Endogenous fungal endophthalmitis following intensive corticosteroid therapy in severe COVID-19 disease.

Purpose: To report endogenous fungal endophthalmitis, postrecovery from severe COVID-19 infection in otherwise immunocompetent individuals, treated with prolonged systemic steroids. Methods: Retrospective chart review of cases with confirmed and presumed fungal endogenous endophthalmitis, following severe COVID-19 disease, treated at two tertiary care referral eye institutes in North India. Results: Seven eyes of five cases of endogenous fungal endophthalmitis were studied. All cases had been hospitalized for severe COVID-19 pneumonia and had received systemic steroid therapy for an average duration of 42 ± 25.1 days (range 18-80 days). All the cases initially complained of floaters with blurred vision after an average of 6 days (range 1-14 days) following discharge from hospital. They had all been misdiagnosed as noninfectious uveitis by their primary ophthalmologists. All eyes underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with intravitreal antifungal therapy. Five of the seven eyes grew fungus as the causative organism (Candida sp. in four eyes, Aspergillus sp. in one eye). Postoperatively, all eyes showed control of the infection with a marked reduction in vitreous exudates and improvement in vision. Conclusion: Floaters and blurred vision developed in patients after they recovered from severe COVID-19 infection. They had received prolonged corticosteroid treatment for COVID-19 as well as for suspected noninfectious uveitis. We diagnosed and treated them for endogenous fungal endophthalmitis. All eyes showed anatomical and functional improvement after PPV with antifungal therapy. It is important for ophthalmologists and physicians to be aware of this as prompt treatment could control the infection and salvage vision.

Microbiological profile and antibiotic susceptibility of scleral buckle infections in North India.

Purpose: The aim of this article to study causative organisms for scleral buckle (SB) infections in North India. Methods: A retrospective review of records was done for all patients who have undergone SB removal at our institute between January 2009 and December 2017. The records were analyzed for etiological agent of the infected buckle and its antibiotic sensitivity. Results: A total of 43 samples were analyzed and a positive culture was noted in 35 (81.40%) cases. The buckle infection rate at our institute was noted to be 2.53%. The commonest organism causing SB infections was Staphylococcus - 15 (42.6%) cases, followed by Pseudomonas - 6 (17.14%) cases and Fungi - 6 (17.14%) cases. The median interval between retinal detachment surgery and buckle explantation was 3 years. Conclusion: A large variety of organisms may cause SB infections. The commonest organism found to cause buckle infections in our study was Staphylococcus sp.

Nocardia infection following intraocular surgery: Report of seven cases from a tertiary eye hospital.

PURPOSE: To study the outcome of ocular nocardiosis following intraocular surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of medical records of all postoperative cases of culture proven Nocardia infection over a period of 3 years, from October 2010 to September 2013, was performed. Microbiological analysis was performed for all cases and included smears and cultures. Fortified 2% amikacin eye drops were the mainstay of treatment. Surgical intervention was performed in case of nonresponse to medical therapy or suspected endophthalmitis. RESULTS: Seven cases of culture proven Nocardia infection were seen. All cases had been operated in a hospital surgical facility. Six followed phacoemulsification, and one followed a secondary intraocular lens implantation. Four patients were part of a cluster infection. The mean duration between the primary surgical procedure and presentation was 16.14 ± 9.82 days. Five patients had infiltrates at the site of the surgical incision. One each had endophthalmitis and panophthalmitis. Six eyes required surgical intervention. Infection was seen to resolve in four eyes. Two eyes went into phthisis, and one was eviscerated. Only two of the six eyes, where in surgical intervention was performed early, obtained a final visual acuity of 20/60. CONCLUSION: Early surgical intervention, before the involvement of the anterior chamber, may help preserve the anatomic and functional integrity of the eye.

Ocular infection with Gliocladium species-report of a case.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to report a case of ocular infection with Gliocladium species due to an exposed scleral buckle. DESIGN: Interventional case report was used as the study design. METHODS: A 60-year-old diabetic male patient presented with persistent pain, redness, and discharge in his left eye since 2 months. He had been treated previously with both topical and systemic steroids for a diagnosis of autoimmune scleritis. He had undergone scleral buckling surgery with cryotherapy for an inferior rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in the past. His best-corrected visual acuity was 6/6, N6 and 6/6, N6 in the right and left eyes, respectively. Retraction of the left lower lid revealed an exposed scleral buckle with an overlying necrotic conjunctiva. Scleral buckle removal was done. Microbiological examination showed Gliocladium species growing on blood agar and Sabouraud dextrose agar. Treatment was started with topical antifungal medication and oral antibiotics. RESULTS: Following treatment, signs of infection showed resolution. Patient underwent retinal reattachment surgery with favorable anatomic and visual outcome. CONCLUSION: Ocular infection with Gliocladium species has not been previously reported. Poor response to steroids and uncontrolled diabetes should make the clinician aware of a possible fungal infection. Removal of the scleral buckle, identification of the causative organism, and use of appropriate antibiotics are important for the accurate management of the case.

Nocardia choroidal abscess-a Case report with Review of literature.

INTRODUCTION: Nocardia is a common cause of corneal infections but is a rare cause of choroidal abscess. We report a rare case of choroidal abscess, secondary to Nocardia and its management. CASE: We report a case of choroidal abscess secondary to Nocardia asteroides species in an immunocompetent young male diagnosed by culture positivity of vitreous biopsy. He was managed by oral trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole and intravitreal Amikacin injections. CONCLUSION: All the previous reported cases were found to be immunocompromised patients. However, our patient was immunocompetent and the confirmation of diagnosis was done by culture of vitreous biopsy in comparison to a retinochoroidal biopsy, in all other previous cases.

Clinical efficacy of oral and topical acyclovir in herpes simplex virus stromal necrotizing keratitis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of systemic and topical antiviral therapy in the treatment of active herpes simplex virus (HSV) necrotizing stromal keratitis (NSK). DESIGN: Prospective interventional case series. METHODOLOGY: Patients with a diagnosis of HSV NSK based on history and clinical findings were enrolled in the study. A standard protocol was used for microbiologic investigations. Ten weeks regime of systemic acyclovir and 2 weeks of topical acyclovir was given. Complete ophthalmic examination was performed at every visit. Outcome measures were a reduction in the area of infiltration and improvement in visual acuity. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were enrolled in the study. The mean age of presentation was 51.53 years. The duration of symptoms at presentation ranged from 2 to 8 weeks. HSV1 DNA polymerase chain reaction was positive in 70% cases of those tested. Area of infiltration at trial entry and at the end of 2 weeks of antiviral treatment reduced significantly (P = 0.007). All patients showed a complete resolution of keratitis at the end of study. CONCLUSION: Topical and systemic acyclovir for treatment of NSK facilitates healing of ulceration. Topical steroids after initial antiviral therapy are safe and decreases inflammation and improve visual recovery. Early initiation of therapy has better outcomes as compared to late presentations.