Abstract
Purpose: :
To report the fungal species isolated from ocular specimens in a large series of patients with exogenous fungal endophthalmitis.
Methods: :
Retrospective, single institution, consecutive case series. The microbiologic and medical records of all patients treated at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute between January 1, 1990, and June 30, 2010, for culture-proven exogenous fungal endophthalmitis were reviewed.
Results: :
Culture-positive exogenous fungal endophthalmitis occurred in 72 eyes, including 29 cases (40%) associated with fungal keratitis and 33 cases (46%) occurring after penetrating ocular trauma or intraocular surgery. Filamentous fungi (molds) accounted for 55 cases (76%), and Candida species (yeasts) accounted for 17 cases (24%). Although most keratitis cases were caused by Fusarium (19 of 29; 66%), open-globe cases were caused by a broader spectrum of fungi.
Conclusions: :
This report highlights the differences between the clinical categories of exogenous fungal endophthalmitis. Although 76% of all cases were caused by molds, most commonly Fusarium and Aspergillus, the most common fungal species varied by clinical category.
Keywords: fungal disease • vitreous • vitreoretinal surgery