Jie Jiang,1 Zhao Guo,2 Li Zhao1 

1Department of Clinical Laboratory, The People’s Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (Guangxi Academy of Medical Science), Nanning, Guangxi Autonomous Region, 530021, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Clinical Laboratory, Wu Zhou Gongren Hospital, Wuzhou, Guangxi Autonomous Region, 543000, People’s Republic of China

Correspondence: Li Zhao, Email ZHAOzhao88356@163.com

Abstract: Graphium basitruncatum (G. basitruncatum) has been rarely reported in human infections. In this study, a rare fungal keratitis case caused by G. basitruncatum in China was reported. Its microbiological and molecular characteristics were described. The strain was isolated from corneal of a 35-year-old male farm worker. Routine biochemical and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) methods failed to identify the pathogenic strain. Internal transcribed space (ITS) second-generation sequencing was performed. ITS sequence of the isolate showed 99.77% similarity with Graphium basitruncatum JCM 9300,which identified the strain as G. basitruncatum . The strain had physiological characteristics including strong adaptability (able to grow on various cultured medias) and thermal tolerance (able to grow at 42°C), which may prompt its environmental adaptability and potential for opportunistic human infection. The patient had a favorable outcome after receiving treatment. In conclusion, this case indicates that G. basitruncatum should be recognized as an emerging opportunistic pathogen that can cause human infections.

Keywords: keratitis, Graphium basitruncatum, antifungal susceptibility test