Protracted Aspergillus versicolor endophthalmitis caused by corneal microperforation.
BACKGROUND
Here we describe the characterization of a protracted Aspergillus versicolor endophthalmitis caused by a corneal microperforation.


METHODS
A 58-year-old patient noticed blurred vision two weeks after he was hit in the eye by an old cable in a dilapidated house. A traumatic cataract and an intraocular inflammation were diagnosed and treated elsewhere with phacoemulsification and anti-inflammatory drugs. Vitreous samples were sterile. Despite topical steroids visual acuity continued to decrease and the patient presented in Lausanne 6 months later with a visual acuity of counting fingers, major inflammation of the anterior segment and a small corneal scar. Fundus examination revealed massive vitreous inflammation with a voluminous whitish chorioretinal infiltrate temporally.


RESULTS
Vitrectomy with dissection of a protuberant epiretinal filamentous tissue in the temporal fundus was performed, and Amikacine, Vancomycine and Amphothericine were injected intravitreally. Bacteriological work-up revealed Aspergillus versicolor. Visual acuity improved to 0.2 with topical steroids and oral antifungal drugs.


CONCLUSIONS
Corneal microperforations may cause a protracted endophthalmitis due to Aspergillus versicolor, a rare fungus, which is commonly found in insulation materials and cables in dilapidated houses.
Bifrare
Y-D
YD
Hopital Ophtalmique Jules Gonin, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Wolfensberger
T J
TJ
D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D001230:Aspergillus; D003315:Cornea / Q000382:microbiology; D065306:Corneal Injuries; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis