Candida Endophthalmitis

Abstract

With newer forms of therapy, such as the use of cytotoxic agents and immunosuppression, and with the placement for extended periods of time of long intravenous lines utilized for hyperalimentation and antibiotic administration, the incidence of isolations ofCandidaspecies from blood cultures has increased. Previous reports have emphasized the local and systemic complications of intravenous lines,^1-4the seriousness of candidemia,⁵and the relation of candidemia to antibiotic therapy.^6,7Recently, six patients with candidemia andCandidaendophthalmitis have been described.⁸All six had received antibiotics systemically and had indwelling intravenous catheters for prolonged periods of time. We describe two additional patients who had a similar complication of the use of systemic antibiotics and intravenous catheters. We emphasize the importance of prompt detection of the lesions and the early institution of therapy with amphotericin B. Both patients demonstrated marked improvement in conjunction with systemic antifungal therapy. Materials