Rhodotorula rubra keratitis and melting after repeated penetrating keratoplasty.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To describe a rare case of Rhodotorula rubra keratitis in a corneal graft, and to discuss the management of this unusual pathogen.

METHODS:

A 78-year-old debilitated man was treated for corneal abscess and descemetocele in his right eye. Urgent penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) with old donor material was performed. The patient underwent a new PKP when appropriate donor cornea was available. The graft was clear after the operation. Corneal cultures were negative.

RESULTS:

One month after the second PKP procedure, deep stromal infiltrate with hypopyon appeared. Cultures grew R. rubra. A third PKP operation was performed. Systemic and topical amphotericin B treatment was started. Six months after the last operation the graft remains clear.

CONCLUSIONS:

Rhodotorula keratitis is an extremely rare infection that should be considered in debilitated patients with persistent and progressive corneal infection despite adequate antibiotic therapy.

• Authors: T Lifshitz, J Levy
• Journal: European journal of ophthalmology (Eur J Ophthalmol) 2005 Jan-Feb Vol. 15 Issue 1 Pg. 135-7 ISSN: 1120-6721 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15751254 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Dexamethasone
• Amphotericin B
• Ofloxacin

Topics

• Abscess (microbiology, surgery)
• Aged
• Amphotericin B (therapeutic use)
• Cornea (microbiology)
• Corneal Diseases (microbiology, surgery)
• Dexamethasone (therapeutic use)
• Drug Therapy, Combination (therapeutic use)
• Eye Infections, Fungal (diagnosis, drug therapy, microbiology)
• Humans
• Keratitis (diagnosis, drug therapy, microbiology)
• Keratoplasty, Penetrating
• Male
• Mycoses (diagnosis, drug therapy, microbiology)
• Ofloxacin (therapeutic use)
• Recurrence
• Reoperation
• Rhodotorula (isolation & purification)