Candida albicans interface infection after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty

PURPOSE: To report a case of interface infection by Candida albicans after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK). METHODS: A 30-year-old man with keratoconus underwent DALK. Four weeks after surgery, the patient developed multiple infiltrates in the graft-host interface with absence of intraocular infection. Donor rim cultures grew C. albicans. Penetrating keratoplasty (PK) was performed because of worsening of the infection despite topical, local, and systemic antifungal therapy. RESULTS: Cultures carried out on the excised donor cornea confirmed donor-to-host transmission of C. albicans. An aqueous tap taken before PK was negative. Six months after PK, the corneal graft was clear with no recurrence of infection. CONCLUSIONS: After DALK, in cases of donor graft microbial contamination, infection may develop at the graft-host interface. This may delay or prevent direct intraocular penetration of microorganisms, reducing the risk of development of endophthalmitis. PK may be needed to eradicate the infection in cases where conservative treatment fails.     

Candida albicans interface infection after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty

The clinical features of interface Candida keratitis after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK), may imitate rejection or crystalline keratopathy. We report here an 18-year-old woman presented with red eye, 4 months after undergoing DALK. Slit lamp examination revealed keratic precipitates (KPs) and conjunctival injection. She was prescribed corticosteroid treatment for endothelial rejection by another ophthalmologist because of misdiagnosis, but suffered a recurrence of symptoms after reduction of the corticosteroid treatment. At that time, she was referred to our office. The recurrence persisted despite antibiotic and antifungal therapies. Ten days after treatment with interface irrigation with amphotericin, the infiltration and hypopyon were resolved. Topical steroid was added after 3 months of antifungal monotherapy. Irrigant cultures confirmed the presence of Candida albicans. The corneal graft appeared semi-clear with no signs of infection at 17-month follow-up. We recommend a close follow-up and a timely intervention to prevent the need for more invasive treatment such as penetrating keratoplasty.     

Fungal keratitis following deep lamellar keratoplasty

A young man affected from keratoconus was submitted to deep lamellar keratoplasty (DLK). The day after, the presence of pseudochamber between the donor and the recipient cornea was observed by the slit-lamp and the patient was submitted to the injection of an air bubble into the anterior chamber. Approximately six days later, multiple, whitish patches mostly located in the centre of the lamellar interface were noticed. Medical treatment was started immediately but no improvement was observed and penetrating keratoplasty was performed. Although this organism has been described as a microbial pathogen in blepharitis, conjunctivitis, keratitis, canaliculitis, dacryocystitis, and endophthalmitis, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of keratitis after DLK caused by Actinomyces species.     

Candida interface keratitis after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty: clinical, microbiologic, histopathologic, and confocal microscopic reports

PURPOSE: To report the clinical, histopathologic, microbiologic, and confocal microscopic features of Candida keratitis after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK). METHODS: We performed clinical, confocal scan, microbiologic and histopathologic examinations on two corneas from 2 young patients who underwent DALK for keratoconus. RESULTS: The first patient presented with asymptomatic white to cream-colored interface deposits 2 months after DALK. The confocal scan disclosed clusters of hyperreflective, fine granular deposits at the region of interface, with no evidence of inflammation or hyphaelike structures. The clinical presumption of possible "epithelial downgrowth" was suggested, and because of the progression of these lesions, irrigation of the interface was considered. Finally, penetrating keratoplasty was performed because of a rupture in the Descemet membrane. Histopathologic examination of the cornea disclosed yeastlike structures within the interface area. The microbiologic results of the irrigation fluid showed Candida glabrata. The second patient presented with a symptomatic infiltration of the inferior interface close to the suture site 2.5 months after DALK. The confocal scan showed foci of inflammation with clusters of hyperreflective round-shaped structures that resembled epithelial cells. Clinically, there was a suggestion of epithelial downgrowth, and subsequently, penetrating keratoplasty was performed because of the progression of the lesion. Histopathologic examination of the cornea disclosed an acute and chronic granulomatous keratitis caused by yeastlike structures. The microbiologic results revealed infection with Candida albicans. CONCLUSIONS: These are the first reported occurrences of interface Candida keratitis after DALK and with different confocal features. The clinical and the confocal features of interface Candida keratitis may be similar to those seen in epithelial downgrowth, which may postpone correct diagnosis and treatment. Candida keratitis should be considered in cases of interface deposits after any form of lamellar keratoplasty.     

Microbial keratitis following lamellar keratoplasty

OBJECTIVE: To determine the predisposing factors, etiologic agents, and clinical and visual outcomes in infectious keratitis following lamellar keratoplasty (LK). METHODS: One hundred thirty-five eyes (135 patients) that had undergone LK were retrospectively analyzed for the occurrence of infectious keratitis following LK. The parameters evaluated were predisposing factors, seasonal variation, indications and type of LK, time interval between LK and infection, site and depth of infection, etiologic organisms, type of treatment, outcome in terms of graft status, secondary surgery, visual acuity, and the donor tissue profile. RESULTS: The incidence of infectious keratitis following LK was 11.11%. The most significant predisposing factor was persistent epithelial defect (3 eyes) and suture abscesses (3 eyes). Most cases occurred between May and August (9/15). Twelve cases developed infection within 2 weeks of surgery (80%). Seven cases (7/15) occurred with onlay grafts, 6 with inlay grafts, and 2 with large-diameter LK. Cultures of corneal scrapings were positive in 11 eyes (73.3%), and the most common isolated organism was coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CNS). Only 2 eyes responded to medical therapy, and graft sloughing occurred in 9 cases. Six eyes underwent penetrating keratoplasty to either salvage the integrity of globe or for visual rehabilitation of cases where infection resulted in corneal opacity. CONCLUSIONS: Infections after LK may not be amenable to antimicrobial therapy and may necessitate the removal of the graft or a therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty.     

暴露后弹力层的深板层角膜移植治疗深层化脓性角膜炎的初步临床观察

目的 探讨大泡技术辅助的暴露后弹力层的深板层角膜移植(DALK)治疗深层化脓性角膜炎的初步临床疗效.方法 回顾性病例系列研究.2011年1月至2012年3月,17例化脓性角膜炎角膜深层感染患者(溃疡或浸润深度超过4/5角膜厚度)在山东省眼科医院接受了DALK手术.手术方法:采用大泡技术辅助的方法切除病灶并暴露后弹力层,角膜植片较植床大0.25 mm,撕除后弹力层后缝合于植床.对围手术期并发症、术后复发、角膜植片透明、层间愈合、视力恢复等进行随访.结果 手术后随访3 ～ 12个月,平均9个月.17例(17只眼)患者接受了DALK术,平均年龄(46±13)岁.真菌性角膜炎14例,细菌性角膜炎3例.2例患者术中发生微小穿孔,前房注入无菌空气后继续成功施行DALK术.术后3例患者出现双前房,2例自行吸收,1例行植片重缝术后缓解;1例患者术后复发,行穿透性角膜移植手术后控制.所有患者角膜植片均与植床贴附紧密,裂隙灯检查和眼前节相干光断层扫描检查难辨层间界面.所有角膜植片均透明.术前17例患者最佳矫正视力(BCVA)在20 cm眼前手动至3.7,手术后BCVA恢复至4.5～5.0.16例成功行DALK患者术后散光度数为(4.53±2.35)D.结论 对于角膜深层感染的化脓性角膜炎患者,大泡技术辅助的暴露后弹力层的DALK术仍安全有效.     

Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty in a patient with descemetocele following gonococcal keratitis

PURPOSE: To describe the presentation and subsequent management of a case of severe gonococcal keratitis in a young man. DESIGN: Case report. METHODS: A young man presented with severe gonococcal keratitis. Topical and systemic antibiotics were given with no improvement, and progressive corneal melting was noted. Deep lamellar keratoplasty was performed. The clarity and state of corneal graft and the postoperative visual acuity were noted. RESULTS: At 6 months posttreatment, the graft was clear, and no recurrence of infection was noticed. Corrected visual acuity was 20/25. CONCLUSION: Deep lamellar keratoplasty should be considered as a therapeutic option in patients with severe gonococcal keratitis that does not respond to antibiotic treatment.     

Changes in endothelial cell density following penetrating keratoplasty and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty

AIM: To compare the corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) of clear grafts after penetrating keratoplasty (PK) and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK). METHODS: The study included 44 and 54 patients treated with PK and DALK, respectively, between March 2006 and April 2010. Corneal ECD was examined using specular microscopy at postoperative 1, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months, and the values were compared. RESULTS: Corneal ECD reduction in the PK group was 7.4%, 15.2%, 23.5%, and 28.9% at 3, 6, 12 and 18 months respectively after surgery, compared with 4.2 % in the first month (P<0.01). These figures were 3.0%, 6.7%, 7.2%, and 7.7% at 3, 6, 12 and 18 months respectively, compared with 2.2 % in the first month in the DALK group (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared with DALK,PK significantly reduced ECD of the clear grafts. These results suggest that survival of endothelial cells in grafts is better after DALK than after PK.     

Bilateral deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty for the management of bilateral post-LASIK mycobacterial keratitis

A 25-year-old Vietnamese man who had bilateral simultaneous laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for moderate myopia developed bilateral Mycobacterium abscessus keratitis that was treated with intensive medical therapy, flap removal, superficial keratectomy, and, following disease progression, therapeutic deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK). To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of bilateral post-LASIK mycobacterial keratitis successfully treated with DALK.     

深板层角膜移植术治疗真菌性角膜溃疡

目的评价深板层角膜移植术治疗药物难以控制的真菌性角膜炎的手术时机及效果。方法临床确诊为真菌性角膜炎（病灶均非全层）86例（86眼）行深板层角膜移植术，观察术后复发率、角膜植片透明率及角膜植片免疫排斥反应等情况。结果86例中治愈80例，成功率为93．02％；随访观察6～24月，植片全部透明，矫正视力为0．2～0．6。6例复发，复发率为6．98％。结论深板层角膜移植术是一种对抗真菌药物治疗无效的真菌性角膜炎有效的术式，具有及时控制感染和复明的作用。     

Therapeutic effect of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty for active or quiescent herpetic stromal keratitis

Purpose

To evaluate the therapeutic effect of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) in patients with herpetic stromal keratitis (HSK).

Methods

Forty-three eyes belonging to 42 patients with HSK, including 22 eyes in the active phase and 21 eyes in the quiescent phase, underwent DALK at the Shandong Eye Institute from January 2006 to December 2009. All patients with active disease had received intravenous acyclovir and amniotic membrane implants prior to DALK. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) antigens from excised corneal buttons were detected by immunohistochemistry.

Results

The follow-up ranged from 1 to 4?years (mean, 29.1?months). Graft rejection occurred in one eye (2.3%) and was reversed. Among the other 42 survived grafts (97.7%), 37 remained clear at the last visit. The best spectacle-corrected visual acuity was 20/200 or better in 95.2% of eyes and 20/40 or better in 38.1% of eyes. Six eyes (14.0%) developed recurrent HSK, one of which received a second keratoplasty due to ineffective antiviral medication. There were no significant differences in endothelial cell density between 6?months and 12?months after the surgery. By immunohistochemistry, HSV-1 antigens were observed in the stroma of 18 of 32 corneal buttons.

Conclusions

DALK can not only remove the corneal lesions of HSK but also reduce latent or persistent viral loads in the cornea. In eyes with active or quiescent HSK but otherwise healthy endothelia, DALK seems to be safe and promising for its favorable visual outcome, graft survival rate, and low endothelial cell loss.