with few complications. Furthermore, corneal tissue used in LKP may be obtained more easily than healthy tissue used in PKP.     

穿透性角膜移植术治疗真菌性角膜溃疡手术适应证选择

目的探讨穿透性角膜移植术（PKP）治疗真菌性角膜溃疡的手术适应证选择的安全性和可行性。方法2000年1月至2005年12月在我院因真菌性角膜溃疡行PKP并具有完整病例资料的147例（147只眼）患者进行长期随访，并为3种手术适应证的选择提供客观的依据。结果随访10—70个月，平均为（25．4±13．9）个月。眼球保存率87．8％（129／147），真菌复发率为6．1％（9／147）。73．6％（95／129）患者角膜植片透明，最佳矫正视力44只眼介于0．1—0．3，51只眼介于0．4—0．8，较术前明显提高。结论药物治疗无效且感染已累及角膜全层、角膜穿孔的真菌性角膜溃疡行板层角膜移植（LKP）术后复发均是PKP治疗真菌性角膜溃疡的适应证选择范围。病理组织学可以为PKP手术适应证选择的可行性提供可靠的理论依据；而术后疗效的长期随访则进一步证实了其安全性。     

重度真菌性角膜炎经治疗性角膜移植术后再次光学性角膜移植的临床效果

目的探讨重度真菌性角膜炎在用冰冻保存的供体角膜行治疗性角膜移植术后,再次施行光学性角膜移植的临床效果。方法选择1995年5月至2002年5月期间于邵逸夫医院就诊的35例(35只眼)重度真菌性角膜炎患者,在用冰冻保存的供体角膜行治疗性角膜移植至少经过6个月后,再接受光学性角膜移植。若合并并发性白内障,则同时联合施行白内障囊外摘除和人工晶状体植入术。观察患眼手术并发症、术后视力、排斥反应及植片透明等情况。结果35只眼中18只眼行单纯的光学性角膜移植,另17只眼同时联合白内障囊外摘除和人工晶状体植入术。手术过程均顺利。术后经6.8～36.8(15.7±7.6)个月的随访,32只眼植片保持透明,3只眼因排斥反应植片混浊。24只眼术后最佳矫正视力等于或好于0.4,32只眼最佳矫正视力等于或好于0.1,3只眼低于0.1。术中及术后35只患眼未见其他并发症。结论重度真菌性角膜炎患眼经过冰冻保存的供体角膜行治疗性角膜移植术后,再次施行光学性角膜移植,术后并发症少,可维持较高的植片透明率和较理想的视力。     

Therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty in severe fungal keratitis using cryopreserved donor corneas

AIMS: To investigate whether cryopreserved donor cornea could be used for therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) to eradicate the infection, obviate complications, and preserve anatomical integrity in severe fungal keratitis. METHODS: In this retrospective, consecutive case series, 45 eyes of 45 patients with severe fungal keratitis, which exhibited anterior chamber collapse, corneal perforation, and/or large suppurative corneal infiltrate, received therapeutic PKP after removal of the infected corneal tissue, irrigation of the anterior chamber by 0.2% fluconazole solution, iris dissection of fibrinoid membrane, and iridectomy and therapeutic PKP using corneas cryopreserved at -20 degrees C. RESULTS: Among 45 eyes, 39 eyes (86.7%) were successfully eradicated the fungal infection without recurrence and maintained their anatomical integrity without any complication. Four of 45 eyes (8.9%) showed postoperative rise of intraocular pressure, of which three were controlled with subsequent antiglaucoma surgeries, whereas one eye needed additional antiglaucoma medications. Two of 45 eyes (4.4%) were enucleated because of uncontrollable fungal infection and secondary retinal detachment, respectively. 23 eyes received subsequent optical PKP and, among them, 21 maintained clear corneal grafts and two suffered from graft failure due to allograft rejections. CONCLUSION: Cryopreserved donor corneas are effective substitutes in therapeutic PKP to control severe fungal corneal infection and preserve the global integrity, and may offer additional advantages over conventional PKP in reducing allograft rejection, eradicating fungal infection during the postoperative period, and improving the success of optical PKP for visual rehabilitation.     

Surgical management of fungal endophthalmitis resulting from fungal keratitis

AIM: To report the fungal organisms, clinical features, surgical treatment strategies, and outcomes of patients with culture-proven exogenous fungal endophthalmitis (EFE) secondary to keratitis, and evaluate the role of surgery in the treatment. METHODS: The clinical records of 27 patients (27 eyes) with culture-proven EFE resulting from fungal keratitis treated at Shandong Eye Institute from January 2007 to January 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Information about fungal culture results, clinical features, surgical procedures, and final visual acuity was obtained. RESULTS: There were 39 positive culture results from samples of cornea, hypopyon, vitreous and lens capsule, accounting for 56%, 26%, 15% and 2.5%, respectively. Fusarium was identified in 44% (12/27) of the eyes, followed by Aspergillus in 22% (6/27). Posterior segment infection was involved in 78% (21/27) of the patients. The corneal infection was larger than 3 mm ×3 mm in 89% (24/27) of the patients, and 22% (6/27) of them had the entire cornea, and even the sclera involved. Three eyes had silicone oil tamponade, and two eyes had retinal detachment. Twenty-two eyes (81.5%) underwent penetrating keratoplasty (PKP), and over half of them (54.5%) were operated within 3d from the onset of antifungal therapy. Fourteen eyes (52%) underwent intracameral antifungal drug injection, and three of them required repeated injections. Fifteen eyes (55.6%) underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). The rate of the eyes undergoing PPV as the initial surgical procedure was 60% (9/15), lower than 77% in PKP. Intravitreal injection was given in 59% of the eyes (16/27), and 75% of them required repeated injections. The final visual acuity was 20/100 or better in 37% of the eyes, and better than counting fingers in 55.6% of the eyes. Five eyes (18.5%) were eviscerated. In the two eyes with concurrent retinal detachment, one achieved retinal reattachment, and the other was eviscerated. In the three eyes with silicone oil tamponade, two eyes received silicone oil removal, and the other one was eviscerated. CONCLUSION: Fusarium and Aspergillus are the dominant pathogens in EFE resulting from keratitis. Aggressive antifungal surgeries including multiple intravitreal injections, PKP and core vitrectomy (especially in the initial surgery) are helpful procedures to improve prognosis of severe EFE secondary to keratitis.     

二次穿透性角膜移植术后失败原因分析

目的探讨二次穿透性角膜移植术（PKP）术后失败的原发病因及直接原因。方法回顾性病例研究。选择2003年1月至2010年1月于山东省眼科研究所青岛眼科医院行二次PKP患者的临床资料100例（100只眼）,统计分析失败患者的原发病因及直接原因。结果本文中行二次PKP术后病例共计100例,其中失败病例37例,失败率为37%。不同原发病因行二次PKP术后失败的数量依次为：化脓性角膜炎（11只眼,29%）、眼外伤（10只眼,27%）、单纯疱疹病毒性角膜炎（7只眼,19%）、蚕食性角膜溃疡（5只眼,14%）、大泡性角膜病变（2只眼,5%）、角膜变性及营养不良（1只眼,3%）、角膜白斑（1只眼,3%）。引起二次PKP术后失败的直接原因依次为：植片免疫排斥（17只眼,45%）、角膜内皮细胞功能失代偿（8只眼,22%）、角膜植片溃疡（7只眼,19%）、原发病复发（4只眼,11%）、角膜植片溶解（1只眼,3%）。结论二次PKP术后失败的原发病因以化脓性角膜炎为主,直接原因主要是免疫排斥。     

Indications for penetrating keratoplasty in north China

PURPOSE: To analyze leading indications for penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) in north China and changing trends in them. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients who underwent PKP at Shandong Eye Institute from January 1997 to December 2002. Infectious keratitis (fungal, bacterial, and acanthamoeba), herpes simplex keratitis (HSK), corneal scarring, keratoconus, bullous keratopathy, regrafting, corneal dystrophy and degeneration, and others were included in the indications for PKP. Initial diagnoses and causes of regrafting were recorded, as well as the related intraocular surgeries for bullous keratopathy. RESULTS: A total of 1702 patients (1702 eyes) were included in this study. The leading indications for PKP were infectious keratitis (31%), followed by HSK (18%), corneal scarring (16%), keratoconus (13%), bullous keratopathy (7%), regrafting (5%), and corneal dystrophy and degeneration (4%). Percentage of PKP for keratoconus and bullous keratopathy increased significantly during the 6 years, contrary to HSK and corneal scarring. Fungal infections accounted for 66% of infectious keratitis. Of 118 bullous keratopathy cases, 90 (76%) were associated with cataract surgery. The leading initial diagnoses of regrafting were corneal burns (25%), HSK (23%), and infectious keratitis (14%); the major causes included immune rejection (61%), graft infection (14%), and recurrence of HSK (10%). CONCLUSIONS: Infectious keratitis remains the most common indication for PKP in north China. Moreover, there is an increasing trend in the percentage of PKP for keratoconus and bullous keratopathy.     

Long-term outcomes of penetrating keratoplasty in chronic and delayed mustard gas keratitis

PURPOSE: To report the long-term outcomes of penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) in war victims with chronic and delayed mustard gas keratitis. METHODS: This noncomparative interventional case series includes patients with advanced chronic or delayed mustard gas keratitis who had undergone PKP from 1989 to 2006. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), graft clarity, episodes of graft rejection, duration of steroid use, and complications were evaluated. Histopathologic features of excised corneal buttons were also evaluated. RESULTS: Overall, 22 eyes of 19 patients underwent PKP. Mean age at the time of surgery was 41 +/- 4.6 years (range, 36-54 years), and mean follow-up duration was 40.9 +/- 48 months (range, 4-204 months). The graft remained clear in 17 (77.3%) eyes and failed in 5 (22.7%) eyes. Overall, 13 (59.1%) eyes experienced episodes of endothelial rejection, and 5 (22.7%) eyes had subepithelial immune rejection, 4 of which had simultaneous endothelial rejection. Fifteen (68.2%) eyes received topical steroids for >6 months. Fourteen (63.6%) eyes developed cataracts, leading to cataract extraction in 7 eyes. One eye developed steroid-induced glaucoma after multiple episodes of endothelial graft rejections. Mean preoperative BCVA was 1.92 +/- 0.63 logMAR, which improved to 1.04 +/- 0.65 logMAR (20/200) overall and 0.8 +/- 0.3 logMAR (20/120) in eyes with clear grafts (P < 0.001). Main histopathologic features of excised corneal buttons included corneal thinning and ulceration, loss of keratocytes, acute and chronic inflammation, stromal vascularization, and degenerative sequelae of long-standing inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: PKP in chronic or delayed-onset mustard gas keratitis should be considered as a high-risk graft; however, with appropriate management, graft clarity and visual outcomes may be favorable.     

光学性全厚板层角膜移植术治疗真菌性角膜炎的初步探讨

目的初步探讨完全钝性分离的光学性全厚板层角膜移植术治疗真菌性角膜炎的可行性、安全性和增视效果。方法采用前瞻性非对照研究,对临床确诊为真菌性角膜炎且常规抗真菌药物治疗无效的患者行活体激光共焦显微镜检查．对其中明确菌丝未累及角膜深基质及后弹力层的21例患者（21眼）行完全钝性分离的光学性全厚板层角膜移植术。术后第1周、第1个月、第3个月、第6个月、第12个月和第18个月常规随访,观察角膜植片上皮愈合情况、有无真菌复发、免疫排斥反应、移植片透明度和最佳矫正视力等;术后第6个月和第12个月复查角膜内皮细胞密度。结果术前激光共焦显微镜检查。21只患眼均找到真菌菌丝,未见菌丝累及角膜深基质及后弹力层：术中无一例因后弹力层穿破而改行穿透性角膜移植术;仅1例在术后2周内出现真菌复发,复发率为4．76％。其余20例平均随访（14±6）个月,角膜植片均透明,治愈率为95．24％。术后第6个月,有14例术眼最佳矫正视力≥4．5,其中5例≥4．8。术后第6个月,平均角膜内皮细胞密度为（2296±368）个／mm^2（1025～3491个／mm^2）;术后第12个月为（2337±357）个／mm^2（1016～3380个／mm^2）。结论光学性全厚板层角膜移植术是一种治疗真菌性角膜炎的有效手段．激光共焦显微镜有助于真菌的诊断和真菌浸润深度的判断．完全钝性分离的方法减少了前房穿孔率,提高了手术的成功率。     

增视性角膜移植术后角膜植片透明率及影响因素

目的：探讨增视性角膜移植术后角膜植片的透明率及其影响因素。 方法：回顾性病例研究。选择2004-01/2005-12于青岛眼科医院行增视性穿透性角膜移植术（optical penetrating keratoplasty,PKP）的患者97例105眼,包括圆锥角膜,角膜基质营养不良,外伤、感染等因素导致的角膜白斑,单纯疱疹病毒性角膜炎稳定期,角膜内皮细胞功能失代偿等。统计分析术前视力及术后最佳矫正视力、角膜植片透明情况、内皮细胞计数、是否排斥、植片混浊原因,采用R×C表及四格表的χ2检验。 结果：增视性PKP术后角膜植片透明率：术后1a 89.8%,术后2a 83.7%,术后3a 78.3%,术后4a 67.1%,术后5a 63.6%。术后5a时圆锥角膜角膜植片透明率最高,达94.1%,角膜内皮功能失代偿最低,为14.3%。术后最佳矫正视力0.05~1.0,0.8以上者圆锥角膜所占比例最多,达72.5%,角膜内皮功能失代偿最少,占6.3%。导致角膜植片混浊的主要原因为角膜植片免疫排斥及角膜植片内皮细胞功能失代偿。 结论：增视性PKP术后角膜植片透明率逐年稳定下降,相邻两年之间无显著性差异;原发病不同,角膜植片透明率有差异,圆锥角膜手术效果最佳;角膜植片混浊的主要原因为免疫排斥及角膜植片内皮功能失代偿。     

甘油冷冻保存角膜深板层移植治疗真菌性角膜溃疡的临床研究

目的探讨甘油冷冻保存的供体角膜行深板层角膜移植术治疗浅、中层真菌性角膜溃疡的手术适应证及临床效果。方法57例（57眼）经综合抗真菌措施治疗无效的浅、中层真菌性角膜溃疡施行深板层角膜移植术,随访8～24月,观察术后复发率、视力恢复、植片透明及并发症发生情况。结果57例中,52例治愈,成功率91.23%;5例复发,复发率8.77%。矫正视力0.1～0.2者20眼,0.3～0.5者24眼,〉0.5者13眼。17例出现新生血管;13例发生排斥反应,均得到有效控制。植片全部透明。结论使用甘油冷冻保存的角膜供体行深板层角膜移植术既能及时去除病变组织,达到治疗目的,又有一定的增视效果,对药物治疗无效的浅、中层真菌性角膜溃疡是有效的手术方式。     

Trends in the indications for penetrating keratoplasty in Shandong,2005-2010

AIM:To identify the current indications and the trend shifts for penetrating keratoplasty(PKP) in Shandong.METHODS:The medical charts of all patients who underwent PKP at Shandong Eye Institute from June 1,2005 to May 31,2010 were analysed retrospectively.RESULTS:A total of 875 patients(875 eyes) received PKP in this 5-year period,accounting for 61.6% of all corneal transplantation surgeries.The leading indications for PKP were infectious keratitis(37.1%),HSK(19.1%),keratoconus(11.2%),bullous keratopathy(8.5%),regrafting(6.7%) and corneal scarring(4.8%).The percentage of PKP for keratoconus declined year by year,whereas the percentage of bullous keratopathy had a mild annual increase.Fungal infections accounted for 65.2% of the infectious keratitis cases,remaining the leading cause of corneal infection.In addition,54.1% of bullous keratopathy cases were associated with cataract surgery.The leading initial diagnoses associated with regrafting were infectious keratitis(38.9%),HSK(18.6%) and corneal burn(16.9%).The major causes of regrafting included graft endothelial dysfunction(39.0%),graft ulcer(28.8%) and primary disease recurrence(15.3%).CONCLUSION:Infectious keratitis remained the leading indication for PKP in Shandong,and fungal infections were still the major cause of corneal infections.There was an increasing trend in the percentage of PKP cases indicated for bullous keratopathy but a decline in the same for keratoconus.Even with a decline in the overall proportion among all corneal transplantation surgeries,PKP is still the major corneal transplant choice in Shandong.     

穿透性角膜移植治疗真菌性角膜溃疡穿孔的疗效评价

目的:评价穿透性角膜移植术（PKP）治疗真菌性角膜渍疡穿孔的疗效。方法:采用新鲜供体角膜19只、甘油冷冻保存的供体角膜2只,对本院收治的21例真菌性角膜溃疡穿孔患者行PKP治疗,随访6～33月,平均13.93月。结果:术后植片透明13眼,植片透明率为61.90％。除一眼眼球萎缩外,其余患者均保存了眼球。术后:真菌复发4眼（19.05％）;免疫排斥反应8眼（38.10％）;并发性白内障5眼（23.81％）;继发性青光眼2眼（9.52％）;虹膜后粘伴瞳孔改变6眼（28.56％）;植片无菌性溃疡1眼（4.76％）。结论:真菌性角膜溃疡穿孔的病例,通过合理用药和及时手术,完全可以获得较好疗效,但是术后并发症较多应该加强随访。     

Trends in the indications for penetrating keratoplasty in Shandong, 2005-2010

AIM: To identify the current indications and the trend shifts for penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) in Shandong. METHODS: The medical charts of all patients who underwent PKP at Shandong Eye Institute from June 1, 2005 to May 31, 2010 were analysed retrospectively. RESULTS: A total of 875 patients (875 eyes) received PKP in this 5-year period, accounting for 61.6% of all corneal transplantation surgeries. The leading indications for PKP were infectious keratitis (37.1%), HSK (19.1%), keratoconus (11.2%), bullous keratopathy (8.5%), regrafting (6.7%) and corneal scarring (4.8%). The percentage of PKP for keratoconus declined year by year, whereas the percentage of bullous keratopathy had a mild annual increase. Fungal infections accounted for 65.2% of the infectious keratitis cases, remaining the leading cause of corneal infection. In addition, 54.1% of bullous keratopathy cases were associated with cataract surgery. The leading initial diagnoses associated with regrafting were infectious keratitis (38.9%), HSK (18.6%) and corneal burn (16.9%). The major causes of regrafting included graft endothelial dysfunction (39.0%), graft ulcer (28.8%) and primary disease recurrence (15.3%). CONCLUSION: Infectious keratitis remained the leading indication for PKP in Shandong, and fungal infections were still the major cause of corneal infections. There was an increasing trend in the percentage of PKP cases indicated for bullous keratopathy but a decline in the same for keratoconus. Even with a decline in the overall proportion among all corneal transplantation surgeries, PKP is still the major corneal transplant choice in Shandong.     

Antifungal chemotherapy for fungal keratitis guided by in vivo confocal microscopy

Background To evaluate antifungal chemotherapy in patients with fungal keratitis guided by in vivo confocal microscopy. Methods A total of 121 patients (121 eyes) with fungal keratitis were enrolled in this study. Confocal microscopy was performed in real time after topical and/or oral antifungal chemotherapy. Hyphal density and morphology, composition of inflammatory cells, and appearance of corneal stromal cells at the central and peripheral corneal lesions were recorded. Antifungal therapy discontinued at 1 week after hyphae and inflammatory cells could not be detected, and affected corneal stromal cells became visible. Results Successful outcomes were achieved in 110 patients (90.9%). By confocal microscopy, we observed the gradual decrease of hyphae-positive sites and hyphal density during the chemotherapy. The inflammatory cells reduced in number and heterogeneity, while corneal stromal cells recovered. The antifungal drugs were tapered according to the changes in hyphae, inflammatory cells, and corneal stromal cells. There was no fungal recurrence during the 2-month follow-up period. The other 11 patients (9.1%) had deteriorated infection within 1 week of antifungal therapy, and therefore were subjected to corneal transplantation. Conclusions In vivo confocal microscopy appears to be an effective approach to guide antifungal chemotherapy. It allows comprehensive evaluation of hyphae, inflammatory cells, and corneal stromal cells in real time, and provides valuable and objective information required in selecting and adjusting therapeutic regimens for the treatment of fungal keratitis.     

Penetrating keratoplasty in rabbits induces latent HSV-1 reactivation when corticosteroids are used

The increased incidence of corneal graft failure in patients with herpes simplex virus (HSV) keratitis may be due in part to reactivation of latent HSV following surgical corneal trauma and postoperative corticosteroid therapy. To determine the onset, frequency, and nature of HSV recurrences following penetrating keratoplasty (PKP), 21 HSV type 1 (HSV-1) latently infected rabbits underwent unilateral autograft PKP. Opposite unoperated eyes served as HSV-1 latently infected controls. Corneal autografts were performed so that immunologic graft rejection would not be confused with recurrent HSV-1 stromal disease. After PKP, 11 of the 21 eyes were treated with dexamethasone. Ocular cultures and slit-lamp examinations were performed daily for the first postoperative 8 days and every other day thereafter for 82 days. Nine (82%) of the 11 dexamethasone-treated PKP eyes, 2 (20%) of the PKP eyes not treated with dexamethasone, and 3 (17%) of the 18 unoperated eyes had positive HSV-1 ocular cultures. Geographic ulcers appeared only in the PKP eyes treated with dexamethasone; 9 (82%) of the 11 PKP eyes treated with dexamethasone developed geographic ulcers. Between the 24th and 90th postoperative days, stromal keratitis appeared in 5 (56%) of the 9 PKP eyes treated with dexamethasone and in 2 (25%) of the 8 PKP eyes not treated with dexamethasone. Autograft PKP with postoperative corticosteroids significantly increased HSV-1 ocular shedding, epithelial ulceration, and stromal keratitis. This experimental model provides a useful tool to further investigate the development and treatment of HSV-1 epithelial and stromal recurrences after PKP.     

Therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty for microbial keratitis in Taiwan from 1987 to 2001

PURPOSE: To determine the surgical outcomes of therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) and its role in the management of microbial keratitis. DESIGN: Interventional case series. METHODS: We retrospectively performed a chart review of the hospital records of all 151 patients undergoing therapeutic PKP for culture-proven microbial keratitis at the National Taiwan University Hospital during a 14 year-period (1987-2001). Patients were divided into three categories: (1) bacterial keratitis; (2) fungal keratitis; and (3) acanthamoebic keratitis. Each of the following criteria was evaluated: (1) graft clarity 1 month and 1 year postoperatively; (2) cure of the disease; and (3) anatomical success rate. RESULTS: A total of 108 therapeutic PKP met the criteria. Therapeutic PKP eradicated the infection in 37/41 of patients with bacterial keratitis, 36/52 of patients with fungal keratitis, and 13/15 of patients with acanthamoebic keratitis. 22/32 of grafts of bacterial keratitis, 20/39 of fungal keratitis, and 11/14 of acanthamoebic keratitis remained clear at 1 year postoperatively. A higher percentage of graft clarity at 1 year postoperatively was achieved in all three categories when grafts were 8.5 mm or less compared with larger grafts. All five patients with secondary endophthalmitis observed at the time of therapeutic PKP experienced a progression of infection despite aggressive surgical treatment, and had to be enucleated. CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic PKP is valuable in the management of microbial keratitis that is unresponsive to medical therapy. A higher percentage of clear graft was found when grafts were smaller in all three categories. Surgical results are worse for patients with fungal keratitis, regardless of graft clarity, anatomical success, or infection eradication rate.