Microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. 1990

D N Friedberg, and S M Stenson, and J M Orenstein, and P M Tierno, and N C Charles
Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center, New York, NY.

We describe three patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome who presented with a bilateral coarse superficial epithelial keratitis due to infection with the protozoal parasite Microspora, Encephalitozoon cuniculi. Despite the extent of the corneal surface disease, conjunctival inflammation was minimal. Visual acuity ranged from 20/20 to 20/200. In one patient, the keratitis was complicated by the development of a surface defect with secondary Pseudomonas species infection. All patients had a history of exposure to household pets. Standard cultures were negative. Diagnosis was established in two of the three cases based on characteristic appearance of the protozoan in conjunctival scrapings. Electron microscopy of a conjunctival biopsy specimen in one patient confirmed the species. No recognized effective treatment is available for this infection.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007634 Keratitis Inflammation of the cornea. Keratitides
D007639 Keratoconjunctivitis, Infectious Infectious diseases of cattle, sheep, and goats, characterized by blepharospasm, lacrimation, conjunctivitis, and varying degrees of corneal opacity and ulceration. In cattle the causative agent is MORAXELLA (MORAXELLA) BOVIS; in sheep, MYCOPLASMA; RICKETTSIA; CHLAMYDIA; or ACHOLEPLASMA; in goats, RICKETTSIA. Infectious Keratoconjunctivitis,Infectious Keratoconjunctivitides,Keratoconjunctivitides, Infectious
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D009670 Encephalitozoon cuniculi A species of parasitic FUNGI. This intracellular parasite is found in the BRAIN; HEART; and KIDNEYS of several MAMMALS. Transmission is probably by ingestion of the spores (SPORES, FUNGAL). Nosema cuniculi
D009894 Opportunistic Infections An infection caused by an organism which becomes pathogenic under certain conditions, e.g., during immunosuppression. Infection, Opportunistic,Infections, Opportunistic,Opportunistic Infection
D011528 Protozoan Infections Infections with unicellular organisms formerly members of the subkingdom Protozoa. Histomoniasis,Infections, Protozoan,Histomoniases,Infection, Protozoan,Protozoan Infection
D003228 Conjunctiva The mucous membrane that covers the posterior surface of the eyelids and the anterior pericorneal surface of the eyeball. Bulbar Conjunctiva,Palpebral Conjunctiva,Plica Semilunaris of Conjunctiva,Plicae Semilunares of Conjunctiva,Tunica Conjunctiva,Conjunctiva, Bulbar,Conjunctiva, Palpebral,Conjunctivas
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000163 Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome An acquired defect of cellular immunity associated with infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a CD4-positive T-lymphocyte count under 200 cells/microliter or less than 14% of total lymphocytes, and increased susceptibility to opportunistic infections and malignant neoplasms. Clinical manifestations also include emaciation (wasting) and dementia. These elements reflect criteria for AIDS as defined by the CDC in 1993. AIDS,Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Acquired,Immunologic Deficiency Syndrome, Acquired,Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome,Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome,Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome,Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndromes,Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndromes,Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome, Acquired,Immuno-Deficiency Syndromes, Acquired,Immunodeficiency Syndromes, Acquired,Syndrome, Acquired Immuno-Deficiency,Syndrome, Acquired Immunodeficiency,Syndromes, Acquired Immuno-Deficiency,Syndromes, Acquired Immunodeficiency

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