Outbreak of contact lens-related Fusarium keratitis in France

Background/aims In the context of a recent series of Fusarium keratitis cases in Singapore and the United States, we describe an outbreak of fungal keratitis attributable to Fusarium species among contact lens wearers in France. Methods Hospital-based case series. All cases of Fusarium keratitis diagnosed in Department of Ophthalmology of the Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie des Quinze-Vingts in Paris were reviewed from January 2004 through November 2006. A standardized telephone interview was conducted to obtain additional clinical information for research and the analysis of risk factors. Results During the study period, 17 patients (18 affected eyes) were diagnosed with Fusarium keratitis. The vast majority (14 patients, 82%) wore contact lenses. Six patients (43% of contact lens wearers) reported using ReNu with MoistureLoc. Eight patients reported using others brands of contact lens cleaning solution. The final best corrected visual acuity ranged from 20/20 to light perception; 5 patients (29.5%) required emergency therapeutic or tectonic corneal transplantation. No specific differences including Fusarium species or severity of keratitis were found between keratitis with ReNu MoistureLoc and keratitis without ReNu MoistureLoc. Conclusions This series reports the first outbreak of Fusarium keratitis in Europe. Once again, ReNu with MoistureLoc, a multipurpose lens disinfecting solutions seems to be related with Fusarium keratitis.