Candida Lusitaniae Endophthalmitis: A Brief Literature Review with a Focus on Treatment Options

Abstract

Intraocular fungal infections are uncommon. They may originate either exogenously, as occurs with penetrating trauma and postoperative infections, or endogenously, through hematogenous spread. Patients at the highest risk of endogenous endophthalmitis are those with central venous catheters, total parenteral nutrition, and active intravenous drug use, as well as those who are immunosuppressed [1]. Candida species are the most common fungi identified from endogenous sources related to the above. Although the incidence of ocular involvement is unclear, a few studies provide a range of 2.2–16% in patients with candidemia [2,3]. Non-albicans species of candida infections are very rare. In particular, C. lusitaniae is found in only approximately 1% of patients with candida blood stream infections [4]. Treating candida ophthalmologic infections usually requires expertise of both ophthalmology and infectious diseases. Patients who have evidence of only chorioretinitis should be treated with systemic antifungal agents. Intravitreal injection in combination with systemic antifungals is recommended for patients with infections involving the macula or vitreous humor. Vitrectomy along with intravitreal injection and systemic antibiotic therapy is needed for patients with heavy vitritis [5]. The duration of treatment is decided on a case-by-case basis but typically consists of four to six weeks of systemic antifungal therapy.