Microsporidial Keratitis Related to Water Exposure: A Case Series

The objective of this retrospective study was to present a series of cases involving the rare ocular disease of microsporidia keratitis treated at a private practice clinic and describe the details regarding specific water exposure, clinical course, voriconazole treatment, and increased prevalence of this infection in Augusta, Georgia, USA. Our analysis was based on the accumulated data from all patients (n=15) diagnosed with microsporidia keratitis at our private practice clinic; the clinical course of three cases is discussed in detail in this article. Specific environmental exposures were documented in 10 patients. All patients self-reported that they had no acquired immunodeficiency. In all cases, patients had complete resolution of active symptoms after receiving treatment with 1-2% topical voriconazole, with an approximate average primary treatment duration of 40.1 +/- 17.1 days (median: 40 days, range: 14-70 days). None of the patients reported any clinically significant adverse effects from therapy. There have been increasing reports about this emerging infectious pathogen, particularly in Asia. However, there is limited data in the literature on the etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of microsporidia-caused ophthalmic diseases. In this case series, we highlight the strong correlation of our patients' condition with specific types of water exposure in the USA as well as the complete resolution of active disease in all our patients as a result of monotherapy with topical voriconazole.