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 ill France. Methods: Hospital-based case series. All cases of Fusarium keratitis diagnosed in Department of Ophthalmology of the Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologic des Quinze-Vingts in Paris were reviewed front 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 R with MoistureLoc. Eight patients reported using others brands of contact lens cleaning SOIL16011. The final best corrected visual acuity ranged front 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 solution to be related with Fusarim keratitis.