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.

HISTORY AND SIGNS: 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.

THERAPY AND OUTCOME: 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.