[Bilateral endogenous endophthalmitis]

Abstract

Background: The endogenous endophthalmitis is a septic-metastatic late complication of a generalized bacterial or fungal infection or an asymptomatic fungaemia. Aspergillus organisms are a rare cause of endophthalmitis. Aspergillus ocular manifestations have been mostly reported in connection with immunosuppression, severe diseases or drug abuse.

Patient and methods: A 51-year-old man underwent a kidney transplantation, an immunosuppressive therapy, and, in addition, treatments for some other generalized diseases. Endogenous endophthalmitis was diagnosed in both eyes at an interval of about eight weeks. The treatment included pars-plana-vitrectomy on both eyes.

Results: At first, an endogenous endophthalmitis was found in the right eye which was assumed to be induced by bacteria. About eight weeks later, however, an endogenous endophthalmitis was diagnosed in the left eye, also, which was caused by Aspergillus. The patient received an intensive medical care including operative, antibacterial and antimycotic treatments. The bacterial endophthalmitis in the right eye was healed, and the state of the left eye was found to be post-operatively stabilized. Unfortunately, the patient died of a septic shock in systemic Aspergillus infection.

Conclusion: Endogenous endophthalmitis has a very poor prognosis. To our knowledge, the described medical history seems to be the first reported case of an endophthalmitis on both sides, apparently caused by bacteria in one eye and by fungi in the other one.