Donor-to-host transmission of Candida glabrata to both recipients of corneal transplants from the same donor.
OBJECTIVE
To report 2 cases of exogenous Candida glabrata endophthalmitis after penetrating keratoplasty in recipients of corneas from the same donor transplanted on the same day.


METHODS
Case reports with ophthalmologic, electron microscopic, and microbiological findings including fungal strain analysis.


RESULTS
Two patients developed fungal keratitis and endophthalmitis caused by the same C. glabrata strain within 1 day after penetrating keratoplasty of corneas from the same donor on the same day. Donor-to-host transmission was postulated when eye bank sterility checks were repeatedly negative.


CONCLUSIONS
A short death-to-harvesting time, routine donor rim cultures, and respecting of a time interval before transplantation may provide an additional safety feature in dealing with corneal tissue from high-risk donors.
Tappeiner
Christoph
C
Department of Ophthalmology, Inselspital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. christoph.tappeiner@insel.ch
Goldblum
David
D
Zimmerli
Stefan
S
Fux
Christoph
C
Frueh
Beatrice E
BE
D000368:Aged; D041221:Candida glabrata; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000473:pathology / Q000635:transmission*; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015821:Eye Infections, Fungal / Q000473:pathology / Q000635:transmission*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D014019:Tissue Donors