Atypical conjunctival sporotrichosis secondary to Mooren’s ulcer: a case report
Abstract Background Conjunctival sporotrichosis is a rare fungal infection, typically presenting as granulomatous lesions. Its manifestations can be atypical, particularly in immunosuppressed patients. Here, we present a rare case of a Mooren’s ulcer patient with bulbar conjunctival Sporotrichosis p...
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2025-01-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-10467-8 |
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| author | Qing Su He Dong Lin Cui Lijun Zhang |
| author_facet | Qing Su He Dong Lin Cui Lijun Zhang |
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| description | Abstract Background Conjunctival sporotrichosis is a rare fungal infection, typically presenting as granulomatous lesions. Its manifestations can be atypical, particularly in immunosuppressed patients. Here, we present a rare case of a Mooren’s ulcer patient with bulbar conjunctival Sporotrichosis presenting as a salmon-pink tumor. Case presentation A 61-year-old with a history of Mooren’s ulcer and corneal transplantation was diagnosed with conjunctival Sporotrichosis in the left eye. Slit-lamp examination showed conjunctival congestion and edema with a salmon-pink appearance, accompanied by nodules looking like “bread crumbs” scattered under the conjunctiva. After partial tumor resection, histopathology and immunofluorescence staining suggested fungal infection with squamous epithelial hyperplasia. Microbiological testing (DNA) confirmed Sporothrix schenckii as the pathogen. The conjunctival mass resolved without recurrence after local and systemic anti-fungal medicine treatment. Despite the progression of Mooren’s ulcers, which further dissolved and perforated during treatment, aggressive management helped the patient retain some vision. Conclusion Immunosuppression, such as steroids and tacrolimus eyedrops, may predispose patients to opportunistic infections like sporotrichosis. Oral itraconazole, combined with subconjunctival and topical antifungal therapy, effectively treat severe Sporothrix conjunctivitis. Future studies should explore the balance between antifungal and immunosuppressive therapies to manage coexisting conditions like Mooren’s ulcer while curing fungal infections. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-16c8082564a84a98b972c09e9d3892d6 |
| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | BMC Infectious Diseases |
| spelling | doaj-art-16c8082564a84a98b972c09e9d3892d62025-01-19T12:11:39ZengBMCBMC Infectious Diseases1471-23342025-01-012511610.1186/s12879-025-10467-8Atypical conjunctival sporotrichosis secondary to Mooren’s ulcer: a case reportQing Su0He Dong1Lin Cui2Lijun Zhang3Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Cornea and Ocular Surface Diseases, Liaoning Provincial Optometry Technology Engineering Research Center, The Third People’s Hospital of Dalian, Dalian Municipal Eye Hospital, Dalian Municipal Cancer HospitalLiaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Cornea and Ocular Surface Diseases, Liaoning Provincial Optometry Technology Engineering Research Center, The Third People’s Hospital of Dalian, Dalian Municipal Eye Hospital, Dalian Municipal Cancer HospitalLiaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Cornea and Ocular Surface Diseases, Liaoning Provincial Optometry Technology Engineering Research Center, The Third People’s Hospital of Dalian, Dalian Municipal Eye Hospital, Dalian Municipal Cancer HospitalLiaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Cornea and Ocular Surface Diseases, Liaoning Provincial Optometry Technology Engineering Research Center, The Third People’s Hospital of Dalian, Dalian Municipal Eye Hospital, Dalian Municipal Cancer HospitalAbstract Background Conjunctival sporotrichosis is a rare fungal infection, typically presenting as granulomatous lesions. Its manifestations can be atypical, particularly in immunosuppressed patients. Here, we present a rare case of a Mooren’s ulcer patient with bulbar conjunctival Sporotrichosis presenting as a salmon-pink tumor. Case presentation A 61-year-old with a history of Mooren’s ulcer and corneal transplantation was diagnosed with conjunctival Sporotrichosis in the left eye. Slit-lamp examination showed conjunctival congestion and edema with a salmon-pink appearance, accompanied by nodules looking like “bread crumbs” scattered under the conjunctiva. After partial tumor resection, histopathology and immunofluorescence staining suggested fungal infection with squamous epithelial hyperplasia. Microbiological testing (DNA) confirmed Sporothrix schenckii as the pathogen. The conjunctival mass resolved without recurrence after local and systemic anti-fungal medicine treatment. Despite the progression of Mooren’s ulcers, which further dissolved and perforated during treatment, aggressive management helped the patient retain some vision. Conclusion Immunosuppression, such as steroids and tacrolimus eyedrops, may predispose patients to opportunistic infections like sporotrichosis. Oral itraconazole, combined with subconjunctival and topical antifungal therapy, effectively treat severe Sporothrix conjunctivitis. Future studies should explore the balance between antifungal and immunosuppressive therapies to manage coexisting conditions like Mooren’s ulcer while curing fungal infections.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-10467-8Sporothrix schenckiiSporotrichosisSalmon-pink conjunctival tumorSubconjunctival injectionImmunosuppression |
| spellingShingle | Qing Su He Dong Lin Cui Lijun Zhang Atypical conjunctival sporotrichosis secondary to Mooren’s ulcer: a case report BMC Infectious Diseases Sporothrix schenckii Sporotrichosis Salmon-pink conjunctival tumor Subconjunctival injection Immunosuppression |
| title | Atypical conjunctival sporotrichosis secondary to Mooren’s ulcer: a case report |
| title_full | Atypical conjunctival sporotrichosis secondary to Mooren’s ulcer: a case report |
| title_fullStr | Atypical conjunctival sporotrichosis secondary to Mooren’s ulcer: a case report |
| title_full_unstemmed | Atypical conjunctival sporotrichosis secondary to Mooren’s ulcer: a case report |
| title_short | Atypical conjunctival sporotrichosis secondary to Mooren’s ulcer: a case report |
| title_sort | atypical conjunctival sporotrichosis secondary to mooren s ulcer a case report |
| topic | Sporothrix schenckii Sporotrichosis Salmon-pink conjunctival tumor Subconjunctival injection Immunosuppression |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-10467-8 |
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