Candida albicans endophthalmitis following penetrating keratoplasty: A case report

Endophthalmitis is one of the most serious complications of intraocular surgeries, and Candida albicans constitutes the majority of cases of post penetrating keratoplasty (PK) endophthalmitis. The presenting case is a 21-year-old woman with known case of advanced keratoconus and vernal keratoconjunctivitis who underwent PK, and developed recalcitrant anterior uveitis and subsequent whitish lesion on the superonasal of the lens. She was on topical steroids with possible impression of Uretts Zavalia syndrome versus phacoantigenic uveitis following traumatic cataract up to the 50th day of post operation that manifested symptoms of frank endophthalmitis; and underwent deep vitrectomy, lensectomy, localized iridectomy and irrigation with diluted Imipenem and Amphotericin-B. Microbiologic study of a vitreous sample revealed growth of Candida albicans, however optisol culture was negative and donor rim was not evaluated. One week later, intravitreal Amphotericin-B was administered. The patient remained aphakic with clear graft in the 6th month follow up. Due to great correlation of positive donor rim culture with fungal endophthalmitis and the devastating effect of delayed diagnosis, routine donor rim culture is recommended, to aid us in earlier diagnosis in the presence of nonspecific early signs of fungal endophthalmitis.