A rare case of Lecythophora endogenous endophthalmitis: Diagnostic and therapeutic challenge

ABSTRACT

Fungal endogenous endophthalmitis (EE) secondary to contaminated intravenous fluid infusion is frequently seen in developing countries. Molds and yeasts are commonly implicated as the causative agents. Dematiaceous fungi such as Lecythophora have been linked to exogenous endophthalmitis but have never been reported to cause EE. We report a case of Lecythophora EE that was successfully managed with pars plana vitrectomy along with intravitreal and systemic voriconazole. Endogenous endophthalmitis (EE) is a potentially devastating intraocular infection caused by intraocular spread of pathogens through blood stream. It generally accounts for 2%�% of all reported endophthalmitis cases.[1] Predisposing risk factors include diabetes mellitus, malignancies, intravenous drug use, organ abscess, immunosuppressive therapy, indwelling catheters, urinary tract infection, organ transplant, end-stage renal or liver disease, and endocarditis.[2] It may occur in patients with no overt signs of systemic infection, particularly in the setting of contaminated intravenous fluid infusion in a rural setting.[3] Among the three broad categories of pathogens responsible for EE-bacteria, yeast, and molds, cases caused by molds are most infrequent and have the worst outcomes.[4] While Candida and Aspergillus are the most common species among fungal causes of EE, Lecythophora has been rarely reported as a cause of endophthalmitis due to exogenous causes.[5],[6],[7],[8] We, herein, report a case of EE caused by Lecythophora species.