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Endophthalmitis due to Sporothrix schenckii after penetrating ocular injury
C D Witherspoon1, F Kuhn, S D Owens
1Helen Keller Eye Research Foundation, Birmingham, AL 35233.
Abstract:
A 13-year-old boy developed endophthalmitis from traumatic inoculation of vegetable material penetrating his right eye. Sporothrix schenckii was morphologically identified from the intraocular fluids. However, repeated attempts to culture the organism proved negative. Seventeen sporotrical endophthalmitis cases have so far been reported, and before this report, only one of them was secondary to trauma. This is the sole eye to our knowledge not only to have escaped enucleation after sporotrical endophthalmitis but to have achieved useful (20/50) vision.
Insights
A traumatic eye injury led to Sporothrix schenckii endophthalmitis in a boy. His eye was saved and vision restored, a rare outcome for this fungal infection.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Endophthalmitis is a severe intraocular inflammation, often caused by infection.
- Sporothrix schenckii is a fungus known to cause sporotrichosis, a subcutaneous infection.
- Ocular involvement with Sporothrix schenckii is rare, particularly following trauma.
Observation:
- A 13-year-old boy presented with endophthalmitis after penetrating ocular trauma with vegetable matter.
- Morphological identification of Sporothrix schenckii was confirmed in intraocular fluids.
- Despite repeated attempts, fungal cultures for Sporothrix schenckii were negative.
Findings:
- This case represents the 18th reported instance of sporotrichal endophthalmitis.
- It is only the second case secondary to ocular trauma.
- The patient's affected eye avoided enucleation and achieved a visual acuity of 20/50.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for traumatic inoculation of Sporothrix schenckii leading to endophthalmitis.
- Successful visual recovery in this case suggests that aggressive management may prevent enucleation.
- Further research into the diagnosis and treatment of fungal endophthalmitis, especially in trauma cases, is warranted.