Endophthalmitis due to Blastomyces dermatitidis. Case report and review of the literature

Blastomycosis very rarely affects ocular structures other than the eyelid. It is even more unusual for involvement to occur in the absence of active widespread disease. The authors report a 71-year-old woman with unresponsive endophthalmitis of the right eye who underwent enucleation. Results of microscopic examination of the globe showed severe acute and chronic granulomatous and nongranulomatous endophthalmitis as well as numerous fungi having the histologic features of Blastomyces dermatitidis. Although constitutional symptoms (weight loss, fatigue, night sweats) were noted by the patient, multiple investigations failed to disclose any evidence of systemic disease.