Ocular and sinus microsporidial infection cured with systemic albendazole

PURPOSE: To report treatment of a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and ocular and paranasal sinus microsporidial infection. METHOD: Case report. RESULTS: A patient with AIDS and ocular microsporidial infection experienced resolution of ocular symptoms with topical fumagillin, but symptoms recurred upon cessation of therapy. Paranasal sinus microsporidial infection was diagnosed. The patient received sequential systemic treatment with itraconazole followed by albendazole. Sinus symptoms resolved with albendazole. He remained symptom-free with a normal examination 17 months after concluding therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Although fumagillin and itraconazole may have played a role, systemic albendazole appears to be responsible for clinical resolution of microsporidial infection.