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Published on: January 27, 2015
[Endogenous Candida lens abscess in a premature infant]
Achim Fieß1, J Bauer2, C Schindel3
1Augenklinik des Klinikums Wiesbaden, Dr. Horst-Schmidt-Kliniken, Ludwig-Erhard-Straße 100, 65199, Wiesbaden, Deutschland. Achim.Fiess@hsk-wiesbaden.de.
Insights
This case report details a rare Candida lens abscess in a premature infant. Delayed abscess formation is possible in preterm infants due to pathogen dissemination, even after initial sepsis treatment.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Describes an extremely rare case of Candida lens abscess.
- Focuses on a premature infant born at 24 weeks gestational age.
- The infant had a history of successfully treated Candida sepsis.
Observation:
- Patient presented at 6 months with greyish pupillary alterations.
- Examination revealed a grey pupillary membrane and a swollen lens.
- A lensectomy was performed, and Candida albicans was identified.
Findings:
- Identified Candida albicans as the causative agent.
- Confirmed a delayed abscess formation within the lens.
- Demonstrated the possibility of pathogen dissemination into the lens.
Implications:
- Highlights the risk of delayed intraocular infections in preterm infants.
- Suggests that the lens may become inaccessible to systemic treatment after vascular regression.
- Emphasizes the need for vigilance in diagnosing and managing fungal endophthalmitis in neonates.
Background:
This case report describes an extremely rare Candida lens abscess in a premature infant (gestational age 24 weeks at birth).
Case Report:
After birth the infant suffered from Candida sepsis which was successfully treated with an antifungal medication. The patient was referred at the age of 6 months because of greyish alterations in the pupils but an absence of other symptoms. The examination with the patient under general anesthesia revealed a grey pupillary membrane and behind it a whitish swollen lens. A lensectomy was performed. The vitreous body was inconspicuous. Candida albicans was identified microbiologically.
Conclusions:
In preterm infants dissemination of pathogens into the lens through the vascular coat of the lens is possible, which after regression of the coat is no longer accessible to systemic treatment and may thus be manifested as delayed abscess formation.
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