Postoperative fungal endophthalmitis due to Basidiobolus ranarum: Report of a rare case

• Main Authors: Radha Annamalai, Anupma Jyoti Kindo, Muthukumar Muthayya
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2016-01-01
• Series: Journal of Clinical Ophthalmology and Research
• Subjects: Basidiobolusranarum; culture; fungus; intravitreal injection; postoperative endophthalmitis
• Online Access: http://www.jcor.in/article.asp?issn=2320-3897;year=2016;volume=4;issue=2;spage=89;epage=91;aulast=Annamalai

Postoperative fungal endophthalmitis is a significant cause of visual loss due to the rapid progress and severe inflammation. Management is dictated by the precise identification of fungus subspecies, choice of antifungal agent, and associated systemic features. We report a rare case caused by Basidiobolusranarum, never known to have caused endophthalmitis or any form of ocular infection or inflammation. A 59-year-old, Asian, immunocompetent, agriculturist presented with endophthalmitis on the 3 rd postoperative day. Smear and culture from the aqueous and vitreous samples detected a species of fungus called Basidiobolusranarum. Fungal endophthalmitis should be suspected even in patients who present in the early postoperative period and rare species considered even in immunocompetent individuals. Early detection and aggressive treatment is necessary for preventing morbidity or mortality due to these infections.