Intravitreal Voriconazole for the Treatment of Cryptococcus neoformans Endogenous Endophthalmitis

Clinical features, treatment and prognosis of patients with endogenous infectious endophthalmitis

PURPOSE

To investigate whether the clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis of endogenous infectious endophthalmitis (EIE) have changed over the past 5 years.

METHODS

Retrospectively analyze all articles about EIE published in the PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases from 2017 to 2021.

RESULTS

A total of 128 patients and 147 eyes (46 left and 60 right) were included in the study. The mean age at diagnosis was 51 ± 19 years. The most common risk factors were diabetes and intravenous drug use. From 2017 to 2021, Klebsiella was the most common pathogenic microorganism (22%), and vitreous culture had the highest positivity rate. The most common complaint was blurred vision. The mean visual acuity (logMAR) at onset was 2.84, and the clinical symptoms were vitreal inflammation and opacity (63%), ocular pain (37%), and conjunctival congestion (36%). The ocular inflammation could be reduced by intraocular antibiotics or vitrectomy. However, the visual prognosis, with a mean logMAR of 2.73; only 50% of the eyes reached a visual acuity level of finger count and above. Changes in diagnostics over the past 5 years have mainly manifested as more diverse microorganism culture methods. In addition to conventional culture methods, PCR, sputum culture and aqueous humour culture are also commonly used for the diagnosis of pathogenic bacteria, improving the positive culture rate and visual prognosis.

CONCLUSION

The prognosis of EIE is poor. It is recommended to pay attention to the pathogenic bacteria culture results and accompanying systemic diseases and to diagnose and treat patients as soon as possible.

Cryptococcal endophthalmitis complicated by immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in a renal transplant recipient: A case report and review of the literature

A 59 year old male renal transplant recipient developed endogenous cryptococcal endophthalmitis which was complicated by immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS). Herein we report a novel diagnostic test using lateral flow assay, the management of cryptococcal endophthalmitis and the novel complication of intraocular IRIS in a solid organ transplant recipient.

Exogenous cryptococcal endophthalmitis in an immunocompetent patient

We describe a case of exogenous cryptococcal endophthalmitis without central nervous system (CNS) involvement or systemic infection in an immunocompetent patient. An 82-year-old male with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and primary open-angle glaucoma with a history of left eye trabeculectomy presented with 3 months of worsening left eye pain and redness. Vitreous cultures resulted as Cryptococcus, prompting treatment with intravitreal amphotericin and further investigation. Systemic workup was unrevealing for an endogenous source, CNS involvement, or immunocompromising conditions. He was treated with an aggressive regimen of systemic antifungals, leading to subjective improvements in clinical exam and in vision.

Complications of intravitreal injections: 2022

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review highlights the complications of both intravitreal injection procedure as well as different intravitreal medications including antivascular endothelial growth factors, antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, methotrexate, and steroids. Techniques for reducing rates of endophthalmitis will also be discussed.

RECENT FINDINGS

Intravitreal vancomycin can cause hemorrhagic occlusive retinal vasculitis resulting in severe vision loss. Intravitreal brolucizumab is associated with intraocular inflammation and retinal vasculitis resulting in significant vision loss. Face mask use by both patient and physician is not associated with increased risk of endophthalmitis and may decrease culture positive endophthalmitis.

SUMMARY

Intravitreal injections continue to be one of the most commonly performed procedures by ophthalmologists. Although the injections are generally well tolerated, sight-threatening complications can occur including endophthalmitis, retinal detachment, and/or retinal vasculitis. Adverse events associated with specific medications are outlined below. Several safety measures have been shown to reduce rates of endophthalmitis, the most concerning complication of this procedure.

Conventional Antifungals for Invasive Infections Delivered by Unconventional Methods; Aerosols, Irrigants, Directed Injections and Impregnated Cement

The administration of approved antifungals via unapproved formulations or administration routes (such as aerosol, direct injection, irrigation, topical formulation and antifungal-impregnated orthopedic beads or cement) may be resorted to in an attempt to optimize drug exposure while minimizing toxicities and/or drug interactions associated with conventional (systemic) administrations. Existing data regarding such administrations are mostly restricted to uncontrolled case reports of patients with diseases refractory to conventional therapies. Attribution of efficacy and tolerability is most often problematic. This review updates prior published summaries, reflecting the most recent data and its application by available prevention and treatment guidelines for invasive fungal infections. Of the various dosage forms and antifungals, perhaps none is more widely reported than the application of amphotericin B-containing aerosols for the prevention of invasive mold infections (notably Aspergillus spp.).