How a Devastating Case of Acanthamoeba Sclerokeratitis Ended up with Serious Systemic Sequelae
A 35-year old soft contact lens wearer with a proven bilateral Acanthamoeba keratitis developed a nodular scleritis. Based on the stepladder approach described by Iovieno et al. [Ophthalmology. 2014 Dec;121(12):2340–7], nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, methylprednisolone, and later azathioprine...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Karger Publishers
2020-07-01
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| Series: | Case Reports in Ophthalmology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/508326 |
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| author | Sophie Bataillie Rita Van Ginderdeuren Joachim Van Calster Beatrijs Foets Heleen Delbeke |
| author_facet | Sophie Bataillie Rita Van Ginderdeuren Joachim Van Calster Beatrijs Foets Heleen Delbeke |
| author_sort | Sophie Bataillie |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | A 35-year old soft contact lens wearer with a proven bilateral Acanthamoeba keratitis developed a nodular scleritis. Based on the stepladder approach described by Iovieno et al. [Ophthalmology. 2014 Dec;121(12):2340–7], nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, methylprednisolone, and later azathioprine were added to the antiamoebic treatment. Unfortunately, there was further deterioration and an endophthalmitis developed. Unbearable pain and concerns of spread to the brain urged an enucleation. Histopathological examination confirmed Acanthamoeba cysts in the cornea, sclera, retina, choroid, and vitreous body. As a side effect of the immunosuppressive treatment, the patient developed myopathy, pulmonary aspergillosis, and an avascular necrosis of the hip. Scleritis is a devastating complication of Acanthamoeba keratitis with a poor prognosis and a high enucleation rate. Acanthamoeba sclerokeratitis is, due to cyst-free biopsies, mostly assigned to an immune-mediated mechanism, justifying the use of immunosuppressive treatment. Scleritis in our case contributed to the extracorneal spread of Acanthamoeba. Our case is the first documented extracorneal spread of Acanthamoeba without previous surgery. Extracorneal spread of Acanthamoeba should be considered, even in the case of false-negative biopsies. We strongly recommend serial sections of the retrieved scleral specimen in case of negative histopathological examination to exclude an infection. Even when an immune-mediated scleritis is suspected, systemic immunosuppressive treatment should always be used with the greatest caution. Awareness of the side effects and monitoring by an experienced physician is mandatory. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-24T11:09:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c5b9e22a3d0b453bae0bb1bfee1b235d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1663-2699 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-24T11:09:17Z |
| publishDate | 2020-07-01 |
| publisher | Karger Publishers |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Case Reports in Ophthalmology |
| spelling | doaj.art-c5b9e22a3d0b453bae0bb1bfee1b235d2022-12-21T16:58:35ZengKarger PublishersCase Reports in Ophthalmology1663-26992020-07-0111234835510.1159/000508326508326How a Devastating Case of Acanthamoeba Sclerokeratitis Ended up with Serious Systemic SequelaeSophie BataillieRita Van GinderdeurenJoachim Van CalsterBeatrijs FoetsHeleen DelbekeA 35-year old soft contact lens wearer with a proven bilateral Acanthamoeba keratitis developed a nodular scleritis. Based on the stepladder approach described by Iovieno et al. [Ophthalmology. 2014 Dec;121(12):2340–7], nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, methylprednisolone, and later azathioprine were added to the antiamoebic treatment. Unfortunately, there was further deterioration and an endophthalmitis developed. Unbearable pain and concerns of spread to the brain urged an enucleation. Histopathological examination confirmed Acanthamoeba cysts in the cornea, sclera, retina, choroid, and vitreous body. As a side effect of the immunosuppressive treatment, the patient developed myopathy, pulmonary aspergillosis, and an avascular necrosis of the hip. Scleritis is a devastating complication of Acanthamoeba keratitis with a poor prognosis and a high enucleation rate. Acanthamoeba sclerokeratitis is, due to cyst-free biopsies, mostly assigned to an immune-mediated mechanism, justifying the use of immunosuppressive treatment. Scleritis in our case contributed to the extracorneal spread of Acanthamoeba. Our case is the first documented extracorneal spread of Acanthamoeba without previous surgery. Extracorneal spread of Acanthamoeba should be considered, even in the case of false-negative biopsies. We strongly recommend serial sections of the retrieved scleral specimen in case of negative histopathological examination to exclude an infection. Even when an immune-mediated scleritis is suspected, systemic immunosuppressive treatment should always be used with the greatest caution. Awareness of the side effects and monitoring by an experienced physician is mandatory.https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/508326acanthamoeba keratitisacanthamoeba sclerokeratitisnodular scleritisenucleation |
| spellingShingle | Sophie Bataillie Rita Van Ginderdeuren Joachim Van Calster Beatrijs Foets Heleen Delbeke How a Devastating Case of Acanthamoeba Sclerokeratitis Ended up with Serious Systemic Sequelae Case Reports in Ophthalmology acanthamoeba keratitis acanthamoeba sclerokeratitis nodular scleritis enucleation |
| title | How a Devastating Case of Acanthamoeba Sclerokeratitis Ended up with Serious Systemic Sequelae |
| title_full | How a Devastating Case of Acanthamoeba Sclerokeratitis Ended up with Serious Systemic Sequelae |
| title_fullStr | How a Devastating Case of Acanthamoeba Sclerokeratitis Ended up with Serious Systemic Sequelae |
| title_full_unstemmed | How a Devastating Case of Acanthamoeba Sclerokeratitis Ended up with Serious Systemic Sequelae |
| title_short | How a Devastating Case of Acanthamoeba Sclerokeratitis Ended up with Serious Systemic Sequelae |
| title_sort | how a devastating case of acanthamoeba sclerokeratitis ended up with serious systemic sequelae |
| topic | acanthamoeba keratitis acanthamoeba sclerokeratitis nodular scleritis enucleation |
| url | https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/508326 |
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