Use of multiple methods for genotyping Fusarium during an outbreak of contact lens associated fungal keratitis in Singapore

BACKGROUND In Singapore, an outbreak of fungal keratitis caused by members of the Fusarium solani species complex (FSSC) was identified in March 2005 to May 2006 involving 66 patients. Epidemiological investigations have indicated that improper contact lens wear and the use of specific contact lens solutions were risk factors. METHODS We assessed the genetic diversity of the isolates using AFLP, Rep-PCR, and ERIC-PCR and compared the usefulness of these typing schemes to characterize the isolates. RESULTS AFLP was the most discriminative typing scheme and appears to group FSSC from eye infections and from other infections differently. CONCLUSION There was a high genomic heterogeneity among the isolates confirming that this was not a point source outbreak.