Mycotic keratitis due to Curvularia senegalensis and in vitro antifungal susceptibilities of Curvularia spp.

A case of mycotic keratitis due to Curvularia senegalensis is reported. Thi s case represents the third known reported infection caused by this rare sp ecies. Fungal hyphae were detected in corneal scrapings, and repeated cultu res were positive for this fungi. The patient was presumed cured after a co rneal transplant and treatment with itraconazole, but the infection recurre d and the patient is waiting for a keratoplasty. The in vitro antifungal su sceptibilities of the case strain and another 24 strains belonging to seven species of Curvularia were tested for six antifungal agents. With the exce ption of flucytosine, and occasionally fluconazole, the other drugs assayed (amphotericin B, miconazole, itraconazole, and ketoconazole) were highly e ffective in vitro.