• Users Online: 73622
  • Home
  • Print this page
  • Email this page

   Table of Contents      
BRIEF COMMUNICATION
Year : 2008  |  Volume : 56  |  Issue : 3  |  Page : 243-245

Voriconazole for the treatment of refractory Aspergillus fumigatus keratitis


1 Infiniti Eye Hospital, Jaya Mahal, French Bridge, Opera House, Mumbai - 400 007, Maharashtra, India
2 LV Prasad Eye Institute, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 500 034, Andhra Pradesh, India
3 Cumballa Hill Hospital, Kemps Corner, Mumbai - 400 036, Maharashtra, India

Date of Submission25-Jun-2007
Date of Acceptance22-Aug-2007
Date of Web Publication22-Apr-2008

Correspondence Address:
Hijab Mehta
Infiniti Eye Hospital, 6, Jaya Mahal, Next to Patidar Samaj Hall, French Bridge, Opera House, Mumbai - 400 007, Maharashtra
India
Login to access the Email id

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/0301-4738.40369

Rights and Permissions
  Abstract 

We report a case of Aspergillus fumigatus keratitis in a 53-year-old, well-controlled diabetic female who did not respond to standard antifungal treatment. She was started on topical natamycin eye drops, but the infiltrate continued to progress. Topical amphotericin B and systemic ketoconazole was added, however, there was no response and the infiltrate increased further. She was then switched to topical and systemic voriconazole. Steady resolution of the infiltrate was noted within 2 weeks of therapy.

Keywords: Aspergillus , fungal keratitis, voriconazole


How to cite this article:
Mehta H, Mehta HB, Garg P, Kodial H. Voriconazole for the treatment of refractory Aspergillus fumigatus keratitis. Indian J Ophthalmol 2008;56:243-5

How to cite this URL:
Mehta H, Mehta HB, Garg P, Kodial H. Voriconazole for the treatment of refractory Aspergillus fumigatus keratitis. Indian J Ophthalmol [serial online] 2008 [cited 2024 Mar 29];56:243-5. Available from: https://journals.lww.com/ijo/pages/default.aspx/text.asp?2008/56/3/243/40369

Fungal keratitis is a leading cause of ocular morbidity; one report from South India found that 44% of all central corneal ulcers are caused by fungi. [1],[2] Isolated pathogens vary with the geographic area studied. [3] Yeast, especially Candida predominate in the temperate regions, whereas tropical isolates are mostly filamentous fungi. In India, filamentous fungi are the major etiologic agents of fungal keratitis. Fusarium and Aspergillus species are the most commonly implicated pathogens. [2],[3],[4],[5]

Therapy of fungal infections, both ocular and systemic, can be difficult and prolonged. Challenges include limited number of antifungal agents, fungistatic nature of the available antifungals and poor tissue penetration of previously investigated agents. Voriconazole (Vfend; Pfizer Pharmaceuticals) is a new triazole antifungal agent, with the broadest spectrum of antifungal activity. [6],[7],[8],[9],[10] The purpose of this case is to report that voriconazole has worked effectively in a patient with Aspergillus fumigatus keratitis, which did not respond to standard antifungal therapy.


  Case Report Top


A 53-year-old female came to us with history of foreign body entry in the left eye. Renovation of her house was underway and the exact nature of the foreign body was not known to her; however, she washed her eyes with plenty of tap water to get rid of it. She presented to us the next day with a large central corneal epithelial defect 7 mm × 6 mm in size, there was no infiltrate, there were two old corneal scars in the midperipheral cornea, she was treated with topical gatifloxacin and homatropine. The epithelial defect reduced, she was symptomatically better on the following day; however, on the third day, she developed a superficial corneal infiltrate with hyphate edges 2 mm × 1 mm and a satellite lesion [Figure - 1], visual acuity was 20/40, clinically it appeared to be a fungal infection. Our patient was a family physician herself and was explained the need for a corneal scraping [Figure - 2]; she insisted that we give empirical treatment with an antifungal medication and scrape only, if there was no response. She was treated with 5% natamycin eye drops half hourly along with homatropine eye drops thrice a day and gatifloxacin eye drops four times a day, also epithelial debridement was done regularly in view of poor corneal penetration of topical antifungal agents. After showing an initial response to the treatment [Figure - 3], the infiltrate increased in size and density, corneal scraping revealed filamentous fungus, cultures grew Aspergillus fumigatus [Figure - 4]. Since she had worsened despite 2 weeks of natamycin, we added topical amphotericin B 0.15% and systemic ketoconazole 200 mg twice a day. She gave history of diabetes since 3 years, which was well controlled, liver functions and renal functions were within the normal range and she had no history of any other systemic illness. Since the infiltrate kept increasing even with combined natamycin and amphotericin B therapy over the next 10 days [Figure - 5], we started her on topical voriconazole 1% every hour and systemic voriconazole 400 mg twice a day was given as loading dose on the first day followed by 200 mg twice a day. There was a steady resolution of the infiltrate in 2 weeks; topical voriconazole was tapered slowly over 2 months; oral therapy was discontinued by the end of 3 months, when the lesion scarred completely [Figure - 6] and vision was 2/60. There were no adverse events other than mild photosensitivity; liver function tests were repeated every 4 weeks and remained normal.


  Discussion Top


Aspergillus is a filamentous and ubiquitous fungus found in nature, commonly isolated from soil, plant debris and indoor air environment. It is known to cause opportunistic infections, especially in immunosuppressed individuals. Any organ system in the body may be involved. As with other filamentous fungi, most cases of Aspergillus keratitis have a history of trauma, particularly with vegetable matter. [2],[3],[4],[5]

Voriconazole is a triazole antifungal agent and is a second-generation synthetic derivative of fluconazole; it is effective against yeast and filamentous fungi. The primary mode of action of voriconazole is the inhibition of cytochrome P-450-mediated 14-α-lanosterol demethylation, an essential step in fungal ergosterol biosynthesis and the resulting ergosterol depletion causes fungal cell wall destruction. It is well tolerated after oral administration; therapeutic aqueous and vitreous levels are achieved after administration of upto 200 mg twice a day. [11],[12]

Reports of topical and oral voriconazole have illustrated its efficacy in the management of fungal keratitis caused by Candida, Fusarium, Alternaria, Scedosporium that was refractory to standard antifungal agents but responded to voriconazole treatment. [11] It has also been effective for the treatment of Aspergillus fumigatus scleritis and epibulbar abscess resulting from scleral buckle infection. [6] Intravitreal voriconazole has been used for drug-resistant fungal endophthalmitis. [13] A recent report has compared the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of natamycin, amphotericin, and voriconazole against Aspergillus species isolated from keratitis. [14] MIC of natamycin was 32 µg/ml, MIC of amphotericin B was 2-4 µg/ml, and that of voriconazole was the lowest 0.25-0.5 µg/ml. It is to be noted that effectiveness of antifungal agents depends on the concentration of drug achieved locally; in practice, the topical antifungals are given at different concentrations - amphotericin B because of toxicity is prescribed at 0.15%, voriconazole at 1% and natamycin at 5%; thus, although the MIC level of natamycin is higher, it is administered at five times the strength of voriconazole and 30 times that of amphotericin B. Thus, the natamycin MIC would need to be adjusted according to the available dose and will be lower.

Based on the available literature, eye drops were prepared by reconstituting lyophilized powder used for parenteral administration (Vfend 200 mg, Pfizer) with 19-ml sterile water for injection to obtain 20 ml of 1% solution and were administered every hour round the clock initially, they were then gradually tapered as the infection resolved over 2 months. The corneal infiltrate reduced remarkably in 2 weeks; however, the endothelial exudates and hypopyon took nearly 10 weeks to settle. Voriconazole eye drops were prepared every alternate day, stability of the solution could be extended up to 48 h between 2°C and 8°C, according to the manufacturer. [11] Epithelial debridement may not be necessary for voriconazole penetration, because voriconazole is a small, lipophilic molecule. [12] For optimum intraocular drug concentration, both oral and topical administration of voriconazole is recommended. [12] Adverse effects of systemic use include visual disturbances such as enhanced light perception, color vision changes, visual blurring, skin rash, and hepatotoxicity, which are all transient in nature; on topical application, ocular burning has been reported. The duration of treatment depends on severity of keratitis and individual clinical response; it has been used for upto 4 months. [6],[11]

Because of its broad spectrum of coverage, good tolerability, and excellent bioavailability with oral administration, voriconazole may be a good alternative against fungi-resistant to standard antifungal agents; however, the expenditure involved in voriconazole treatment will pose a constraint in its more frequent usage.


  Acknowledgment Top


Dr. Camila Rodrigues, Microbiology Department, P.D. Hinduja National Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Mahim, Mumbai, for laboratory diagnosis of fungal infection.

 
  References Top

1.
Sharma S, Srinivasan M, George C. The current status of Fusarium species in mycotic keratitis in South India. J Med Microbiol 1993;11:140-7.  Back to cited text no. 1
    
2.
Srinivasan M. Fungal keratitis. Curr Opin Ophthalmol 2004;15:321-7.  Back to cited text no. 2
[PUBMED]  [FULLTEXT]  
3.
Garg P, Gopinathan U, Choudhary K, Rao GN. Keratomycosis: Clinical and microbiologic experience with dematiaceous fungi. Ophthalmology 2000;107:574-80.  Back to cited text no. 3
[PUBMED]  [FULLTEXT]  
4.
Bharathi MJ, Ramakrishnan R, Vasu S, Meenakshi R, Palaniappan R. Epidemiological characteristics and laboratory diagnosis of fungal keratitis: A three-year study. Indian J Ophthalmol 2003;51:315-21.  Back to cited text no. 4
[PUBMED]  Medknow Journal  
5.
Gopinathan U, Garg P, Fernandes M, Sharma S, Atmanathan S, Rao GN. The epidemiologic features and laboratory results of fungal keratitis: A 10 year review at a referral eye care centre in South India. Cornea 2002;21:555-9.  Back to cited text no. 5
    
6.
Kim JE, Perkins SL, Harris GJ. Voriconazole treatment for fungal scleritis and epibulbar abcess resulting from scleral buckle infection. Arch Ophthalmol 2003;121:735-7.  Back to cited text no. 6
[PUBMED]    
7.
Denning DW, Ribaud P, Milpied N, Caillot D, Herbrecht R, Thiel E, et al . Efficacy and safety of voriconazole in the treatment of acute invasive aspergillosis. Clin Infect Dis 2002;34:563-71.  Back to cited text no. 7
[PUBMED]  [FULLTEXT]  
8.
Reis A, Sundmacher R, Tintelnot K, Agostini H, Jensen HE, Althaus C. Successful treatment of ocular invasive mold infection (fusariosis) with the new antifungal agent voriconazole. Br J Ophthalmol 2000;84:932-3.  Back to cited text no. 8
[PUBMED]  [FULLTEXT]  
9.
Hariprasad SM, Meiler WF, Holz ER, Gao H, Kim JE, Chi J, et al . Determination of vitreous, aqueous and plasma concentration of orally administered voriconazole in humans. Arch Ophthalmol 2004;122:42-7.  Back to cited text no. 9
    
10.
Marangon FB, Miller D, Giaconi JA, Alfonso EC. In vitro investigation of voriconazole susceptibility for keratitis and endophthalmitis fungal pathogens. Am J Ophthalmol 2004;137:820-5.  Back to cited text no. 10
[PUBMED]  [FULLTEXT]  
11.
Bunya VY, Hammersmith KM, Rapuano CJ, Brandon DA, Elisabeth JC. Topical and oral Voriconazole in the treatment of fungal keratitis. Am J Ophthalmol 2007;143:151-3.  Back to cited text no. 11
    
12.
Thiel MA, Zinkernagel AS, Burhenne J, Kaufmann C, Haefeli WE. Voriconazole concentration in human aqueous humor and plasma during topical or combined topical and systemic administration for fungal keratitis. Antimicrobial Agents Chemother 2007;51:239-44.  Back to cited text no. 12
    
13.
Sen P, Gopal L, Sen PR. Intravitreal Voriconazole for drug resistant fungal endophthalmitis: Case series. Retina 2006;26:935-9.  Back to cited text no. 13
[PUBMED]  [FULLTEXT]  
14.
Laitha P, Shapiro BL, Srinivasan M, Prajna NV, Acharya NR, Fothergill AW, et al . Antimicrobial susceptibility of fusarium, aspergillus and other filamentary fungi isolated from keratitis. Arch Ophthalmol 2007;125:789-93.  Back to cited text no. 14
    


    Figures

  [Figure - 1], [Figure - 2], [Figure - 3], [Figure - 4], [Figure - 5], [Figure - 6]


This article has been cited by
1 A Rare Case of Mixed Infectious Keratitis Caused by Pseudomonas koreensis and Aspergillus fumigatus
Lin Wei Khoo, Sathish S. Srinivasan, Fiona L. Henriquez, Abhijit M. Bal
Case Reports in Ophthalmology. 2020; 11(3): 600
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
2 Efficacy of Luliconazole Against Broad-Range Filamentous Fungi Including Fusarium solani Species Complex Causing Fungal Keratitis
Daisuke Todokoro, Takashi Suzuki, Takashi Tamura, Koichi Makimura, Hideyo Yamaguchi, Katsuhiro Inagaki, Hideo Akiyama
Cornea. 2019; 38(2): 238
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
3 The Brief Case: A “Fresh” Pair of Contact Lenses
Eugene M. Tan, Matthew R. Starr, Michael R. Henry, Bobbi S. Pritt, Carey-Ann D. Burnham
Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 2018; 56(5)
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
4 Inflammation and oxidative stress in corneal tissue in experimental keratitis due to Fusarium solani: Amelioration following topical therapy with voriconazole and epigallocatechin gallate
Vasanthakumar V. Ruban, Philip T. Archana, Mahalingam Sundararajan, Pitchairaj Geraldine, Philip A. Thomas
Mycoses. 2018; 61(3): 159
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
5 A Hydrogel-Based Hybrid Theranostic Contact Lens for Fungal Keratitis
Jian-Fei Huang, Jing Zhong, Guo-Pu Chen, Zuan-Tao Lin, Yuqing Deng, Yong-Lin Liu, Piao-Yang Cao, Bowen Wang, Yantao Wei, Tianfu Wu, Jin Yuan, Gang-Biao Jiang
ACS Nano. 2016; 10(7): 6464
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
6 In VitroAntifungal Activity of Silver Nanoparticles Against Ocular Pathogenic Filamentous Fungi
Yan Xu,Chuanwen Gao,Xiaohua Li,Yi He,Lutan Zhou,Guangren Pang,Shengtao Sun
Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 2013; 29(2): 270
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
7 Antifungal effect of ophthalmic preservatives phenylmercuric nitrate and benzalkonium chloride on ocular pathogenic filamentous fungi
Yan Xu,Yi He,Xiaohua Li,Chuanwen Gao,Lutan Zhou,Shengtao Sun,Guangren Pang
Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease. 2013; 75(1): 64
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
8 Intracameral and Topical Voriconazole for Fungal Corneal Endoexudates :
Ruchi Mittal, Vikas Mittal
Cornea. 2012; 31(4): 366
[VIEW] | [DOI]
9 Single and multidose ocular kinetics and stability analysis of extemporaneous formulation of topical voriconazole in humans
Senthilkumari, S., Lalitha, P., Prajna, N.V., Haripriya, A., Nirmal, J., Gupta, P., Velpandian, T.
Current Eye Research. 2010; 35(11): 953-960
[Pubmed]
10 Comparison of natamycin and voriconazole for the treatment of fungal keratitis
Prajna, N.V., Mascarenhas, J., Krishnan, T., Reddy, P.R., Prajna, L., Srinivasan, M., Vaitilingam, C.M., (...), Acharya, N.R.
Archives of Ophthalmology. 2010; 128(6): 672-678
[Pubmed]
11 Preparation and Stability of Voriconazole Eye Drop Solution?
Dupuis, A. and Tournier, N. and Le Moal, G. and Venisse, N.
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. 2009; 53(2): 798-799
[Pubmed]
12 In Vitro Comparison of the Efficacies of Natamycin and Silver Nitrate against Ocular Fungi?
Xu, Y. and Pang, G. and Gao, C. and Zhao, D. and Zhou, L. and Sun, S. and Wang, B.
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. 2009; 53(4): 1636-1638
[Pubmed]
13 In Vitro Comparison of the Efficacies of Natamycin and Silver Nitrate against Ocular Fungi
Yan Xu, Guangren Pang, Chuanwen Gao, Dongqing Zhao, Lutan Zhou, Shengtao Sun, Bingliang Wang
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. 2009; 53(4): 1636
[Pubmed] | [DOI]



 

Top
 
 
  Search
 
    Similar in PUBMED
   Search Pubmed for
   Search in Google Scholar for
 Related articles
    Access Statistics
    Email Alert *
    Add to My List *
* Registration required (free)  

 
  In this article
Abstract
Case Report
Discussion
Acknowledgment
References
Article Figures

 Article Access Statistics
    Viewed6906    
    Printed150    
    Emailed4    
    PDF Downloaded649    
    Comments [Add]    
    Cited by others 13    

Recommend this journal