Candida albicans is the most common cause of disseminated fungal disease in severely ill patients and in those who are immunocompromised, and who are hospitalized^1–3). Hematogenous fungal endophthalmitis usually has an insidious onset with a slow loss of vision due to choroiditis and/or retinitis that can spread to vitreous. Candida species are the most common cause of endogenous fungal endophthalmitis, and endogenous Candida endophthalmitis is an early clinical indicator of disseminated candidiasis^4–5). The increasing incidence of systemic candidiasis, high incidence of endogenous Candida endophthalmitis and devastating visual consequences emphasize the importance of ophthalmoscopic examinations in patients with suspected systemic candidiasis^6–8).

We report the first case of hematogenous Candida endophthalmitis in a patient of systemic candidiasis, after intravenous hyperalimentation via the femoral line, in our country.

A 34-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of dysphagia, ocular pain and blurred vision.

One month earlier, she swallowed acetic acid accidentally and corrosive esophagitis developed. She visited a hospital where a femoral line was inserted and intravenous hyperalimentation was started. Two weeks later, she had fever, chill, ocular pain and blurred vision. She was treated with several broad-spectrum antibiotics without improvement, and so she was referred to our hospital.

On admission to our hospital, she was acutely ill-looking and body temperature was 38.5°C. On laboratory examinations, hemoglobin was 9.3g/dl, hematocrit 26.2%, leukocyte 13,600/mm³ (neutrophil 84.7%, lymphocyte 5.2%, monocyte 6.8%, eosinophil 2.2% and basophil 1.1%) and platelet 216,000/mm³. Bacterial culture of blood, sputum and urine were negative. The fungus cultures of blood and femoral catheter tip were positive for Candida albicans. The ophthalmologic examination revealed visual acuity of 20/200 OD and 20/100 OS. Intraocular pressure OU was normal. The anterior chambers of both eyes were clear. The vitreous of both eyes was slightly hazy with some inflammatory cells. Fundus examination revealed white granulomatous mound on the macula of both eyes (Fig. 1).

Two weeks of intravenous fluconazole 200mg/day could neither control fever nor improve the visual acuity and general condition. So, we replaced the fluconazole with amphotericin B 20mg/day. After four weeks of treatment, fever was controlled and the general condition was improved, but improvement of visual acuity was not prominent. She was discharged with oral fluconazole 200mg/day for 2 weeks. Three months later after discharge, there was no further improvement of visual acuity and no interval change of previously noted fundal lesions.

To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of hematogenous candida endophthalmitis in a patient of candidemia in our country. The incidence of systemic candidiasis has increased in patients on intravenous hyperalimentation, hemodialysis and antibiotic therapy, in intravenous heroin abusers, in immunocompromised patients and after major surgery^1–3). Candida endophthalmitis is an important metastatic manifestation of disseminated candidiasis. In 1943, Maiale⁹⁾ reported the first case of hematogenous spread of candida to the eye, and it has been shown that, at least, 78% of patients with candida endophthalmitis have disseminated candidiasis, and that candida endophthalmitis is likely to occur in 28–45% of patients with candidemia⁴⁾.

The most common ocular symptoms of candida endophthalmitis are pain, photophobia and blurred vision. The earliest fundus lesion is a chorioretinitis which is presented as small yellow-white lesions. Extension of the infection and associated inflammatory response into the vitreous body produces the more typical lesions described as ‘puff balls’, which can be easily recognized on funduscopic examination^{6, 10)}. Although spontaneous resolution of candida endophthalmitis has been reported, in the absence of effective treatment, retinal necrosis and vitreal organization occur with tractional retinal detachment leading to phthisis bulbi with complete loss of visual function6,10). Early detection of such lesions by ophthalmologic examination is important for two main reasons. First, as candidial endophthalmitis has a strong association with disseminated candidiasis, systemic anti-fungal therapy needs to be instituted to prevent the high mortality associated with this condition. Second, prompt treatment of these early ocular lesions may avert the poor visual outcome^6–8). The presence of candida endophthalmitis is a good indicator of high mortality in seriously ill patients in intensive care units^{11, 12)}.

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is being used increasingly for surgical patients and medical devastating patients. Catheter-related candidemia is a well known complication in these patients, as like in our case³⁾.

All candidemic patients should receive antifungal therapy because of a high mortality rate and late complications of candidiasis^{1, 12, 13)}. However, there is no standardized approach to the management of hematogenous candida endophthalmitis. Although amphotericin B remains the first-line drug for the management of most invasive candidasis, the efficacy may be limited by relatively poor penetration into the vitreous humor and systemic side reactions^{7, 8, 15)}. Fluconazole has been reported to be effective, having high intraocular concentration and less toxicity, but further clinical experience is needed¹⁶⁾. Intraocular injection of amphotericin B, with or without vitrectomy, has been recommended in case of severe vitreitis¹⁷⁾.

In conclusion, it is reasonable that all patients with suspected systemic candidiasis should have fundus examination for early detection of Candida endophthalmitis and confirmative diagnosis of systemic candidiasis.