Locality is the strongest predictor of expert performance in image-based differentiation of bacterial and fungal corneal ulcers from India.

PURPOSE: This study sought to identify the sources of differential performance and misclassification error among local (Indian) and external (non-Indian) corneal specialists in identifying bacterial and fungal keratitis based on corneal photography. METHODS: This study is a secondary analysis of survey data assessing the ability of corneal specialists to identify acute bacterial versus fungal keratitis by using corneal photography. One-hundred images of 100 eyes from 100 patients with acute bacterial or fungal keratitis in South India were previously presented to an international cohort of cornea specialists for interpretation over the span of April to July 2021. Each expert provided a predicted probability that the ulcer was either bacterial or fungal. Using these data, we performed multivariable linear regression to identify factors predictive of expert performance, accounting for primary practice location and surrogate measures to infer local fungal ulcer prevalence, including locality, latitude, and dew point. In addition, Brier score decomposition was used to determine experts' reliability ("calibration") and resolution ("boldness") and were compared between local (Indian) and external (non-Indian) experts. RESULTS: Sixty-six experts from 16 countries participated. Indian practice location was the only independently significant predictor of performance in multivariable linear regression. Resolution among Indian experts was significantly better (0.08) than among non-Indian experts (0.01; P < 0.001), indicating greater confidence in their predictions. There was no significant difference in reliability between the two groups ( P = 0.40). CONCLUSION: Local cornea experts outperformed their international counterparts independent of regional variability in tropical risk factors for fungal keratitis. This may be explained by regional characteristics of infectious ulcers with which local corneal specialists are familiar.

Endogenous fungal endophthalmitis following COVID-19 infection with microbiological and molecular biological correlation - A report of two cases.

This case report describes three eyes of two patients, who were diagnosed to have endogenous fungal endophthalmitis post coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Both patients underwent vitrectomy with intravitreal anti-fungal injection. Intra-ocular samples confirmed the fungal etiology by conventional microbiological investigations and polymerase chain reaction in both cases. The patients were treated with multiple intravitreal and oral anti-fungal agents; however, vision could not be salvaged.

Prevalence of Ocular Candidiasis and Candida Endophthalmitis in Patients With Candidemia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Infectious diseases and ophthalmology professional societies have disagreed regarding ocular screening in patients with candidemia. We aimed to summarize the current evidence on the prevalence of ocular candidiasis (OC) and Candida endophthalmitis (CE) according to the standardized definitions. METHODS: A literature search was conducted from the inception date through 16 October 2022 using PubMed, Embase, and SCOPUS. Pooled prevalence of ocular complications was derived from generalized linear mixed models (PROSPERO CRD42022326610). RESULTS: A total of 70 and 35 studies were included in the meta-analysis for OC and concordant CE (chorioretinitis with vitreous involvement), respectively. This study represented 8599 patients with candidemia who underwent ophthalmologic examination. Pooled prevalences (95% CI) of OC, overall CE, concordant CE, and discordant CE were 10.7% (8.4-13.5%), 3.1% (2.1-4.5%), 1.8% (1.3-2.6%), and 7.4% (4.5-12%) of patients screened, respectively. Studies from Asian countries had significantly higher concordant CE prevalence (95% CI) of patients screened (3.6%; 2.9-4.6%) compared with studies from European countries (1.4%; .4-5%) and American countries (1.4%; .9-2.2%) (P <.01). Presence of total parenteral nutrition and Candida albicans was associated with CE, with pooled odds ratios (95% CI) of 6.92 (3.58-13.36) and 3.02 (1.67-5.46), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of concordant CE overall and among Asian countries was 2 and 4 times higher than the prevalence previously reported by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) of <0.9%, respectively. There is an urgent need to study optimal screening protocols and to establish joint recommendations by the Infectious Diseases Society of America and AAO.

Fungal Infectious Interface Keratitis Presenting 2 Years After Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe infectious interface keratitis after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) more than 2 years after surgery. METHODS: A case study. RESULTS: In this study, we report a case of fungal infectious interface keratitis occurring 2 years after uncomplicated Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty. The donor corneal rim culture at the time of surgery grew a single colony of Candida albicans/dubliniensis , but the patient was not treated with antifungals at that time. At the onset of clinical infection, more than 2 years postoperatively, the patient was treated with systemic antifungals and adjuvant intrastromal amphotericin-B injection. The patient subsequently required penetrating keratoplasty with ultimately well-preserved visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS: Fungal infectious interface keratitis (IIK) is a rare complication associated with lamellar keratoplasty. Although most common in the early postoperative period, this complication can occur several years after successful transplantation. Management may require a combination of systemic and stromal antifungal therapy. However, some patients may eventually require penetrating keratoplasty for definitive treatment.

Infectious interface keratitis after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical course and management of infectious interface keratitis after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty. METHODS: A total of 352 cases that had undergone Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with infectious interface keratitis during follow-up were analyzed. The microbiological analyses, time to infection onset, clinical findings, follow-up duration, treatment, and post-treatment corrected distance visual acuity were recorded. RESULTS: IIK was detected in eight eyes of eight cases. Three fungal and three bacterial pathogens were identified in all cases. All patients received medical treatment according to culture sensitivity. Antifungal treatment was initiated in two cases with no growth on culture, with a preliminary diagnosis of fungal interface keratitis. Intrastromal antifungal injections were performed in all patients with fungal infections. The median time to infection onset was 164 days (range: 2-282 days). The postoperative infectious interface keratitis developed in the early period in two cases. The mean follow-up duration was 13.4 ± 6.2 months (range: 6-26 months). Re-Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty was performed in two patients (25%) and therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty in four patients (50%) who did not recover with medical treatment. The final corrected distance visual acuity was 20/40 or better in five patients (62.5%). CONCLUSION: The diagnosis and treatment of infectious interface keratitis following Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty are challenging. Early surgical intervention should be preferred in the absence of response to medical treatment. Better graft survival and visual acuity can be achieved with therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty and re-Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty in patients with infectious interface keratitis.

Fungal Necrotizing Scleritis After Intravitreal Injection Therapy.

PURPOSE: To report a case of infectious necrotizing scleritis secondary to Aspergillus terreus after intravitreal injection therapy. METHODS: This is a case report with literature review. RESULTS: A 98-year-old woman receiving intravitreal aflibercept injections for neovascular age-related macular degeneration in the left eye presented with severe pain, redness, and purulent discharge at the injection site. She was initially treated with topical fortified antibiotics, and clinical improvement was achieved, although microbial cultures showed negative results. Two months later, she presented with severe ocular pain and was diagnosed with anterior necrotizing scleritis. Scleral scrapings were collected for cultures, and intensive topical antibiotic therapy was reintroduced. Evaluation for autoimmune etiology and microbiological testing showed negative results. Because of the progression of the scleral necrotic area, empirical therapy with topical voriconazole was initiated, and surgical debridement was performed. Finally, the culture was positive for A. terreus. The modified therapy consisted of topical voriconazole and oral voriconazole for 3 months with an excellent clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first case of fungal necrotizing scleritis secondary to intravitreal injection. Diagnosis was delayed due to its chronic clinical course and the slow fungal growth in culture media, but the combined medical and surgical approach resulted in a satisfactory outcome.

Results From the German Fungal Keratitis Registry: Significant Differences Between Cases With and Without a History of Contact Lens Use.

PURPOSE: Fungal keratitis (FK) is a serious ophthalmic disease with a potentially devastating outcome that seems to be increasing in recent years. The use of contact lenses (CLs) was evaluated as a risk factor for FK to determine possible differences in course and outcome. METHODS: Data from 173 cases reported in the German FK registry until August 2019 were evaluated regarding CL behavior, other ophthalmological and general risk factors, age, sex, identified pathogens, conservative and surgical therapy, visual acuity, and findings at admission and follow-up. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-four eyes from 173 patients between 2000 and 2019 were included [64.4% women, median age 54 (39; 72) years]; 49.7% wore CL, of which 81.3% were soft CL, and 50.3% had no history of contact lens use (NCL). CL users were significantly more often women and otherwise healthy (CL: 80.2% vs. NCL: 48.9%; P < 0.0001). The spectrum of pathogens among CL users showed a significantly higher proportion of infections with filamentous pathogens, in particular Fusarium sp. (total filament: CL 69.8% vs. NCL 27.3%; P = 0.0001; Fusarium sp.: CL 50.0% vs. NCL 14.8%; P < 0.0001). Overall, 54.6% required keratoplasty and 8.6% enucleation. CONCLUSIONS: CLS are the most important risk factor for FK in Germany. With CLs, typically, the infection is caused by molds, and patients are comparably younger and otherwise healthy. Often, extensive surgery is needed. To evaluate changes in the pathogen and resistance spectrum and to further monitor possible CL-related risk factors, a consistent collection of data remains paramount.

COVID-19 associated rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis: An observational study from Eastern India, with special emphasis on neurological spectrum.

AIMS: 1: Describe the epidemiology and determine risk factors for COVID-19 associated mucormycosis. 2: Elaborate the clinical spectrum of Rhino-Orbital-Cerebral Mucormycosis (ROCM), pattern of neuroaxis involvement and it's radiological correlates. METHODS: Observational study. Consecutive, confirmed cases of mucormycosis (N = 55) were included. A case of mucormycosis was defined as one who had clinical and radiological features consistent with mucormycosis along with demonstration of the fungus in tissue via KOH mount/culture/histopathological examination (HPE). Data pertaining to epidemiology, risk factors, clinico-radiological features were analysed using percentage of total cases. RESULTS: Middle aged, diabetic males with recent COVID-19 infection were most affected. New onset upper jaw toothache was a striking observation in several cases. Among neurological manifestations headache, proptosis, vision loss, extraocular movement restriction; cavernous sinus, meningeal and parenchymal involvement were common. Stroke in ROCM followed a definitive pattern with watershed infarction. CONCLUSIONS: New onset upper jaw toothache and loosening of teeth should prompt an immediate search for mucormycosis in backdrop of diabetic patients with recent COVID-19 disease, aiding earlier diagnosis and treatment initiation. Neuroaxis involvement was characterized by a multitude of features pertaining to involvement of optic nerve, extraocular muscles, meninges, brain parenchyma and internal carotid artery.

Endogenous Endophthalmitis A Complication of COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Series.

PURPOSE: To report six patients with endogenous endophthalmitis as a complication of COVID-19 infection. METHODS: A multicentric retrospective database review of patients with a diagnosis of endogenous endophthalmitis and a history of COVID-19 infection. RESULTS: Four of six patients were diabetics. All presented after an average duration of 40 days (Range 17-90 days) of COVID-19 infection. Two of six patients had bilateral involvement. Five of six patients had received intravenous corticosteroid for COVID-19. Two of six vitreous samples showed fungi (Candida and Bipolaris species), two showed bacteria (Staphylococcus species) and two samples were culture negative. Control of infection with good visual outcome in four out of eight eyes. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 patients with a history of hospitalization and prolonged use of systemic corticosteroids and comorbidities, for example, diabetes mellitus have a high risk of endogenous endophthalmitis. A high index of clinical suspicion with timely intervention can salvage many eyes.

[Fungal keratitis associated with the use of contact lenses (clinical case)]. / Gribkovyi keratit, assotsiirovannyi s kontaktnoi korrektsiei (klinicheskoe nablyudenie).

Currently, the number of keratomycoses and the interest of ophthalmologists to this type of keratitis have significantly increased due to the severity of the disease and non-satisfactory outcomes in some cases. According to published data, perforation of the cornea develops 6 times more often after keratomycosis than after keratitis of another etiology. The outcomes of keratoplasty in these patients are also not always satisfactory. The article presents a relatively rare clinical case of keratomycosis in a teenager caused by Arthrographis kalrae. The description of diseases caused by this microorganism is rarely found in literature. We have found only 4 cases describing keratomycosis caused by A. kalrae. The case presented here is associated with the use of contact lenses. The microorganism was identified from a container with contact lenses. Fungicidal drugs such as Anidulafungin, Voriconazole, as well as topical and systemical Amphotericin B were used in the treatment. The patient was discharged with a good functional result (best-corrected visual acuity of 0.7). This case indicates the possibility of a positive functional outcome in treating keratomycosis with present-day means.

Queratoplastia penetrante temprana después de queratitis fúngica de la interface en la queratoplastia endotelial de la membrana de Descemet / Early Penetrating Keratoplasty after interface fungal keratitis in Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty

Este caso clínico describe el primer caso publicado de queratitis fúngica de la interfaz (QI) de inicio temprano después de una queratoplastia endotelial de la membrana de Descemet (DMEK) tratada satisfactoriamente con queratoplastia penetrante (QP) durante la etapa activa de la infección. Un paciente con fracaso de injerto después de una queratoplastia endotelial automatizada con pelado de Descemet (DSAEK) fue intervenido con DMEK. El cultivo y el medio de cultivo del donante dieron positivo para Candida albicans. Se confirmaron y localizaron varios infiltrados de la interface utilizando tomografía de coherencia óptica de segmento anterior. Tres días después del diagnóstico, observándose signos claros de infección intraocular, se retiró el injerto con lavado simultáneo de cámara anterior con fluconazol al 1% seguido de una QP e inyecciones corneales intraestromales de fluconazol. Se consiguió una mejor agudeza visual corregida de 20/20. Este caso resalta la importancia de analizar cada pieza y medio de cultivo de donantes a pesar de que el paciente no exhiba síntomas o signos durante el periodo posoperatorio. La QP es una opción de tratamiento viable para la queratitis de interface de inicio temprano

In this case-report we describe the first reported case of early-onset fungal interface keratitis (IK) after Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) successfully treated with penetrating keratoplasty (PK) during the active stage of infection. A patient with graft failure after Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK) was operated on with DMEK. Donor rim culture and broth were positive for Candida albicans. Several interface infiltrates were confirmed and localized using anterior segment optical coherence tomography. Three days after diagnosis, observing clear signs of intraocular infection, the graft was removed with simultaneous washed-up of anterior chamber with fluconazole 1% followed by a PK and intrastromal corneal injections of fluconazole. A best-corrected visual acuity of 20/20 was achieved. This case highlights the importance of analysing every donor rim and broth, despite the patient doesn't show any symptoms or signs during the post-operative period. PK is a viable treatment option in early-onset interface keratitis

Fungal Endogenous Endophthalmitis during Pregnancy as a Complication of In-Vitro Fertilization.

Purpose: To report a Candida endogenous endophthalmitis in a pregnant woman with a prior history of in-vitro fertilization (IVF).Methods: Case report.Results: 21-year-old healthy woman within the first trimester of her pregnancy of a successful IVF developed a focal retinitis and panuveitis. Ocular findings suggested fungal endophthalmitis. The patient was treated with pars plana vitrectomy and repeated intravitreal antifungal injections. No systemic therapy was given. Cultures showed Candida albicans. IVF procedure was the only identifiable risk factor for endogenous endophthalmitis.Conclusions: In-vitro fertilization appeared as a possible risk factor for endogenous endophthalmitis during pregnancy. In the absence of systemic fungal infection, local intravitreal antifungal injections seem to be effective options to treat endogenous candida endophthalmitis, especially in the first trimester.

A systematic review of orbital apex syndrome of odontogenic origin: Proposed algorithm for treatment.

Orbital apex syndrome (OAS) can be a rare, but severe complication of an odontogenic infection and has high morbidity and mortality. Antibacterial drugs are typically an appropriate treatment choice, but the most severe cases are fungal in nature and pose a tough challenge to the clinician. The aim of this study was to determine the predisposing factors, specific aspects in its management and the appropriate treatment strategy in order to improve patient outcome. A systematic review was conducted using PubMed, PubMed Central, Web of Science, and Scopus up to February 2020, based on the associations between dental extraction or infections and OAS. Of 721 papers found, 18 articles were considered eligible and presented in total 21 cases (13 fungal and eight bacterial infections). The information was organized into a diagnostic and treatment algorithm which included data extracted both from the included cases and updated literature of treatment efficacy studies. Immunosuppression (uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and chemotherapy) was found as an important predisposing factor particularly for fungal infections. In these cases, we suggest that early simultaneous approaches, including aggressive surgical procedures and systemic administration of amphotericin B, result in a better outcome. In conclusion, medical intervention success depends on aggressive treatment and multidisciplinary teamwork.

Infectious keratitis after lamellar keratoplasty.

Infectious keratitis after lamellar keratoplasty is a potentially devastating complication that may severely limit the visual and anatomical outcomes. The deep-seated location of the infiltrates, sequestration of the pathogenic microorganisms and limited penetration of the currently available antimicrobial agents often results in delayed diagnosis that may jeopardize the management in these cases. Fungal keratitis is more common as compared with bacterial or viral keratitis and classically presents as white interface infiltrates that may not be associated with significant inflammation. Confocal microscopy may help to establish a rapid diagnosis in such cases, and anterior segment optical coherence tomography may be used to determine the extent of infection and monitor its progression. Conservative measures such as topical antimicrobials and interface irrigation with antimicrobial agents may be done. Surgical intervention in the form of partial excision/removal of the graft in endothelial keratoplasty or a full-thickness keratoplasty is often required for the effective management of deep-seated infections. Timely diagnosis and intervention may result in complete resolution of infection in both anterior lamellar and endothelial keratoplasty. Infections after anterior lamellar keratoplasty have a fair prognosis, and a clear graft with functional visual acuity may be achieved in most cases. By contrast, infections after endothelial keratoplasty have a guarded prognosis, and the presence of concomitant endophthalmitis may further complicate the graft survival and visual outcomes.

Exophiala lecanii-corni keratitis presenting as a serpiginous pigmented superficial lesion: a case report.

RATIONALE: Patients with bullous keratopathy (BK) treated by Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) have a compromised cornea, due to the administration of topical steroid, postsurgical use of contact lenses, and impaired barrier function of the corneal epithelium by BK. We report a case of Exophiala lecanii-corni (E lecanii-corni) keratitis presenting as a serpiginous pigmented superficial lesion after DSAEK. PATIENT CONCERNS: An 81-year-old woman who had undergone cataract surgeries, suffered from decreased vision in the left eye. She was diagnosed BK and she underwent DSAEK. Two months after DSAEK, a pigmented superficial lesion developed on the left cornea. The lesion migrated and recurred repeatedly and she was referred to our department. Best corrected vision was 20/220. DIAGNOSES: Light microscopy of a corneal scraping revealed branching fungal hyphae. Fungal culture showed growth of a black colony, identified as E lecanii-corni by ribosomal DNA sequencing. INTERVENTIONS: We started topical treatment with 1% voriconazole and 1.5% levofloxacin. Antifungal susceptibility testing showed that the minimum inhibitory concentration of voriconazole was 0.06 µg/mL. OUTCOMES: The lesion scarred after treatment for 3 months, and left best corrected vision improved to 20/40. LESSONS: Genus Exophiala is known as 1 of the "black molds" and a cause of chromomycosis. This is the first description of E lecanii-corni keratitis, and pigmented corneal epithelial lesions may be characteristic of this fungal genus.

Fungal Keratitis, or Misled by a Small Insect?

The pine processionary caterpillar is an insect that has multiple small, thin hairs around its body as a defense mechanism. These hairs have a hazardous effect on ocular structures and cause a broad range of reactions from conjunctivitis to endophthalmitis, referred to as ophthalmia nodosa. The diagnosis of the disease is based on the patient's history and the detection of the hairs on ocular structures. In this report, we present a patient with ophthalmia nodosa misdiagnosed as fungal keratitis, and the actual diagnosis was made by in vivo confocal microscopy. We also would like to increase awareness among ophthalmologists about the disease which has a growing distribution area due to climate change.

Fungi and paper-based archives. A case report of fungal keratitis in a documentalist. / Hongos y archivos de papel. Caso clínico sobre queratitis fúngica en una paciente documentalista.

A description of a case is presented on a relationship between paper-based documents as a risk factor for fungal keratitis. A 32-year-old woman, a long-term contact lens user, presented with fungal keratitis in her right eye caused by Fusarium spp. while working with books and old documents as a librarian. Her visual acuity was hand motion in the right eye. She was satisfactorily treated with topical antifungal and antibiotic agents.

Endophthalmitis in HIV Infection.

Purpose: The role of HIV infection in exogenous and endogenous endophthalmitis has not been clarified. We aim to assess the potential role of HIV as a risk factor or a poor prognostic feature in this sight-threatening condition. Methods: Literature review. Review of evidence: Evidence for endophthalmitis in HIV patients is based on scarce retrospective case series and case reports. Infrequency of literature on this topic is owed to the diversity of the different types of endophthalmitis as well as the rarity of the coexistence of the two conditions. Conclusions: Endophthalmitis in HIV patients are a rare but potentially devastating condition. Many forms of endophthalmitis tend to occur in severely immunosuppressed HIV patients with low CD4 counts. Therefore, the early introduction of cART with full immune reconstitution is an essential part of the prevention of endophthalmitis in the HIV population.