Series of five cases of Papulaspora equi keratomycosis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to describe a case series of Papulaspora equi keratomycosis, with clinical and laboratory characteristics of an organism that has not been reported from scrapings of corneal ulcers from humans. METHODS: This is a retrospective chart review of 5 patients whose diagnostic corneal scrapings had grown P. equi on culture between 2008 and 2013. The clinical presentation, diagnostic tests, management, and the outcome of the ulcers are described. RESULTS: All patients showed characteristic features of fungal corneal ulcers on clinical examination. Only 2 of the 5 patients reported having a history of injury to their eyes. One patient showed surface pigmentation that could mimic a dematiaceous ulcer. All the patients responded to topical antifungal treatment with 5% natamycin or prepared 2% ketoconazole drops. CONCLUSIONS: Corneal ulcers may be caused by rare organisms, as in our series of patients who had P. equi keratomycosis, a hitherto unreported human pathogen. All the patients responded to treatment with conventional topical antifungal medications.