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.     

Microbial keratitis following penetrating keratoplasty.

PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence of microbial keratitis, predisposing risk factors and treatment modalities in patients who developed keratitis following penetrating keratoplasty (PK). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The records of 285 patients who had undergone PK between January 1991 and December 1995 in a tertiary care center were reviewed. Patients who developed postoperative microbial keratitis were evaluated for predisposing risk factors, microbiological etiology, response to broad spectrum antibiotic therapy and subsequent PK. Patients were mainly treated with fortified topical antibiotics with or without repeat PK. RESULTS: Of the 285 patient records reviewed, microbial keratitis developed in 21 eyes of 21 patients (7.4%). Seventy-one percent of infections occurred within 6 months after grafting. Keratitis initially began from the donor-recipient border in 16 cases (76.2%) and were central or paracentral in 5 patients. Predisposing risk factors included loose or exposed suture (9), suture removal (1), persistent epithelial defect (3), graft failure (3), contact lens wear (1), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (1). Fifteen (71.4%) patients were culture-positive consisting of Streptococcus pneumoniae (7), Staphylococcus aureus (5), Pseudomonas aureginosa (2), and Hemophilus influenzae (1). Forty-three percent of patients were successfully treated with medical therapy only. Seven patients underwent second PK for visual rehabilitation and 4 for tectonic purposes. After medical and surgical therapy, graft clarity was achieved in 17 (81%) of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The microbial keratitis following PK is a major postoperative problem affecting the long term prognosis. Careful selection of patients, and preoperative and postoperative control of risk factors, may decrease the frequency of this complication. Several factors, including loose or exposed sutures, epithelial defects, ocular surface disorders, and graft failure, may predispose patients to develop microbial keratitis following PK.     

Candida interface keratitis following deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty

The purpose is to report a case of Candida interface infection after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK). A 23-year-old female patient underwent DALK surgery in the left eye for keratoconus. Four weeks after the surgery, she presented with asymptomatic white-cream colored deposits at the graft-host interface. Epithelial ingrowth was our first possible diagnosis because there were no symptoms or signs of inflammation. However, progression of the lesion under steroid treatment and the appearance of inflammation signs after tapering the steroid treatment raised suspicion of fungal keratitis. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT), ultrasound biomicroscopy, confocal microscopy and microbiologic examinations of the cornea were performed to evaluate the lesion. Anterior segment OCT and ultrasound biomicroscopy confirmed the lesion to be at the interface. The confocal scan disclosed hyper-reflective deposits and surrounding inflammatory cells but there were no hyphae-like structures. While taking a specimen from the lesion, the Descemet's membrane ruptured so a penetrating keratoplasty was performed. The microbiologic examination revealed Candida infection. Candida interface keratitis is a rare infection seen after DALK. The asymptomatic clinical picture and the similarity to epithelial ingrowth may postpone the diagnosis and consequently the treatment. Therefore, in cases of interface deposits seen after lamellar surgery, one should consider Candida interface keratitis.     

Infectious keratitis after lamellar keratoplasty

Infectious keratitis after lamellar keratoplasty is a potentially devastating complication that may severely limit the visual and anatomical outcomes. The deep-seated location of the infiltrates, sequestration of the pathogenic microorganisms and limited penetration of the currently available antimicrobial agents often results in delayed diagnosis that may jeopardize the management in these cases. Fungal keratitis is more common as compared with bacterial or viral keratitis and classically presents as white interface infiltrates that may not be associated with significant inflammation. Confocal microscopy may help to establish a rapid diagnosis in such cases, and anterior segment optical coherence tomography may be used to determine the extent of infection and monitor its progression. Conservative measures such as topical antimicrobials and interface irrigation with antimicrobial agents may be done. Surgical intervention in the form of partial excision/removal of the graft in endothelial keratoplasty or a full-thickness keratoplasty is often required for the effective management of deep-seated infections. Timely diagnosis and intervention may result in complete resolution of infection in both anterior lamellar and endothelial keratoplasty. Infections after anterior lamellar keratoplasty have a fair prognosis, and a clear graft with functional visual acuity may be achieved in most cases. By contrast, infections after endothelial keratoplasty have a guarded prognosis, and the presence of concomitant endophthalmitis may further complicate the graft survival and visual outcomes.     

Deep lamellar keratoplasty for acanthamoeba keratitis

PURPOSE: To describe deep lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) as a surgical alternative to penetrating keratoplasty in the management of unresponsive Acanthamoeba keratitis. METHODS: Interventional case report. We performed DALK in a patient with Acanthamoeba keratitis unresponsive to intensive antimicrobial therapy. A modified form of the Anwar big-bubble technique, with total corneal stromal removal down to Descemet membrane, was successfully performed without entry into the anterior chamber. Subsequent delay in graft epithelialization relating to ocular surface toxicity from prolonged antiacanthamoebal topical therapy required a secondary amniotic membrane patch graft. RESULTS: No recurrence of Acanthamoeba infection occurred after surgery. Reepithelialization after the amniotic membrane patch graft was successful, and full visual recovery occurred, resulting in a best-corrected visual acuity of 20/20. CONCLUSIONS: DALK with total removal of infected stromal tissue may be performed in medically unresponsive cases of Acanthamoeba keratitis, which ordinarily may require penetrating keratoplasty. Advantages of DALK in infectious keratitis include less risk of intraocular entry of infectious organisms at the time of surgery and the potential for improved graft survival rates caused by less endothelial rejection and failure.     

Microbial keratitis complicating penetrating keratoplasty

A retrospective review of 68 consecutive episodes of microbial keratitis complicating 66 penetrating keratoplasties (PKs) showed major risk associations: suture-related problems (50%), contact lens wear (26%), previous herpes simplex infection (15%), graft failure (15%), and persistent epithelial defects (15%). Topical steroid (85%) and antibiotic (59%) usage were common iatrogenic factors. Half the infections occurred more than 1 year after grafting. Bacterial infections involving gram-positive organisms (59%) predominated, except for patients with extended-wear hydrophilic contact lenses, which usually involved gram-negative bacilli. The incidence of fungal infections (6%) was relatively low. Recommendations to minimize microbial keratitis include prompt attention to exposed, broken, or loose sutures, and preventive and therapeutic management of epithelial defects. The inadequacy of low-dose antibiotics in precluding microbial infection in many cases and the propensity to develop infections with resistant organisms suggest that guidelines for using postoperative and prophylactic topical antibiotics require reevaluation.     

部分板层角膜移植治疗真菌性角膜炎

目的：探讨部分板层角膜移植术治疗真菌性角膜炎的适应证及临床效果。方法：对临床确诊的23例（23只眼）中浅层真菌性角膜炎患者用新鲜尸眼角膜供体行部分板层角膜移植术。结果：23例患者22例治愈,21例植片透明,成功率91．3％,随访2－10个月,植片全部透明。矫正视力0．3－0．8,2例复发。结论：部分板层角膜移植术是治疗中浅层真菌性角膜炎的有效方法。     

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.     

板层角膜移植术治疗真菌性角膜溃疡疗效分析

目的探讨板层角膜移植术治疗中、浅层真菌性角膜溃疡的手术适应证及临床疗效。方法67例（67眼）真菌性角膜溃疡经抗真菌药物治疗效果不满意者行板层角膜移植术,术后观察复发情况、角膜植片透明度及免疫排斥反应。结果术后随访6个月至2年,其中66例（66眼）术后有效控制了感染,植片透明,无排斥反应,术后视力提高至0.3-0.6。1眼真菌感染复发。结论板层角膜移植可有效治疗中、浅层真菌性角膜溃疡。     

Infectious keratitis following keratoplasty

Infectious keratitis following corneal transplantation is one of the leading causes of failure of a corneal graft. The incidence of graft infection is variable, with developing countries having a higher incidence. The majority of the graft infections occur within 1 year of the corneal transplantation. Suture-related problems and persistent epithelial defect are the most common risk factors predisposing to graft infection. Pneumococcus species and Staphylococcus aureus have been found to be the commonest microorganisms in the developed world, whereas Staphylococcus epidermidis is the most often detected microorganism in corneal graft infection in the developing world. The early identification of predisposing risk factors in patients and their appropriate management at the earliest may prevent the occurrence of graft infection and might improve graft survival. Visual prognosis in eyes with post-keratoplasty graft infection is poor even after optimal therapy and there is a high rate of graft decompensation.     

大面积深板层角膜移植治疗复发性单疱角膜基质炎

采用大面积深板层角膜移植治疗３１例复发性单疱角膜基质炎病人,通过回顾性分析,综合评价其疗效。结果：３１只眼中有２４只眼脱盲,视力恢复为０．０５～０．９。按手术的时机把采用大面积积深板层角膜移植治疗的３１例病人分为两组：炎症静息组和炎症活动组,两组的植片透明率分别炎７７．７８％和７２．７２％,两组术后的植片透明率比较无显著性差异（Ｐ〉０．０５）;其长期疗效按植床是否剖切干净分两组统计术后复发率,两者     

板层角膜移植术治疗真菌性角膜炎的临床疗效分析

目的：探讨板层角膜移植术治疗药物难以控制的中、浅层真菌性角膜炎的手术适应证及时机,并对其临床效果进行分析。方法：对临床确诊为真菌性角膜炎（病灶均位于角膜中浅层）且经抗真菌药物治疗无效的患者68例（68只眼）行板层角膜移植术,观察术后角膜真菌复发率、角膜植片透明率及角膜植片免疫排斥反应等情况,并对术中取下的病变角膜组织行真菌培养、菌属鉴定及组织病理学检查。结果：68例患者中,64例治愈,成功率为94％;随访观察6－36个月,植片全部透明,矫正视力为0．2－1．0;4例复发,复发率为6％。59例角膜组织标本真菌培养阳性,其中镰刀菌属41例,曲霉菌属8例,念珠菌属4例,青霉菌属2例,其他丝状菌属4例。61例病理切片行高碘酸－Schiff染色可见菌丝,57例菌丝均未超出病变角膜切片的深度和边缘,仅4例复发者可见菌丝达角膜组织切片全层,其中曲霉菌属3例,镰刀菌属1例。结论：板层角膜移植术是一种对经抗真菌药物治疗无效及溃疡直径较大或偏中心的中、浅层真菌性角膜炎患者具有治疗和复明作用的有效术式。     

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。     

Mycobacterium chelonei keratitis following penetrating keratoplasty

Atypical mycobacteria are responsible for an increasing number of skin and soft-tissue infections. We present a case of Mycobacterium chelonei keratitis that developed 3 months after penetrating keratoplasty. Our case illustrates how early diagnosis of M. chelonei keratitis and aggressive therapy with appropriate antibiotics can lead to a complete cure, with excellent functional results.     

Microbial keratitis in a case of lamellar ichthyosis

We report a case of microbial keratitis in a patient with lamellar ichthyosis. An 11-year-old boy, a known case of lamellar ichthyosis, presented with microbial keratitis. Microbiological evaluation of corneal scraping revealed a mixed infection caused by gram-negative bacilli and gram-positive cocci. He was treated with topical ciprofloxacin and fortified cefazolin eyedrops. Microbial keratitis in patients with lamellar ichthyosis has a poor prognosis.     

深板层角膜移植术治疗瘢痕期病毒性角膜炎

目的分析深板层角膜移植术治疗瘢痕期病毒性角膜炎的临床效果。方法临床诊断明确的瘢痕期病毒性角膜炎48例（48只眼）。均有不同程度及大小的角膜白斑和基质层的新生血管,部分患眼伴有角膜基质水肿,视力均低于0．1。术前给予积极的局部和全身糖皮质激素和抗病毒治疗,然后行深板层角膜移植术,术后随访2～48个月,观察视力、植片透明度、复发率及术中术后并发症。结果3只眼术中发生后弹力层破裂,其中2只眼行前房注气术后植片与植床贴服良好,1只眼术中改为穿透性角膜移植术,其余45只眼均接受深板层角膜移植术,手术均顺利,1只眼术后1个月更换角膜植片,3只眼复发未及时随访治疗导致植片浑浊血管化,经治疗恢复透明,4只眼出现上皮型免疫排斥反应,经积极治疗后植片恢复透明。所有术眼视力均有不同程度的提高,最佳矫正视力≥0．25者13只眼,0．12～0．2者15只眼,≤0．1者20只眼。结论深板层角膜移植术可以比较有效地治疗瘢痕期病毒性角膜炎,后弹力层的瘢痕和皱褶是影响术后视力恢复的主要原因,因此对于瘢痕期病毒性角膜炎应早行手术治疗。