Traumatic Acremonium atrogriseum keratitis following laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis

Abstract

A 52-year-old man underwent bilateral laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. Eight months later, he sustained a penetrating corneal injury to the left eye. A dense white infiltrate, unresponsive to antimicrobial therapy, developed in the corneal stroma. Corneal biopsy and eventual penetrating keratoplasty were performed, and both specimens demonstrated fungal elements with branching, septate hyphae. Culture identified the organism as Acremonium atrogriseum. Histopathologic features of this organism and its differentiation from other, more common fungal organisms are discussed herein.