Acremonium keratitis in a patient with herpetic neurotrophic corneal disease

Abstract

Fungi belonging to the genus Acremonium Link ex Fries 1821 are ubiquitous environmental contaminants and soil saprophytes, but are infrequent pathogens in humans. These filamentous fungi (previously known as Cephalosporium) are an uncommon cause of mycotic keratitis. As in the case of other filamentous fungi, corneal trauma with contaminated matter is the most frequent risk factor for the infection. We report in this paper a case of keratomycosis caused by Acremonium potronii, in a patient with a history of herpetic keratitis. Medical treatment with amphotericin B was unsuccessful and the infection eventually resolved with penetrating keratoplasty.