title: Endogenous Aspergillus endophthalmitis in an immunocompetent individual.
abstract: We present an unusual case of Aspergillus fumigatus endogenous endophthalmitis in a 27 year old Hispanic male with no history of ocular trauma, surgery, hematologic malignancy, compromised immune system, or intravenous drug use. The patient presented with a two-day history of pain, redness, and visual acuity of bare count fingers in his right eye. He was originally suspected of having toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis, but clinically worsened on systemic anti-toxoplasma medication and corticosteroids. He subsequently underwent pars plana vitrectomy and treatment with intravenous and intravitreal amphotericin B. Aspergillus fumigatus was isolated and identified in the vitreous aspirate. With aggressive medical and surgical management, he eventually regained visual acuity of 20/30 in his right eye. This case illustrates the occurrence of endogenous Aspergillus endophthalmitis in a patient with no history of intravenous drug use, ocular trauma, or compromised immune system, and successful outcome with combined medical and surgical management.
authors.affiliation: Doheny Eye Institute, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles 90033.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Valluri
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Moorthy
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Liggett
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Rao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D001232:Aspergillus fumigatus; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D015821:Eye Infections, Fungal / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D008297:Male; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D000666:Amphotericin B