SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OF MICROSPORIDIAL KERATOCONJUNCTIVITIS WITH TOPICAL FUMAGILLIN IN A PATIENT WITH AIDS

There recently have been several reports of microsporidial keratoconju nctivitis caused by the organism Encephalitozoon hellem. However, trea tment of this infection has been largely ineffective. We report a case of a 35-year-old Hispanic woman with AIDS and E. hellem keratoconjunc tivitis confirmed with light, electron, and immunofluorescence microsc opy that resolved promptly with topical fumagillin, a crystalline anti biotic with proven efficacy against Encephalitozoon species. No cornea l or systemic toxicities were noted using the dosage and preparation e mployed (10 mg/ml suspension in balanced salt solution). An easily pre pared, topical fumagillin suspension appears to be a safe, effective t reatment for E. hellem keratoconjunctivitis.