Intraocular Candidiasis in Babies with Candida Sepsis

ABSTRACT

Systemic candidiasis is a life-threatening disease in premature infants and may result in several complications. Early recognition is essential, but it is delayed and treatment is difficult. Candida endophthalmitis develop with systemic infection and intraocular involvement is detected by fundus examination with an indirect ophthalmoscope. Improvement of intraocular lesion and therapeutic effect of systemic candidiasis are detected with careful retinal examination. Twenty five premature infants received indirect ophthalmoscopic examination and we investigated the prevalence of intraocular involvements and related factors for eye involvement. The ocular findings were classified chorioretinitis, endophthalmitis and nonspecific lesion, except premature vitreous haziness. Chorioretinitis in 4 infants and nonspecific lesion in 3 infants were detected but endophthalmitis was not found. There was slight difference in each group for gestational age, birth weight and ventilator etc, but no signifficant statistical difference was noted. Systemic candidiasis was treated with systemic antifungal agent, and the chorioretinitis is resolved with systemic antifungal agents. We propose that retinal examination be performed on all infants suspected of having systemic candidiasis for the diagnosis and early treatment. Funduscopy may be a helpful as an early diagnostic tool, and to monitor appropriate therapy of systemic candidiasis.