Ocular aspergillosis isolated in the anterior chamber.

BACKGROUND

In all cases in which ocular involvement has been reported in endogenous aspergillosis, the posterior segment of the eye was involved.

METHODS

The authors examined a patient who had been intubated and treated with corticosteroid therapy for status asthmaticus and in whom a mass later developed in the anterior chamber of the right eye.

RESULTS

Computed tomography showed a solitary lesion in the left lower pulmonary lobe and multiple brain lesions that enhanced with contrast. Aspergillus fumigatus was cultured from the endotracheal tube. However, ocular and blood cultures were negative, as were the results of a bone marrow biopsy, lung biopsy, and anterior chamber paracentesis. Disseminated aspergillosis was confirmed when a biopsy of the anterior chamber mass was performed, and results of histopathologic examination showed the presence of hyphae. The patient responded to a regimen of antifungal drugs.

CONCLUSION

This is the first known reported case in which the diagnosis of disseminated aspergillosis was confirmed with biopsy of an anterior chamber mass. This case demonstrates that Aspergillus organisms may disseminate to the anterior chamber of the eye without involving the posterior segment.