# Invasive Eye Infection Caused by Trichoderma Harzianum

## TL;DR

A healthy man in China developed a rare invasive eye infection caused by Trichoderma Harzianum after an injury.

## Contribution

This case report highlights Trichoderma Harzianum as a rare but possible cause of invasive eye infections in immunocompetent individuals.

## Key findings

- Trichoderma Harzianum was identified as the causative agent using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and metagenomic next-generation sequencing.
- The patient showed clinical improvement following antifungal therapy.
- The infection occurred in a previously healthy individual, indicating that immunocompromised status is not always required for such infections.

## Abstract

Trichoderma is a widely distributed thermophilic fungus that grows on moist soil, fallen leaves, and rotten wood. It plays an important role in agricultural production, food processing, and soil. However, some forms of Trichoderma can infect humans. Aggressive infections are more common in immunocompromised patients, with manifestations ranging from focal to disseminated infections. Here, we report a case of an invasive eye infection in China. The patient, a healthy 64-year-old man, was inadvertently struck by a puncture vine, injuring his eye and resulting in reduced visual acuity, lacrimation, and redness in the right eye. Upon admission, he was diagnosed with right eye perforation injury, right eye iris damage, right eye vitreous opacity, and right eye infection. After completion of the relevant auxiliary examinations, the diagnosis was confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and metagenomic next-generation sequencing, and the patient responded to antifungal therapy.