Search

Item does not contain fulltext, Fusarium species are reported frequently as the most common causative agents of fungal keratitis in tropical countries such as India. Sixty-five fusaria isolated from patients were subjected to multilocus DNA sequencing to characterize the spectrum of the species associated with keratitis infections in India. Susceptibilities of these fusaria to ten antifungals were determined in vitro by the broth microdilution method. An impressive phylogenetic diversity of fusaria was reflected in susceptibilities differing at species level. Typing results revealed that the isolates were distributed among species in the species complexes (SCs) of F. solani (FSSC; n = 54), F. oxysporum (FOSC; n = 1), F. fujikuroi (FFSC; n = 3), and F. dimerum (FDSC; n = 7). Amphotericin B, voriconazole, and clotrimazole proved to be the most effective drugs, followed by econazole.

Members of the genus Aspergillus are among the filamentous fungal agents frequently causing infections in humans. A. fumigatus is the most commonly isolated fungal pathogen within the genus; however, other species, including A. terreus, A. flavus and A. niger are also of increasing importance. Infections caused by black aspergilli are especially frequent in developing countries with hot, humid, tropical or semitropical climates. Several reports revealed A. niger as the most common causative agent of otomycosis and fungal keratitis in certain geographic regions. Species related to A. niger are difficult to identify on the basis of morphological criteria alone. Recent molecular analyses revealed that apart from A. niger, other black aspergilli, including A. tubingensis and the recently described species A. brasiliensis are also potential causative agents of human infections. In the case of corneal infections, the available data indicate that these species may be responsible for a significant proportion of cases caused by black aspergilli. The aim of this review is to summarize the literature data about the involvement of black aspergilli (members of Aspergillus section Nigri) in human infections under tropical and semitropical climates, including otomycosis and eye infections. Available retrospective studies are summarized with special emphasis on the clinical manifestation, epidemiological aspects and therapeutical possibilities; furthermore, the molecular methods for the exact diagnosis and identification of black Aspergillus strains are also discussed., Members of the genus Aspergillus are among the filamentous fungal agents frequently causing infections in humans. A. fumigatus is the most commonly isolated fungal pathogen within the genus; however, other species, including A. terreus, A. flavus and A. niger are also of increasing importance. Infections caused by black aspergilli are especially frequent in developing countries with hot, humid, tropical or semitropical climates. Several reports revealed A. niger as the most common causative agent of otomycosis and fungal keratitis in certain geographic regions. Species related to A. niger are difficult to identify on the basis of morphological criteria alone. Recent molecular analyses revealed that apart from A. niger, other black aspergilli, including A. tubingensis and the recently described species A. brasiliensis are also potential causative agents of human infections. In the case of corneal infections, the available data indicate that these species may be responsible for a significant proportion of cases caused by black aspergilli. The aim of this review is to summarize the literature data about the involvement of black aspergilli (members of Aspergillus section Nigri) in human infections under tropical and semitropical climates, including otomycosis and eye infections. Available retrospective studies are summarized with special emphasis on the clinical manifestation, epidemiological aspects and therapeutical possibilities; furthermore, the molecular methods for the exact diagnosis and identification of black Aspergillus strains are also discussed.

PURPOSE: To report 2 cases of keratomycosis caused by Aspergillus tubingensis. METHODS: The therapeutic courses were recorded for 2 male patients, 52 and 78 years old, with fungal keratitis caused by black Aspergillus strains. Morphological examination of the isolates was carried out on malt extract agar plates. A segment of the beta-tubulin gene was used for molecular identification. Antifungal susceptibilities were determined by the E test method for molds and the broth microdilution technique National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards M38-A. RESULTS: A 52-year-old man presented with complaints of pain and redness in the right eye. The patient was successfully treated with natamycin and econazole eyedrops, itraconazole eye ointment, and oral ketoconazole. A 78-year-old man presented with total corneal necrosis in the right eye. A therapeutic keratoplasty was performed, and topical natamycin and econazole were applied. At the postoperative visit after 3 weeks, almost the full corneal graft was clear with formed anterior chamber. Black Aspergillus strains were isolated from the corneal scrapings of both cases and initially identified as Aspergillus niger based on culture characteristics. Sequence analysis of a segment of the beta-tubulin gene revealed that the isolates are representatives of A. tubingensis. CONCLUSIONS: Aspergillus tubingensis is closely related with A. niger, the differentiation of these 2 species is difficult by classical morphological criteria. To our knowledge, the presented cases of fungal keratitis are the first reports on ocular infection caused by A. tubingensis., PURPOSE: To report 2 cases of keratomycosis caused by Aspergillus tubingensis. METHODS: The therapeutic courses were recorded for 2 male patients, 52 and 78 years old, with fungal keratitis caused by black Aspergillus strains. Morphological examination of the isolates was carried out on malt extract agar plates. A segment of the beta-tubulin gene was used for molecular identification. Antifungal susceptibilities were determined by the E test method for molds and the broth microdilution technique National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards M38-A. RESULTS: A 52-year-old man presented with complaints of pain and redness in the right eye. The patient was successfully treated with natamycin and econazole eyedrops, itraconazole eye ointment, and oral ketoconazole. A 78-year-old man presented with total corneal necrosis in the right eye. A therapeutic keratoplasty was performed, and topical natamycin and econazole were applied. At the postoperative visit after 3 weeks, almost the full corneal graft was clear with formed anterior chamber. Black Aspergillus strains were isolated from the corneal scrapings of both cases and initially identified as Aspergillus niger based on culture characteristics. Sequence analysis of a segment of the beta-tubulin gene revealed that the isolates are representatives of A. tubingensis. CONCLUSIONS: Aspergillus tubingensis is closely related with A. niger, the differentiation of these 2 species is difficult by classical morphological criteria. To our knowledge, the presented cases of fungal keratitis are the first reports on ocular infection caused by A. tubingensis.

We report the first known case of fungal keratitis caused by Aspergillus nomius. Ocular injury was known as a predisposing factor. The patient was treated with natamycin and econazole eye drops, itraconazole eye ointment, and oral ketoconazole. A therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty was performed 16 days after presentation. A sequence-based approach was used to assign the isolate to a species., We report the first known case of fungal keratitis caused by Aspergillus nomius. Ocular injury was known as a predisposing factor. The patient was treated with natamycin and econazole eye drops, itraconazole eye ointment, and oral ketoconazole. A therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty was performed 16 days after presentation. A sequence-based approach was used to assign the isolate to a species.