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Endophthalmitis associated with fungal keratitis and penetrating injuries in North China

Purpose: To report the laboratory findings, management strategies, and visual outcomes of culture-proven exogenous fungal endophthalmitis in North China. Methods: The microbiological and treatment records of patients with culture-positive exogenous fungal endophthalmitis who visited the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from January 2012 to December 2016 were reviewed. Results: A total of 39 eyes (39 patients) were identified over a 5-year period. Exogenous fungal endophthalmitis was associated with penetrating trauma in 22 eyes (56.4%), fungal keratitis in 15 eyes (38.5%), and intraocular surgery in 2 eyes (5.1%). Hyphae were found in 29 of 37 smear samples (78.4%) by direct microscopic examination. Fungal pathogens cultured from 39 samples were identified as 10 genera and 15 species. Filamentous fungi (molds) accounted for 94.9% (37 samples), including Fusarium (19, 48.7%) and Aspergillus (11, 28.2%). Most keratitis cases were caused by Fusarium (11 of 15; 73.3 %). Aspergillus was isolated from nine penetrating ocular trauma cases (9 of 22; 40.9%). Three eyes receiving evisceration had fungal and bacteria coinfection (3 of 39, 7.7%) with Aspergillus and Bacillus. At least, one surgical intervention was performed in all 39 eyes and 28 (71.8%) eyes underwent two or more procedures, including surgeries and intraocular injections. Twenty-nine patients received intraocular antifungal therapy with amphotericin B and/or voriconazole. Visual acuity at discharge from the hospital was significantly better than the initial visual acuity (p < 0.001). Final vision of 20/400 or better was achieved in 22 (56.4%) eyes. Conclusions: This study highlighted the differences between clinical categories of exogenous fungal endophthalmitis. Trauma was the major etiological factor. Molds were the most common pathogens, with Fusarium ranking first, followed by Aspergillus. Fungal and bacterial coinfection mostly occurred after metal penetrating trauma, and Bacillus was the primary bacterial pathogen. Coinfection may be one reason of evisceration. Immediate intravitreal antifungal therapy combined with vitrectomy was effective for exogenous fungal endophthalmitis. Amphotericin B and voriconazole were commonly used antifungal agents.