Fusarium endophthalmitis in an intravenous drug abuser

Am J Ophthalmol. 1996 Jul;122(1):119-21. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9394(14)71976-2.

Abstract

Purpose: We studied a case in which a patient had unilateral retinal infiltrates and a retinal vasculopathy resembling frosted branch angiitis. He later admitted to injecting cocaine intravenously.

Methods: The patient underwent a pars plana vitrectomy and received intravitreal and intravenous amphotericin B.

Results: The vitreous fluid grew Fusarium dimerium. There was rapid response to the treatment and full recovery of vision.

Conclusion: Fusarium species should be considered as a potential pathogen in intravenous drug abusers with endogenous endophthalmitis and in patients with unilateral frosted branch angiitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Amphotericin B / therapeutic use
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cocaine*
  • Endophthalmitis / microbiology*
  • Endophthalmitis / pathology
  • Endophthalmitis / therapy
  • Eye Infections, Fungal / etiology*
  • Eye Infections, Fungal / pathology
  • Eye Infections, Fungal / therapy
  • Fluorescein Angiography
  • Fundus Oculi
  • Fusarium* / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mycoses / etiology*
  • Mycoses / pathology
  • Mycoses / therapy
  • Substance Abuse, Intravenous / complications*
  • Vasculitis / etiology
  • Vitrectomy
  • Vitreous Body / microbiology

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Amphotericin B
  • Cocaine