Pythium corneal ulcer: Cases report

Skowrat Kunavisarut, M.D.
Kittipong Prawinwongwuth, M.D.
Rungroj Lerdvitayasakul, M.D.
Boonmee Sathapatayavong, M.D.
Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University,

ABSTRACT Pythium corneal ulcer in three farmers were reported. Mode of infection was thought to be due to zoospore-contaminated water in the paddy field accidentally splashed into the eyes. Pythium is well known to cause diseases in plants, fishes and mammals. Human infection is rare and pythium corneal ulcer has not been reported.

There were some problems in identification of organism by smear and culture. Various medications were found to be unsatisfactory. All patients did not respond to ordinary antifungal therapy and saturated solution of potassium iodide, and eventually lost their eyes.

Thai J Ophthalmol 1988; 2 (2):70-73.