Resolution of microsporidial sinusitis and keratoconjunctivitis by itraconazole treatment

PURPOSE: To report successful treatment of ocular infection caused by the m icrosporidium Encephalitozoon cuniculi in a person with acquired immunodefi ciency syndrome (AIDS) and nasal and paranasal sinus infection. METHOD: Case report. RESULTS: Microsporidial infection in a person with AIDS and with chronic si nusitis and keratoconjunctivitis was diagnosed by Weber modified trichrome stain and trans mission electron microscopy. Symptoms completely re solved with itraconazole treatment (200 mg/day for 8 weeks) after albendazole ther apy (400 mg/day for 6 weeks) was unsuccessful. CONCLUSION: Itraconazole can be recommended in ocular, nasal, and paranasal sinus infection caused by E. cuniculi parasites when treatment with albend azole fails. (Am J Ophthalmol 1999;127:210-212. (C) 1999 by Elsevier Scienc e Inc. All rights reserved.)