Bilateral endogenous Trichoderma endophthalmitis in an immunocompromised host

Abstract

Purpose: To report a case of bilateral endogenous endophthalmitis, caused by the Trichoderma species, in a severely immunocompromised patient. Observations: A 39-year-old man with acute myeloid leukemia, in a relapsed state on high-dose chemotherapy, experienced profound neutropenia and immunosuppression. The patient reported two weeks of severe bilateral vision loss. The diagnosis of bilateral endogenous endophthalmitis was initially established based on the patient's history, immune status, clinical findings, and confirmed positive vitreous culture.The patient was initially managed with vitreous tap, pars plana vitrectomy with silicone oil injection in the left eye, and vitreous tap and antibiotic injection of the right eye. Eventually, the right eye underwent pars plana vitrectomy as well. Cultures of the vitreous sample grew a filamentous fungus, identified as the Trichoderma species. His blood and urine culture tested negative. The patient was kept on systemic amphotericin B over 52 weeks, and his condition improved dramatically. Three months post phacoemulsification and silicone oil removal, best-corrected visual acuity values were 20/50 in both eyes. Conclusion and Importance: This is the first reported case of bilateral endogenous endophthalmitis, caused by the Trichoderma species, in an immunocompromised patient. Early recognition and intervention were associated with good functional and anatomical outcomes.

Keywords

• Endogenous endophthalmitis
• Fungal
• Trichoderma