Fusarium Keratitis—Review of Current Treatment Possibilities

Abstract

In many parts of the world, fungi are the predominant cause of infectious keratitis; among which, Fusarium is the most commonly isolated pathogen. The clinical management of this ophthalmic emergency is challenging. Due to the retardation of the first symptoms from an injury and the inability to differentiate fungal from bacterial infections based on clinical symptoms and difficult microbial diagnostics, proper treatment, in many cases, is postponed. Moreover, therapeutical options of Fusarium keratitis remain limited. This paper summarizes the available treatment modalities of Fusarium keratitis, including antifungals and their routes of administration, antiseptics, and surgical interventions.

1. Introduction

Fusarium keratitis is a severe ocular infection and a common cause of monocular blindness in the tropical and subtropical areas of the world. The prevalence of Fusarium keratitis is difficult to establish. The annual prevalence of fungal keratitis is estimated to be 1,051,787 cases globally, with the highest estimated amount of incidences in Asia and Africa and the lowest in Europe [1]. While filamentous fungi are the main cause of fungal keratitis in tropical and subtropical climates, yeasts dominate in temperate climates [1,2]. Among globally reported cases of fungal keratitis, filamentous fungus Fusarium spp. is the most frequently isolated cause [1].

Fusarium spp. is widely distributed in the environment, especially in soil and plants. The main risk factors for Fusarium keratitis are trauma from organic matter, contact-lens use, ocular surgeries, ocular surface disease, together with intensive use of steroids [3].

The pathogenesis of Fusarium keratitis depends on the characteristics of the individual strain as well as the immunological response of the host [4]. The ability to form biofilm by Fusarium species has been investigated in a number of experimental models. Fusarium species can produce biofilm in vitro, as well as in contact lens models, and in vivo on the infected cornea [5,6,7,8]. Biofilm is considered a key to Fusarium pathogenicity and contributes to its resistance to antifungals [8,9]. In addition, enzymes, such as carboxypeptidase and aminopeptidase, as well as mycotoxins, such as fusaric acid, moniliformin, or fumonisin B1, which are secreted by Fusarium strains, play an important role in its virulence [10,11]. Regarding the host immunological response, it was demonstrated that Fusarium strains induce macrophage activation, infiltration by polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and increase in the levels of cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-8, IL-17, and TNF-α [12,13]. Increases in the activities of different enzymes, such as myeloperoxidase, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and matrix metalloproteinases, have also been reported [14,15]. The host response is mediated by several receptors, including toll-like-2 and 4 and vitamin D receptors [16,17]. Furthermore, Fusarium was reported to induce changes in the protein profile of the host’s tears [18]. It is suspected that a severe course of Fusarium infection may result from an excessive host immune response [12].

Because Fusarium keratitis, as with other fungal ulcers, can resemble bacterial keratitis, it is not possible to make a firm diagnosis based on clinical presentation (Figure 1). In a large prospective study, features such as serrated margins, raised slough, dry texture, satellite lesions, and color other than yellow, occurred significantly more frequently in fungal ulcers than in bacterial ulcers [3]. It was proven that serrated margins, raised slough, and color other than yellow were statistically independent features of fungal keratitis. The probability of diagnosis was 63% when one of these characteristics was present. If all three were present, the probability increased to 83%. Another study showed feathery margins, raised profile, and dry surface to be associated with fungal keratitis. In this study, Fusarium cases were more likely to show feathery margins and colors other than yellow than Aspergillus cases. At the same time, ulcers caused by Aspergillus more frequently presented hypopyon and raised profiles [19]. In a smaller study, Fusarium keratitis was less likely to present with raised slough and ring infiltrates than Aspergillus [20]. As in other fungal ulcers, definitive diagnosis of Fusarium keratitis is based on smears, cultures, in vivo laser scanning confocal microscope, and PCR, the first two of which are considered the gold standard [21,22].

The course of Fusarium infection can vary greatly, depending on the virulence of the subspecies, its sensitivity to antifungal drugs, and the timing of treatment (Figure 2 and Figure 3). It is estimated that, annually, around 100,000 eyes are removed worldwide due to delayed diagnosis and treatment failure of fungal keratitis [1]. As filamentous fungi are associated with the worse prognosis, it could be suspected that Fusarium accounts for a large proportion of this number [3].

For these reasons, Fusarium keratitis poses a serious ophthalmological emergency. In this review, we summarize the current pharmacological and surgical treatment options.

2. Search Strategy

We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Knowledge, and SCOPUS with the keywords “Fusarium keratitis”, “fungal keratitis”, “fusarium keratomycosis”, and “mycotic keratitis”, as well as other similar terms. In the preliminary review, we read 747 abstracts, out of which we chose 140 articles to include in this review (for further information about the search strategy and the PICO statement please, review the Supplementary Materials). We included three additional articles after suggestions from reviewers.

3. Antifungals

To date, due to the low efficacy of other polyene and azole drugs, natamycin (NAT), amphotericin B (AMB) and voriconazole (VCZ) are the most commonly used drugs in Fusarium keratitis [23,24,25]. Regarding allylamines, a retrospective study from China showed promising results of terbinafine used in smaller and shallower ulcers in a group of patients in which Fusarium was predominant isolate [26]. Nonetheless, the study of antifungal susceptibility of 426 Fusarium isolates collected from patients with fungal keratitis in China showed that Fusarium was less sensitive to terbinafine than to NAT and AMB [27].

3.1. Mechanisms of Action

NAT and AMB are polyenes, whereas VCZ is a triazole. NAT and AMB bind to ergosterol, an amphoteric molecule, which stabilizes fungal cell membrane. In case of AMB, this binding leads to the formation of pores in the cell membrane and the efflux of ions and other substances from inside the cell. The combination of NAT with ergosterol does not affect cell membrane permeability, but it leads to reversible inhibition of amino acids and glucose membrane transport proteins [28,29,30]. The VCZ mechanism of action is attributable to blocking the cytochrome p450 and 14-alpha demethylase complex, which results in a reduction of the ergosterol concentration in the membrane, which leads to destabilization of the membrane [31]. The mechanisms of action of the named antifungals are shown on Figure 4.

3.2. Topical Use

3.2.1. Natamycin

We should note that 5% NAT is the only Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drug registered for use (Natacyn^®) in the ocular fungal infections in the United States. Despite the high molecular weight limiting penetration into the deeper ocular tissues and, hence, the need for frequent and prolonged administration, it remains a gold standard for fungal keratitis [32,33,34]. Its wide antifungal spectrum covers the majority of Fusarium species and it was shown in a number of in vitro and in vivo studies [23,34]. One meta-analysis suggested that, when compared to other antifungals, NAT was particularly effective in treating initial Fusarium keratitis [35]. A Chinese study of 525 patients, among which 19.25% were positive for Fusarium, showed significant correlation between size of inhibition zones in susceptibility tests of NAT and clinical outcomes. The larger inhibition zones were associated with the higher rates of cure and the lower rates of evisceration. This was not observed in the case of two other tested antifungals [36]. Nonetheless, NAT used as monotherapy might not be effective in a significant proportion of Fusarium cases, even with proven in vitro susceptibility of the isolates. In one study, 46.6% cases required keratoplasty, regardless of the time of presentation, despite Fusarium isolates being sensible to NAT [37]. In the Mycotic Ulcer Treatment Trial I, which we describe below, 12.8% of NAT-treated patients either progressed to perforation or required therapeutic keratoplasty [38,39].

Although NAT is the only topical ophthalmic antifungal included on the 22nd WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (2021), it is not licensed in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), or in Europe (including the United Kingdom) [40,41,42]. Another problem is its high cost, which, among others, is attributable to the difficult formulation [27,43]. The limited availability of what is currently deemed the most effective drug for Fusarium keratitis treatment is, undoubtedly, a serious problem faced by practitioners, especially in LMICs, where the burden of this disease is greatest.

3.2.2. Natamycin vs. Amphotericin B

Similar to NAT, amphotericin B (AMB) is a polyene drug. In in vitro susceptibility tests of Fusarium species, minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for AMB were similar or lower than those for NAT [44,45,46,47]. Nonetheless, the most commonly used AMB concentration of 0.15% is much lower than 5% used for NAT, potentially allowing NAT superior bioavailability. Part of a randomized trial on collagen cross-linking in fungal keratitis compared the efficacy of topical 5% NAT to 0.15% AMB. Patients treated with AMB were more likely to have positive cultures at 3 days of follow-up then those treated with NAT. Additionally, the study showed that patients treated with AMB more frequently had epithelial defects; however, the difference was not statistically significant. No difference in ulcer or scar size was found at any follow-ups between the groups [48]. More frequent epithelial defects in the AMB group may be explained by the toxic effects of AMB previously reported in in vitro and in vivo studies, which revealed reduced viability and migration of the epithelial cells leading to the retardation of healing [49,50].

Taking into account the theoretical lower efficacy and possible side effects of AMB, and the lack of robust evidence, NAT is currently considered the first-line treatment for Fusarium keratitis in countries where NAT is available. Further research in the form of adequately powered, large randomized controlled trials are required to determine the efficacy and safety of AMB vs. NAT.

Because, in many reports, MICs of AMB were much lower than MICs of voriconazole (VCZ), AMB is likely a better choice than VCZ for first line Fusarium keratitis treatment in countries where NAT is not available [24,46,51].

3.2.3. Natamycin vs. Voriconazole

Among the more widely available azoles, Fusarium spp. is resistant to fluconazole, itraconazole, and ketoconazole [23,24]. In contrast, a newer second-generation drug, voriconazole, with proven good penetration into the eyeball, has gained popularity in the treatment of filamentous keratitis [52,53].

The well-known Mycotic Ulcer Treatment Trial I (MUTT I), which was conducted in South India, among other filamentous fungal keratitis patients, included 128 (40%) patients with Fusarium keratitis [38,54]. Most of the patients in the trial were from rural, tropical regions, with a history of corneal trauma. In this multicenter, double-masked trial, patients were treated with either topical 5% NAT or 1% VCZ administered hourly while awake for one week, and every two hours while awake for another two weeks. In this study, cultures taken on the sixth day were more likely to be positive in a VCZ-treated group than in the NAT-treated group (48% vs. 15%, respectively), with the same pattern in the Fusarium subgroup (60% in the VCZ-treated group vs. 8% in the NAT-treated group). The mean best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) at three months was 1.8 lines better in patients treated with NAT than in patients treated with VCZ. The difference was more prominent in the subgroup analysis of Fusarium cases, in which the mean BSCVA at three months in the NAT-treated group was 4.1 lines better than in the VCZ-treated group. Additionally, in the Fusarium subgroup, out of seven patients with perforations, six were treated with VCZ. According to the results, monotherapy with VCZ for Fusarium keratitis was not recommended. In vitro susceptibility testing results of the isolates from this trial were consistent with the in vivo results. Fusarium isolates were less susceptible to VCZ than to NAT and significantly less susceptible to VCZ than other fungal isolates [55]. Secondary analysis of MUTT I showed that culture positivity of the corneal scrapes taken on the sixth day of treatment significantly correlates with the worse prognosis [56,57].

MUTT I, along with two other trials, was included in the important systematic review on medical interventions in fungal keratitis made by FlorCruz [38,39,58,59]. While the majority of compared interventions did not show significant clinical differences, comparisons between NAT and VCZ showed superiority of NAT in the treatment of fungal keratitis. This was particularly evident in the reduction of the risk of corneal perforation.

Another randomized trial, also conducted in India, not included in the above-mentioned review, also found NAT to be superior to VCZ in fungal keratitis. Among 118 patients, the study included 29 Fusarium keratitis cases. In this study, the percentage of healed or resolving ulcers at the last follow-up was significantly higher in the NAT-treated group than in the VCZ-treated group (89.2% vs. 66.5%, respectively). While visual acuity improvement was significant on both day 7 and the last follow-up in the VCZ-treated group, the improvement of visual acuity was significant at day 7 and highly significant at the final follow-up in the NAT-treated group. In terms of visual acuity improvement, response to NAT was significantly better in patients with Fusarium keratitis. This was not observed in the subgroup with Aspergillus keratitis [60].

The higher in vitro susceptibility to NAT than to VCZ was shown to be particularly pronounced for the Fusarium solani, species known to have worse prognosis than other Fusarium isolates [23,61]. In contrary, in the experimental animal model of Fusarium solani keratitis, VCZ showed better efficacy than NAT and AMB, in terms of reducing infiltrate size as well as fungal load [62].

Based on the published research—topical NAT appears to be a much better choice than VCZ for first line treatment for Fusarium keratitis.

3.2.4. Natamycin vs. Econazole

In some LMICs, where availability to antifungals is limited, econazole is used in fungal keratitis therapy [41,63,64]. In a randomized trial conducted in India, in which Fusarium was predominant isolate (64/112), 2% econazole was found to be as effective as 5% NAT in terms of ulcer healing at four weeks [65]. In a study from Saudi Arabia, in which two hundred Fusarium isolates were tested for susceptibility to several antifungals, MICs of econazole were higher than MICs of AMB, similar to MICs of VCZ, and lower than MICs of NAT [25]. Some authors insisted on the inclusion of econazole on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for East Africa [41].

As it stands, there is limited evidence comparing NAT to econazole, particularly in relation to objective outcome data, such as BSCVA, making treatment recommendations difficult; further research in the form of adequately powered randomized controlled trials is required.

3.2.5. Combination Therapy

In vitro susceptibility testing of ten Fusarium isolates from culture-positive keratitis cases showed no synergistic effect of NAT and AMB [66]. This is probably due to similarity in mechanism of action. We found two reports assessing the synergistic effect of NAT and VCZ. While one of them revealed 23.1% synergism in inhibiting Fusarium strains, the other showed synergistic effect in 70% of Fusarium isolates. NAT and VCZ appear to be a beneficial combination in the treatment of Fusarium keratitis [67,68].

We also found an interesting report about a combination of AMB with rifampicin, a drug used for years in trachoma treatment with proven safety. Rifampicin has no antifungal effect when used alone [69]. It was suspected that AMB, which increases the membrane’s permeability, enables penetration of rifampicin into the cell where it blocks the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase subunit B. In vitro activity tests against F. solani SC of multiple rifampicin concentrations (4–32 µg/mL) showed synergism with a range from 11.8 to 94.1%. The clinical use of this combination requires further research.

3.3. Oral Antifungals

Mycotic Ulcer Treatment Trial II (MUTT II), conducted in South India and Nepal, aimed to assess the efficacy of oral VCZ, used as additional therapy in severe filamentous fungal keratitis (BCVA at enrolment < 20/200) [70]. Initially, patients received topical 1% VCZ in a regimen similar to MUTT I and oral VCZ (a dose of 2 × 400 mg on the first two days and 2 × 200 mg on subsequent days) or placebo. After MUTT I results became available, topical 5% NAT was added to the protocol in both arms. MUTT II showed no benefit of adding oral VRZ to the treatment of advanced mycotic ulcers. In addition, there was an increased incidence of adverse events in the oral VCZ group. A sub-analysis by species suggested a slight beneficial effect in the Fusarium subgroup, in terms of lower rates of perforations and therapeutical keratoplasties; however, the difference was not statistically significant [71].

Contrary to MUTT II, a randomized clinical trial conducted in North India, which compared the efficacy of oral VCZ to oral ketoconazole (KCZ) in severe keratitis, showed beneficial effects of oral VCZ [72]. At three months, the oral VCZ-group presented smaller scar sizes and better visual acuity. The study sample was smaller than in MUTT II (50 vs. 240) and the most common species was not Fusarium (40%), but Aspergillus (48.5%). In another randomized, double-masked trial of deep fungal keratitis, in which the Fusarium spp. was a predominant causative species, adding oral KCZ to topical 5% NAT, showed no benefit in treatment [73].

Based on the available randomized trials, the addition of oral voriconazole may be considered in severe cases of fungal keratitis caused by Fusarium strains, but there is insufficient evidence for its inclusion in the standard treatment protocols. In each case, the ratio of the potential benefits should be confronted with these adverse events, and a personalized approach for each patient should take into account the comorbidities and other aspects.

3.4. Intrastromal Use

In refractory cases of Fusarium corneal ulcers, adjunctive intrastromal use of antifungals was proposed in several studies as a measure to achieve higher drug concentrations in the affected tissues. Nonetheless, the experimental and clinical results are still not conclusive.

In an experimental model, Iranian researchers compared the efficacy of topical 5% NAT to topical 1% VCZ and intrastromal voriconazole injections (ISV) in Fusarium keratitis in rabbits. Single ISV and topical 5% NAT were similarly effective and superior to topical 1% VCZ [74].

A case series of twenty-five fungal keratitis patients treated in Southeast India included seven Fusarium positive cases. Patients were initially treated with topical 5% NAT for two weeks. When no effect or worsening was observed, topical 1% VCZ was added for another two weeks. In case of failure of this therapy, 50 µ/0.1 mL VCZ was injected intrastromally in five points surrounding the infiltrate. If necessary, ISV was repeated up to three times. Eighteen patients were successfully treated. Out of seven treatment failures, six were positive for Fusarium [75]. In another three case reports, in total, eight cases of recalcitrant Fusarium treatment were described, three of which were failures. In two of these cases, the infiltrates were large (11 × 10 mm and 9 mm) at the time of presentation [76,77,78].

We found three randomized trials on the intrastromal route of antifungal drug administration. The Mycotic Antimicrobial Localized Injection (MALIN) trial conducted in recent years was designed to assess the efficacy of ISV used as an additional treatment to topical 5% NAT, in moderate to severe fungal keratitis. In this study, ISV was given at the time of diagnosis. A total of 19 out of 70 (27.1%) patients were positive for Fusarium. This study showed no benefit of ISV in terms of microbial outcomes, visual acuity, the number of perforations, or corneal transplantations needed. Researchers suggested a possible increase in scar size in cases treated with ISV. Fusarium cases did not differ from the others in their course [79]. Another study compared topical VCZ to ISV used as an additional treatment in patients who showed no improvement after two weeks of treatment with topical NAT. The group treated with ISV showed significantly worse BSCVA after treatment. This could have resulted from the more central location of the ulcers in the ISV-group than in the topical VZC group (90% vs. 70%, respectively). In this study, out of forty patients, seven were positive for Fusarium [80]. Another recently published, prospective randomized clinical trial compared the effects of intrastromal injections of NAT, VCZ, and AMB in patients who, similar to the formerly described trial, showed progression or no improvement on topical 5% NAT therapy administered for two weeks. The study included 24/60 (40%) Fusarium positive cases. In all of the groups, more than 90% of patients were healed with the proposed treatment regimen. The mean duration of healing was shorter in the group treated with intrastromal NAT. Higher rates of vascularization were reported in the AMB group [81].

As the evidence for intrastromal application of antifungals is modest, further research, including the meta-analysis of the described trials, is warranted before any treatment recommendations can be made.

3.5. Intracameral Injections

Another way of increasing concentration of the drug in the deep corneal tissues might be the application to anterior chamber, which is usually used as adjunctive therapy.

Several cases of successful treatment of Fusarium keratitis, with hypopyon, with intracamerally administered AMB 50 µg/0.1 mL used as adjunctive therapy, were published. When needed, injections were repeated up to five times. In one of these case series, intracameral AMB injections were combined with intrastromal AMB applications [82,83]. On the other hand, reports from a randomized clinical trial conducted in India showed no benefit of intracameral AMB injections used additionally to topical natamycin and oral antifungal. In this study, out of 45 cultures, only two showed growth of F. solani [84].

In a few cases, intracameral VZC at a dose of 50 or 100 µg/0.1 mL, repeated up to eight times, was reported to be effective in deep Fusarium keratitis, in some cases with endophthalmitis [85,86].

The available evidence for this route of administration is scant. Therefore, intracameral injections of AMB and VCZ in treatment of Fusarium keratitis should be considered with appropriate caution, possibly, as a last resort treatment before transplant.

3.6. Topical, Systemic, and Targeted Therapy Protocol

Although a number of studies on the efficacy of different treatment modalities have been published, to date, there is still a lack of evidence to clearly guide fungal keratitis treatment. Sharma et al. treated 223 cases of fungal keratitis with the so-called “Topical, Systemic, and Targeted Therapy Protocol” [87]. Initially, all cases were treated with topical 5% NAT hourly in the first forty-eight hours, every two hours while awake until complete re-epithelialization, and every four hours for three weeks. If a lack of improvement or worsening were observed on the seventh to tenth days, topical 1% VCZ was added in a frequency similar to NAT. In case of a poor response after another seven to ten days, intrastromal VCZ was administered every seventy-two hours (maximum four injections). Subsequently, 200 mg of oral VCZ or KCZ twice a day were started at the time of diagnosis for large and/or deep infiltrates. Therapeutic keratoplasty was conducted in cases refractory to the treatment and in cases of corneal perforations. The majority of culture proven cases were Fusarium in this study (63/149). The general protocol success rate was 79.8%. In the group treated with intrastromal VCZ, the rate was even higher and equaled 89%. Unfortunately, a sub-analysis of particular species was not conduced. Nonetheless, as this is the first attempt to create fungal keratitis treatment regimen, this protocol might be of unique value for clinicians treating Fusarium keratitis.

The most commonly used antifungals, their dosages, and methods of administration are summarized in

Table 1. Dosages and methods of administration of the most commonly used antifungals.

Antifungal	Topical	Intrastromal	Intracameral	Oral	References
Natamycin	5%, hourly in first 48 h	10 µg/0.1 mL	not used	not used	[81,87]
Amphotericin B	0.15%, rarely used	5 µg/0.1 mL, can be repeated with 72 h interval	5 µg/0.1 mL, can be repeated	not used	[81,82,83,84]
Voriconazole	1%, hourly in first 48 h	50 µg/0.1 mL, can be repeated with 72 h interval	50 µg/0.1 mL, 100 µg/0.1 mL, can be repeated	2 × 400 mg in first 24 h, 2 × 200 mg in the next days	[70,79,81,85,86,87]

.

3.7. New Antifungals

In the reviewed reports, we found a total of 6 cases describing successful Fusarium keratitis treatment with the use of oral posaconazole [88,89,90]. In the case caused by F. solani, in which keratitis evolved into endophthalmitis, posaconazole was also administered topically. An Iranian report on fungal susceptibility patterns to azoles revealed excellent posaconazole susceptibility of F. solani, F. oxysporum, F. fujikuroi, F. falciforme, and F. proliferatum, but not F. keratoplasticum [91]. Nonetheless, the reports from the Netherlands and Spain showed high resistance of all tested Fusarium species to posaconazole [24,51]. The use of posaconazole in Fusarium keratitis requires further research.

Recently, in vitro study of 18 Fusarium isolates (FSSC, FOSC, FCSC, FIESC, FFSC) showed promising results of luliconazole [92]. This new imidazole antifungal had the lowest MIC₉₀s (0.06 μg/mL) among 11 substances tested. Moreover, MIC₉₀ values were much lower than that recorded for NAT (4 μg/mL) and VCZ (8 μg/mL). The in vivo use of this novel drug in Fusarium keratitis is still to be tested.

Although caspofungin, a relatively new echinocandin agent, is mentioned in some reviews as an alternative antifungal treatment in some keratitis cases, we found no report of the Fusarium case treated with this drug [93].

3.8. New Drug Delivery Possibilities

As poor antifungal penetration is a significant limitation of the therapy, the research is ongoing in order to improve its bioavailability. Experimental in vitro and in vivo use of a drug delivery system based on the polymeric vector of econazole revealed highly enhanced corneal penetration and perfect antifungal activity on F. solani isolates [94]. Chinese researchers designed and fabricated hybrid natural hydrogels with VCZ microspheres that could continuously release the drug for up to seven days and excellently inhibit F. solani growth [95]. To improve tissue penetration of NAT, it was conjugated with cell penetrating peptides [96]. These synthetized nanocarriers showed complete in vitro inhibition of F. solani growth. In a murine model of Fusarium dimerum keratitis NAT, conjugated with a cell penetrating peptide was fully effective in 44% of animals, while in the group treated with classic NAT suspension, it was only 13% [97]. The ongoing research on AMB nanosuspensions is also promising [98].

Although these treatment modalities are promising, further research is required to compare them in vivo to current standard therapies.

4. Antiseptics

4.1. Chlorhexidine—An Old Novel Cure

In the late 1990s, some promising results of the use of 0.2% chlorhexidine (CHX) in fungal (mostly Aspergillus and Fusarium) keratitis were published [99,100].

From the more recent publications, we chose two interesting reports by Oliveira dos Santos et al. In the first study, researchers assessed in vitro antifungal susceptibility of 98 Fusarium isolates collected from patients with keratitis in the Netherlands and Tanzania [101]. Researchers compared MICs of CHX to MICs of seven antifungals and showed that the inhibiting effect of CHX was broad, but not superior to AMB, NAT, and VCZ. However, fungicidal effect of CHX was found in 90% of the F. oxysporum isolates and 100% of the F. solani at much lower concentrations than 0.02–0.2%, which are used in clinical practices. The fungicidal activity of other tested substances was lower than activity of CHX. As proof of the clinical significance of the above mentioned results, Oliveira dos Santos et al. published a case series of four patients with culture proven Fusarium keratitis, with small infiltrates that were successfully treated with 0.02% CHX alone [102]. The study showed good susceptibility of the isolated Fusarium strains to CHX as well as the high CHX fungicidal effect.

In clinical practice, chlorhexidine is probably more often concerned as an adjunctive therapy. One study reported good synergistic antifungal effects of CHX and VCZ, but not of CHX and NAT tested in vitro and in vivo (G. mellonella model) on the F. solani and oxysporum strains collected from infected corneas, skin, nails, and auditory canals [103]. A pilot study from Uganda, in which CHX was used as a adjunctive therapy in recalcitrant fungal keratitis not responding to monotherapy with 5% NAT, among others, covered three cases of Fusarium spp. keratitis, of which only one was successfully treated [104]. In one of two other cases that ended up with eviscerations, perforation was found at presentation.

Several publications reported the toxic effects of chlorhexidine observed on the cornea. Time and concentration-dependent toxicity was shown in an in vitro study [105]. Cases of keratitis and permanent corneal opacifications resulting from misuse of CHX antiseptic solutions were described. However, the concentrations of CHX were much higher than those used in ophthalmic solutions (4–5% vs. 0.02–0.2%). In addition, the solutions were alcoholic and contained detergents, unlike the aqueous solutions used to treat fungal keratitis [106,107]. In a large retrospective case series and a randomized clinical trial, in which aqueous CHX was used as an ocular antisepsis prior to intravitreal injections, no toxicity was reported [108,109]. We found one case report in which toxic keratitis associated with the use of the 0.02% solution was suspected [110]. An anaphylactic shock after the topical ophthalmic administration was reported in Japan [111].

Clinical use of CHX in Fusarium keratitis warrants further research. The two ongoing randomized trials may bring some practical information for the clinicians. A trial conducted in Nepal aims to prove non-inferiority of topical 0.2% CHX to topical 5% NAT in fungal keratitis [112]. A study comparing treatment of fungal keratitis with topical 5% NAT alone to treatment combination of 5% NAT and 0.2% CHX is underway in East Africa [113].

4.2. Povidone Iodine

We found one case of Fusarium oxysporum keratitis successfully treated with 1% povidone iodine solution in Senegal [114]. Nonetheless, a pilot study, which compared efficacy of 5% NAT to 0.5% povidone iodine in a Fusarium solani animal model, showed no benefit of the latter [115]. Two other studies on susceptibility revealed povidone iodine as ineffective in fungal keratitis [116,117].

4.3. Ophthalmic Preservatives

A German case series described three cases of Fusarium keratitis treatment with topical 0.02% polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) [118]. Two cases of refractory Fusarium solani keratitis resolved on treatment with topical and systemic antifungals with the addition of topical 0.02% polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB). In the third case, the patient was primary suspected for Acanthamoeba and treated with topical 0.02% polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) and propamidine isethionate alone. Culture showed the growth of Fusarium spp. and a confocal scanning microscope revealed the presence of filamentous structures. Subsequently, symptoms of the keratitis resolved without the addition of any antifungal. Researchers assessed MICs of PHMB and propamidine isethionate in isolates from the described cases as well as in five other Fusarium isolates (solani, proliferatum, and oxysporum) from other keratitis patients. In all cases, the isolates were susceptible to PHMB and highly resistant to propamidine isethionate.

As PHMB is cheap and widely available, studies comparing its efficacy to classical antifungal drugs are highly anticipated.

5. Crosslinking

Collagen crosslinking (CXL), a therapeutic option using riboflavin activated with ultraviolet A light, was originally used to treat keratoconus. Due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, as well as enhancing corneal tissue resistance to enzymatic damage, CXL has also been used in infectious keratitis, especially with corneal melting. Although the protocol is the same, in this indication name, ‘photoactivated chromophore for infectious keratitis-corneal collagen cross-linking’ (PACK-CXL) is used [119,120,121].

Experimental in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo studies in animal and human models have shown confounding results in terms of inhibition of Fusarium (species solani and oxysporum were used in two separate studies) growth, as well as changing levels of metalloproteinases, prevention of morphological changes in corneal tissue, and suppressing the progression of fungal keratitis [122,123,124,125,126]. A randomized clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of CXL in refractory deep stromal fungal keratitis had to be discontinued with only thirteen patients enrolled due to the strong suspicion that CXL promotes the occurrence of corneal perforations [127]. However, in this trial, all Fusarium positive patients, one in the study group (topical treatment with CXL), two in the control group (topical treatment only), healed completely with scarring. Another trial randomized one hundred eleven patients with moderate fungal keratitis into four groups (topical 5% NAT alone, topical 5% NAT with CXL, topical 0.15% AMB alone, and topical 0.15% AMB with CXL) [48]. Fusarium was the most common fungal species and grew in cultures collected from 45 patients. No benefit of CXL was demonstrated. CXL had no effect on microbiological outcomes, infiltration or scar size, degree of epithelialization, or incidence of adverse events, such as perforation or need for keratoplasty. Furthermore, negative influence on visual acuity was suspected. It has been suggested that the results of the study may have been distorted due to miscalculation of the sample size, inadequate outcome measures, and an inappropriate PACK-CXL protocol [128,129]. In contrast to the above-mentioned studies, in a randomized study of 41 patients (only nine Fusarium-positive cases enrolled) CXL used as adjuvant therapy to topical medical treatment had a positive effect on healing of the infiltrate, as well as length and intensity of the treatment [130]. Positive effects were also reported by clinicians from Columbia, who successfully treated a case of severe marginal Fusarium spp. with imminent perforation using novel surgical technique of simultaneous therapeutical keratoplasty and PACK-CXL [131].

Based on the available scientific evidence, the use of PACK-CXL in Fusarium keratitis, is, for now, questionable, and requires further research, including adequately powered randomized controlled trials.

Interestingly, in vitro study on Fusarium solani and two other fungal isolates showed growth inhibiting effects of the photodynamic therapy (PDT) using another chromophore (rose bengal excited with green light) [132]. In a recently published pilot study on rose bengal photodynamic antimicrobial therapy (RB-PDAT) used in progressive microbial keratitis unresponsive to standard treatment, out of eighteen enrolled patients, four were positive for Fusarium [133]. Two of them, who had history of contact-lens use, recovered after RD-PDT. In two others with much larger infiltrates at the time of RD-PDT, therapeutic keratoplasty had to be conducted in the follow-up; one of them further underwent evisceration. We also found an interesting case report of contact lens-associated F. keratoplasticum keratitis from Florida [134]. In this case, when in vitro susceptibility tests revealed intermediate resistance to NAT and high resistance to AMB, VCZ, and fluconazole, riboflavin CXL and RB-PDAT were tested in vitro. Only RB-PDAT resulted in the inhibition of fungal growth. These results were consistent with clinical course. Despite topical NAT, oral fluconazole, and intrastromal AMB progression was observed. Conversely, the use of RD-PDAT resulted in successful recovery.

Although the use of RD-PDT in Fusarium keratitis appears promising, it still requires further research.

6. Argon Laser

In a case series of two patients with Fusarium keratitis refractory to topical antifungals, an argon laser, used as an adjunctive therapy, promoted resolution of the infiltrates. Thermal effects and damage to the corneal epithelium that enabled better penetration of antifungals were suggested as possible mechanisms of action [135].

7. Therapeutic Keratoplasty

When other treatment modalities fail, therapeutic keratoplasty is a chance to save the eye and preserve vision. Currently, depending on whether or not Descemet’s membrane is infected, therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty (TPK) or therapeutic lamellar keratoplasty (TLK) are used.

In an Indian study involving 198 eyes (31 cases of Fusarium)—fungal infection was eradicated in 89.9% of patients who underwent TPK [136]. In the remaining patients, the mean time to relapse was 15 ± 9.3 days (range, 1–28 days), and the larger size of the infiltrate and larger size of the graft were risk factors for recurrence (p = 0.007 and p = 0.02). While the median graft survival rate was 5.9 months, the grafts <8 mm had better survival than those with >8 mm (p = 0.026). In a study of 899 patients, who underwent TPK or TLK, treatment with steroids before surgery, hypopyon, perforation, limbus, and/or lens involvement were the most commonly reported risk factors for recurrence. Infection recurred in 6.34% of patients and there was no statistically significant difference in its frequency between the TPK and TLK group [137]. In a trial, which, among others, included 905 Fusarium cases, infection recurred in 68 of them [138]. The rates of recurrence were similar to other fungal species. This study suggested that regrafts should not be delayed longer than 3–5 days in case of recurrence and failure of topical treatment.

Based on this research, it is important to note the point at which keratoplasty should be performed. In view of the increased risk of recurrent infection and graft rejection associated with the size of the infiltration and the degree of fungal penetration into the eyeball, it seems that the decision to transplant should not be delayed. Apart from medical reasons, a small study from Taiwan suggested that early keratoplasty in the treatment of moderate (infiltrates between 3 to 6 mm in diameter and depth of infiltration limited to anterior 2/3) Fusarium keratitis enabled shorter hospital stays and lowered treatment costs [139]. We found no reports on long-term cost-effectiveness of TPK.

In the above-mentioned studies, topical antifungal therapy was continued postoperatively, whereas steroid immunosuppression was postponed for at least ten days after surgery and introduced only in cases where there was no sign of recurrence. This is currently the most common approach. We found promising results of using topical 0.5% and 0.1% cyclosporin A (CsA) instead of steroids in early postoperative treatment after TPK in fungal keratitis [140,141]. In some studies, the combination of azoles with CsA showed synergistic fungicidal effect [142,143].

8. Conclusions

Fusarium keratitis is very difficult to manage. The course of the infection can vary greatly depending on the virulence of the strains, its susceptibility to the antifungals and the time of diagnosis. Clinicians treating ocular Fusarium infections are faced with common resistance of isolates and poor drug penetration into ocular tissues. Compared to the number of available antibiotics, the number of available antifungal drugs is very modest. In addition, the few effective drugs are difficult to obtain in LMICs with the highest numbers of cases, as well as in many developed countries with lower incidences. Although Fusarium keratitis is a serious burden in some regions of the world, there are still no clear treatment guidelines available.

Based on available evidence, it is advisable to use topical 5% NAT as a first line treatment. In countries where NAT is not available, the choice of first-line therapy is difficult given the lack of clear evidence regarding treatment efficacy. Options include 0.15% AMB, 1% VCZ, 0.2% CHX, or 2% econazole. Decisions should be based on local fungal susceptibility patterns (if known), drug availability (including the ability to manufacture “in house” as with AMB or CHX), and cost. Some of these agents, such as AMB and CHX, may be useful as adjunctive topical agents; however, more research is required to explore this further. In recalcitrant cases, intrastromal and intracameral applications of AMB and VCZ can be considered as a way to increase drug bioavailability. However, available evidence is poor. We suspect that melting of the lens, which occurred in one of our Fusarium keratitis cases (Figure 3), might have been due to toxic effects of the drugs repeatedly injected into the anterior chamber, although we have found no publications describing such adverse effect. TPK or TLK are treatment options for cases not responding to medical treatments. Based on actual research, to lower the rate of recurrence and graft failure, this surgical treatment should not be delayed. Promising treatment options include photodynamic therapy with the use of rose bengal and green light, but, for now, this requires further research.

In our clinical cases presented in the figure collage, we described two extremely different courses of disease and treatment. In one case, a rapid microbiological diagnosis enabled early introduction of the appropriate treatment. At the time, when the treatment started the infiltrate was small and did not penetrate deep into cornea. The patient had excellent visual acuity. Compared to the most common F. solani SC, F. oxysporum SC has a better susceptibility profile, and the treatment with topical VCZ has proved sufficient.

In the second case, given the patient’s reluctance to be treated promptly, the patient likely presented too late to our department for any treatment to be effective. It is unclear whether it was primary Fusarium keratitis or if Fusarium infection developed secondary to treatment delay, and a prolonged course of topical steroids, in the presence of a large epithelial defect. At the presentation, the infiltrate was large and deep and was accompanied by hypopyon, meaning that the patient had three risk factors of recurrence at the time of TPK. In addition, for procedural reasons, we could not implement the proper antifungal treatment at the time of suspicion of the fungal infection. In this case, we were unable to determine the Fusarium subspecies, which made the treatment even more difficult. It is doubtful if an early second keratoplasty could have changed the course of this fulminant infection.

In conclusion, because Fusarium keratitis poses a serious threat for vision and, in severe cases, even the eye, with limited treatment options—prompt diagnosis and early introduction of antifungal treatment are essential. Improving the availability of the few effective drugs in LMICs with the highest incidence rates is an urgent issue. There is still a lot to be learned about medical and surgical treatments of this ocular emergency. The development of new antifungals or new routes of administration may bring about breakthroughs in the treatment of this extremely challenging infection.