Ocular lesions in disseminated candidiasis

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Infectious Diseases
• Critical Care Medicine

Background:

• Disseminated candidiasis is a serious systemic infection often seen in intensive care units.
• Ocular involvement in disseminated candidiasis can be a marker for systemic disease but is often underdiagnosed.
• Early detection of ocular manifestations may improve patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the frequency and types of eye abnormalities in patients with disseminated candidiasis.
• To evaluate the role of ocular examination in the diagnosis of candidemia in critically ill patients.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective case review of intensive care unit admissions.
• Analysis of patients with septicemia and confirmed or suspected candidemia.
• Ocular examinations performed as part of initial patient assessment were reviewed.

Main Results:

• Ocular lesions were identified in 50% of the 12 patients diagnosed with candida-induced sepsis.
• Chorioretinitis was the most common finding (6 patients), followed by Roth spots (1 patient).
• No cases of vitritis or endophthalmitis were observed; immunosuppression was noted in half of the patients with ocular findings.

Conclusions:

• Ocular examination is valuable for the early diagnosis of disseminated candidiasis.
• Prompt ophthalmic assessment in suspected candidemia can lead to earlier antifungal therapy.
• Early intervention may decrease both ocular and overall patient morbidity.