Intravitreal Voriconazole for the Treatment of Cryptococcus neoformans Endogenous Endophthalmitis.

Background: Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast that can cause fungemia and, in rare instances, lead to endogenous fungal endophthalmitis. No standard of care has been established to treat fungal endophthalmitis when systemic antifungal treatment fails to resolve the intraocular infection. Intravitreal voriconazole has been used for the treatment of fungal endophthalmitis caused by a broad range of fungal pathogens, and a limited number of reports have shown the efficacy of using intravitreal voriconazole for C neoformans endophthalmitis. We report a case of endogenous fungal endophthalmitis caused by C neoformans that was responsive to intravitreal voriconazole. Case Report: A previously healthy 57-year-old male diagnosed with primary neuroendocrine lung tumor developed endogenous endophthalmitis from C neoformans. The endophthalmitis was resistant to intravenous amphotericin B treatment but was responsive to intravenous fluconazole in one eye and was apparently more responsive to intravitreal voriconazole in the other eye. Conclusion: Intravitreal voriconazole should be considered for the treatment of cryptococcal endophthalmitis.

Highly Accelerated Onset of Hydroxychloroquine Macular Retinopathy.

BACKGROUND: Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ, Plaquenil) is often prescribed in lieu of other sulfate antimalarials to treat rheumatologic diseases because of its pharmacologic efficacy and few reported side effects. However, a known potential side effect of HCQ is retinal toxicity. CASE REPORT: A 61-year-old black female presented for screening of ophthalmic disease 2 months after initiation of HCQ for the treatment of polyarthralgia with a positive rheumatoid factor. At the time of the examination, she had taken a cumulative total of 19.8 g of HCQ and was found to have bilateral bull's-eye retinopathy. The patient had no known risk factors for HCQ toxicity. HCQ was discontinued, and the patient was prescribed ibuprofen for her polyarthralgia symptoms. The ophthalmic effects of HCQ toxicity were permanent. CONCLUSION: Known major risk factors for HCQ retinal toxicity include drug loads >300 mg/day (5 mg/kg/day), use for >5 years, a cumulative dose >1,000 g, underlying retinal disease or retinopathy, tamoxifen use, and renal disease. Despite not having any of these risk factors and having a reduced drug load during the treatment period, our patient developed the signs and symptoms of HCQ toxicity. This case suggests underlying mechanisms for HCQ toxicity other than those previously reported and a need for additional screening tests to prevent HCQ toxicity.

A 25-Year-Old Man with Exudative Retinal Detachments and Infiltrates without Hematological or Neurological Findings Found to Have Relapsed Precursor T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Precursor T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (pre-T-ALL) may cause ocular pathologies such as cotton-wool spots, retinal hemorrhage, and less commonly, retinal detachment or leukemic infiltration of the retina itself. However, these findings are typically accompanied by the pathognomonic hematological signs of acute leukemia. CASE PRESENTATION: In this case report and review of the literature, we describe a particularly unusual case of a 25-year-old man who presented to our hospital with bilateral exudative retinal detachments associated with posterior pole thickening without any hematological or neurological findings. The patient, who had a history of previously treated pre-T-ALL in complete remission, was found to have leukemia cell infiltration on retinal biopsy. CONCLUSION: Our case underscores the fact that the ophthalmologist may be the first provider to detect the relapse of previously treated leukemia, and that ophthalmic evaluation is critical for detecting malignant ocular infiltrates.