Fungal keratitis caused by Corynespora cassiicola, a plant pathogen

A 74-year-old man presented with pain and progressively worsening vision from 20 days ago in the left eye. His ophthalmological history was significant for cataract extraction, scleromalacia, and three surgeries for pterygium removal in the left eye. Slit-lamp examination was remarkable for a 4.5×4.0 mm sized epithelial defect, with corneal stromal infiltration and melting and a surrounding feathery margin. Corneal scraping was performed, and culture of specimen demonstrated mold that grew on Sabouraud dextrose agar. The isolate was finally identified as Corynespora cassiicola based on DNA sequencing analysis of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) with maximum identity of 100%. The patient was treated successfully with intracameral amphotericin B injection and topical voriconazole and amphotericin B. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of mycotic keratitis caused by a plant pathogen, Corynespora cassiicola, in Korea.