Fusarium Keratitis in Taiwan: Molecular Identification, Antifungal Susceptibilities, and Clinical Features

Abstract

We performed molecular identification and antifungal susceptibilities of pathogens and investigated clinical features of 43 culture-proven Fusarium keratitis cases from 2015–2020 in Taiwan. The pathogens were identified by sequencing of their internal transcribed spacer regions of ribosomal DNA and translation elongation factor 1α gene; their antifungal susceptibilities (to seven agents) were determined by broth microdilution method. We also collected clinical data to compare the drug susceptibilities and clinical features of Fusarium solani species complex (FSSC) isolates with those of other Fusarium species complexes (non-FSSC). The FSSC accounted for 76.7% pathogens, among which F. falciforme (32.6%) and F. keratoplasticum (27.9%) were the most common species. Among clinically used antifungal agents, amphotericin B registered the lowest minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), and the new azoles efinaconazole, lanoconazole and luliconazole, demonstrated even lower MICs against Fusarium species. The MICs of natamycin, voriconazole, chlorhexidine, lanoconazole, and luliconazole were higher for the FSSC than the non-FSSC, but no significant differences were noted in clinical outcomes, including corneal perforation and final visual acuity. In Taiwan, the FSSC was the most common complex in Fusarium keratitis; its MICs for five tested antifungal agents were higher than those of non-FSSC, but the clinical outcomes did not differ significantly.